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Test coolant strips

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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 10:38 AM
  #1  
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Test coolant strips

Came across this,is this the correct two test kits we need for our trucks? Ive pasted what the kit contains.It provides two strips of each for 35 delivered.I honestly cant see why I need to test at 12,500 miles but for this price I will.Prolly could get dealer to do it t no charge but I dont want to drive 25 miles each way to do a 15 minute test.

3-Way HD Antifreeze and ELC Contamination

The Acustrip ELC4048 series combines two of our most popular tests to evaluate the condition of the Extended Life Coolant in a single kit. The kit contains two R071-ELC (Ford Rotunda Part Number 328-071ELC) tests and two CTS-3 (Ford Rotunda part number 328-2050) strips. The kit is suitable for testing all OAT-based (NOAT and HOAT) coolants for one vehicle. The three-way 2050 test strip measures Glycol, Molybdate and Nitrite while the R071-ELC test strips are the quickest, most efficient way to measure the purity and test for contamination of your extended life coolant. The series is available as individual kits or in master cases of 24 complete with pipette, vial, test key and instructions.
 
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 12:56 PM
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That's the kit I used. I got it from Diesel filters on-line and the first Kit had the contents in a couple of the vials leak out and soak into the test strip wrapping. It took two weeks to get another kit. If you get it directly from Acustrip, it shouldn't be an issue.
 
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Old Nov 20, 2014 | 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 2011F-250KR
That's the kit I used. I got it from Diesel filters on-line and the first Kit had the contents in a couple of the vials leak out and soak into the test strip wrapping. It took two weeks to get another kit. If you get it directly from Acustrip, it shouldn't be an issue.
Ok thanks,yeah it was directly from acustrip.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2014 | 08:23 PM
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My check additive warning came on yesterday at 13,350 miles. Thanks for the info you posted. I ordered the kit from Acustrip for $34.95 to my door.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2014 | 09:55 PM
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Now I don't feel to bad. I had my truck in getting some new hubs warrantied and asked them to check the coolant while they had it since the check coolant came on while heading to the dealer. They ended up charging me 40 bucks. I thought that was kind a high, but I guess not if the test kit is 35 bucks.
 
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Old Nov 29, 2014 | 10:03 PM
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Yeah, the dealer price is reasonable if you're already there anyway. My next free oil change isn't for another 3,000 miles, so I figured I would do it myself on my next days off.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 09:31 AM
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I just cleared the message the first time. Figure I will test the second time. At 13K miles I didn't feel the need to test it.
 
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Old Nov 30, 2014 | 04:37 PM
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My first impulse was to clear and ignore it, but I wanted to see how it was done. Since it wasn't terribly expensive, I figured I would check it out for myself.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 08:44 AM
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Ok si ive searched and I find different points of view on this.

Can I take both samples from degas bottle?
I know one of the tests its fine to but the other says from petcock drain.I went under truck and turned petcock drain that is on drivers side 1/4 turn and no coolant.It stopped at 1/4 turn and im afraid to put anymore torque on it for fear of breaking the plastic p.o.s.
So thats why im sitting here thinking of just taking both samples from degas.I dont see any difference from either location.It ALL circulates right? Im prolly missing a very good reason not to take it from degas bottle.Please enlighten me.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 08:46 AM
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The primary is the degas bottle.


Since it is part of the cooling system (not an overflow) I have always tested from there.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by senix
The primary is the degas bottle.


Since it is part of the cooling system (not an overflow) I have always tested from there.
Tanks Scott.Much easier to take from there anyways.
 
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 09:14 AM
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You are "supposed" to test at the pet*****.
That is almost impossible to do easily.

Youtube has several videos with ford techs doing the test, and all use the degas bottles.

So which is better? Not doing it at all because it is too hard? Or testing at the required interval because it is easy?

I'll go with easy.
BTW, if you order kits form someplace like DieselFIltersOnline.com keep in mind the $34 "two test" kit is one complete kit to test one vehicle one time.

So, that makes the ten test kit a much better value.

Search Results
 
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by porthole
You are "supposed" to test at the pet*****.
That is almost impossible to do easily.

Youtube has several videos with ford techs doing the test, and all use the degas bottles.

So which is better? Not doing it at all because it is too hard? Or testing at the required interval because it is easy?

I'll go with easy.
BTW, if you order kits form someplace like DieselFIltersOnline.com keep in mind the $34 "two test" kit is one complete kit to test one vehicle one time.

So, that makes the ten test kit a much better value.

Search Results
Ill go with easy too,but the two test kit is actually for two complete tests.I have it in hand right now.There are two complete test kits.It does both tests twice each.I got my directly from accustrip for 34 shipped.I did the two test kit cuz the strips will expire befor I get to a third test due to low miles driven yearly.

I shouldve gone with my gut and skipped the first test at 12,500 miles and saved the money.I knew it was going to pass.No way it should fail at 12.5 k... But I guess I have piece of mind...I guess....
 
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by rtazz17
Ill go with easy too,but the two test kit is actually for two complete tests.I have it in hand right now.There are two complete test kits.It does both tests twice each.I got my directly from accustrip for 34 shipped.I did the two test kit cuz the strips will expire befor I get to a third test due to low miles driven yearly.

I shouldve gone with my gut and skipped the first test at 12,500 miles and saved the money.I knew it was going to pass.No way it should fail at 12.5 k... But I guess I have piece of mind...I guess....
The kit I got this past summer was a two test kit.
Two tests for each of two systems. So in effect, one complete test of 4 individual tests.

Maybe they repackaged the kit. But that $34 is what I paid for one "two test" kit.

Here is a page explaining some of the testing:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12741319
 
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Old Dec 2, 2014 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by porthole
The kit I got this past summer was a two test kit.
Two tests for each of two systems. So in effect, one complete test of 4 individual tests.

Maybe they repackaged the kit. But that $34 is what I paid for one "two test" kit.

Here is a page explaining some of the testing:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12741319
Ok Im an idiot.I understand what you are saying now.Looks like I have another full test to do on secondary system.I knew there were two cooling systems on these trucks but it didnt click in my head till reading your post.Thanks!
 
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