Random question for today.
Has or does anyone add the Specialty Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer for the heck of it?

The coolant tests on my truck have failed on both systems at 65,000 miles so am wondering if I add whatever amount is needed to each at 30,000 in an attempt to extend the life. I know the revitalizer can be added up to two times.

The dealer is flushing and filling today (with distilled water at my request). I missed my last scheduled coolant check so it's been at least 25,000. Based on that I decided that's the best route this time and all I can do is trust their recommendation since I don't have a way to test it.

The problem now is, the manual states to change it at every 45,000 from now on so I am disappointed the coolant didn't make it to at least 100,000.
I suspect the 45k recommendation is because Ford assumes tap water is used.
I dropped it off for a mirror issue and low coolant so had I known, I would have supplied my own water.

Oh well, enough babbling.

 

That is my plan for the duration kper, add it every 30,000 miles and don't even bother checking it. Mine passed every time up to 65,000 miles but I added it at 50,000 anyway. I never got any farther because I got new coolant with new rad around 65,000 then new coolant again with new turbo at around 70,000.

 

Why would ford assume that tap water would be used?

Every maintenance procedure expressly states that only deionized water or distilled water should be used.

I've never tested mine, never got any message screen saying to check it. And of course once my radiator sprung a leak I was replacing coolant on a regular basis so I guess anything missing was getting replenished.

 

Oh, and everyone knows that you can use readily available dexcool instead of the more expensive ford vc-3b, right?

The ford spec number is even printed on the label of dexcool now.

 

I shouldn't say I know what Ford thinks but what I know is some shops (we'll not stick to Ford here) fill from the tap.
There must be a reason for the 45k cap. Why would fresh coolant and distilled water not make it as long as factory? Not that factory is making it that long either.

The XL and XLT do not report coolant checks.

 

Most, if not all, refill with tap water.

 

Dealer messed up my 2011 and they ended up flushing and filling often. I don't know why the factory thinks 100k miles for the first run and then 45k from then on.

Failing both tests usually means flushing and refilling with fresh coolant, at least I thought that is what the test strips said....

 

And that causes issues with the OAT coolant, makes for deposits and failures.