Help with coolant
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Earth
Help with coolant
Ok I know (and have read) about the coolant flushing and all that stuff, however what I want help with is which brand of coolant to go with?
I want to get the CAT -EC1 coolant, I am thinking of switching to the red stuff, the main question is since I am doing a flush on both the truck and Mustang, is the EC1 (Diesel) rated coolants ok to use in a gas engine? or will I possibly harm things? reason I ask is I would like to have one coolant for all 4 cars (to minimize confusion of what "chemicals and additives" are needed for each one...The other reason for the switch is I am going to replace the coolant overflow tank (current one is getting quite brittle and I just feel better replacing it)
I want to get the CAT -EC1 coolant, I am thinking of switching to the red stuff, the main question is since I am doing a flush on both the truck and Mustang, is the EC1 (Diesel) rated coolants ok to use in a gas engine? or will I possibly harm things? reason I ask is I would like to have one coolant for all 4 cars (to minimize confusion of what "chemicals and additives" are needed for each one...The other reason for the switch is I am going to replace the coolant overflow tank (current one is getting quite brittle and I just feel better replacing it)
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2014
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From: Lake Hartwell, GA
Rotella ELC concentrate from TSC. Easy to acquire, good price and concentrate so you can get the rest of the fluid you need in distilled water.
I cannot say for sure EC-1 is ok on gas cars, but I do know VW gas engines take a certain coolant so I would be sure before I poured it into the Mustang.
I cannot say for sure EC-1 is ok on gas cars, but I do know VW gas engines take a certain coolant so I would be sure before I poured it into the Mustang.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Northern California
according to this article ford designed the new mustang to use OAT coolant.
Check your manual and see what coolant ford specs for your year.
Ford moves to single engine coolant for worldwide use - SAE International
"Ford' two new gasoline V8s, the 5.0-L used in the Mustang and the 6.2-L for F-series trucks, as well as the new 6.7-L diesel V8, have been designed to minimize water pump cavitation. So they are being filled with the OAT right from the start."
Check your manual and see what coolant ford specs for your year.
Ford moves to single engine coolant for worldwide use - SAE International
"Ford' two new gasoline V8s, the 5.0-L used in the Mustang and the 6.2-L for F-series trucks, as well as the new 6.7-L diesel V8, have been designed to minimize water pump cavitation. So they are being filled with the OAT right from the start."
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Northern California
What is the difference between the injector cups on early and late motors ?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Delta, CO
The sealant used is the "problem" on the e99.
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It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Elk Grove, CA
If it's not an E99, I'd get the ELC that meets CAT spec and is locally available cheap.
Just recently Stewart H posted up that the Zerex version of Ford Gold now meets that spec. I do not know if the formula of the coolant changed or if they just never tested it before. Cheaper than red ELCs also. My 02 came with gold and I've used the Zerex version without issue. Like the red ELC you do not need a coolant filter with it.
Just recently Stewart H posted up that the Zerex version of Ford Gold now meets that spec. I do not know if the formula of the coolant changed or if they just never tested it before. Cheaper than red ELCs also. My 02 came with gold and I've used the Zerex version without issue. Like the red ELC you do not need a coolant filter with it.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
The following information from Gooch pertains to why ELC's are not recommended for use in early '99 7.3L PSD's.
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Mostly it's the injector cups. International, who made the engine, found some compatibility issues with the older injector cup material, sensors, front cover, seals, gaskets, o-rings, and probably some other stuff when using coolants that contained organic acid technology (OAT). Coolants like ELC's (usually Red) and G-05 (usually Gold) will have these OAT's. Conventional coolants (usually Green) will not.
So International revised those components on all 2/2/99-up build engines (SN 940614-up), and began recommending and factory filling with HD ELC coolants mid-year 2000. Never looked back.
You could use HD ELC's in the older engines, but you run the risk of having to replace the cups and maybe some other stuff. I always try to recommend conventional coolant meeting ASTM D4985 with SCA or a pre-charged conventional coolant meeting ASTM D6210 for those. But it's your call, and some owners use the ELC in their older engine successfully. For the 2/2/99-up builds I would highly recommend upgrading to HD ELC.
BTW, if you need to check the build date of your engine, you can find it on the valve-cover tag (driver's side), or stamped on a machined surface on the underside of the engine, behind the oil filter and just ahead of the bell-housing cover. You may need to wire brush/clean it to read it.
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Stewart
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Mostly it's the injector cups. International, who made the engine, found some compatibility issues with the older injector cup material, sensors, front cover, seals, gaskets, o-rings, and probably some other stuff when using coolants that contained organic acid technology (OAT). Coolants like ELC's (usually Red) and G-05 (usually Gold) will have these OAT's. Conventional coolants (usually Green) will not.
So International revised those components on all 2/2/99-up build engines (SN 940614-up), and began recommending and factory filling with HD ELC coolants mid-year 2000. Never looked back.
You could use HD ELC's in the older engines, but you run the risk of having to replace the cups and maybe some other stuff. I always try to recommend conventional coolant meeting ASTM D4985 with SCA or a pre-charged conventional coolant meeting ASTM D6210 for those. But it's your call, and some owners use the ELC in their older engine successfully. For the 2/2/99-up builds I would highly recommend upgrading to HD ELC.
BTW, if you need to check the build date of your engine, you can find it on the valve-cover tag (driver's side), or stamped on a machined surface on the underside of the engine, behind the oil filter and just ahead of the bell-housing cover. You may need to wire brush/clean it to read it.
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Stewart
One thing that importantly needs to be corrected, and a mistake than many misinformed people make, is that not all OAT coolants are like what GM uses. GM typically uses a "Dexcool" formulation, which is specifically NOT recommended for your diesel engine. Dexcool type coolants were never intended for diesel applications. There are many modern Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolants specifically designed for diesels. Delo ELC, Rotella ELC, International's Fleetrite ELC, CAT ELC, Mobil 1 ELC, and a host of others. They will address diesel cavitatation, provide superior metal corrosion protection, provide better heat transfer, require no testing and maintenance, be free of harmful abrasive silicates, borates, and phosphates, and have an operating life up to 1 million miles (Delo ELC). In fact International, who made your engine, recommends and factory-fills with these Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolants (Fleetrite ELC/Shell Rotella ELC). And in fact almost all heavy duty diesel manufacturers use Heavy Duty ELC's meeting the most strict requirements in the industry...Caterpillar's EC-1. Very little to do with GM's OAT coolant.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 478
Likes: 10
From: Minnesota
I think the idea is that"Dex cool" and "universal" coolants are no bueno. Regular old ethylene glycol green is okay in all Ford diesels, when properly treated and maintained with SCA's. Pre charged ethylene glycol like fleet charge, also okay; it's the same as the former you just avoid treating it the first time. And HD ELC's are good juju in late 99 and after trucks. Because, maintenance free.
Pre mixed is okay for top off.
For a complete fill after a drain and flush pre mixed will yield a weak solution. As you won't get all the water out of the block.
Pre mixed is okay for top off.
For a complete fill after a drain and flush pre mixed will yield a weak solution. As you won't get all the water out of the block.
More Turbo
Joined: May 2016
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2. You will want to add 2 Pints of Ford Fluid VC-8 Diesel Cooling System Additive.
3. Check your system annually (or @ 15,000 Miles) using Fleetguard 3-Way Test Strips (or similar) a week following fluid change to determine serviceability to ensure you have the proper level.
4. Either Fleetguard, International, or Cummins (They're all the same specification) has anything you need.
I have been running my Glycol Green Motorcraft Fluid for six years and it's just now showing wear. I use a Refractometer, pH Test Strips, Electrolysis Tester, and Fleetguard Test Strips twice annually on all four vehicles. And, have been doing so since 1988 with no issues whatsoever.
Don't believe all the "hype" about ELC's. Ford has a Broadcast Message (BROADCAST MESSAGE 2013-04-03 / DISTRIBUTION - "G" (All Service Centers)) saying RED ELC's require annual testing for SCA's now on all 6.0L and later Diesel Engines due to premature "package additive" failure.
*The BIGGEST destroyer of Glycol Based Fluids is HEAT. So long as you're engine does not overheat under load you're good to go. Heat is 250*F or higher.