Coolant flush
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 2,338
Likes: 255
From: Livermore Ca.
I have had this happen to my truck and i took it to the dealer and they said that just reset it. I have had the dealer check to make sure the antifreeze is ok. I wouldn't do this at home. So much easier to have the dealer do it. Call them and see how much they charge you might be surprised. Sure you can save some money for sure but then you have to make sure the air is out and then you have to get rid of the old antifreeze. Dealer has a machine that does this and it's slick.
New User
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Has anyone heard that Ford has replaced orange coolant? I had mine flushed today as it was looking murky 2016 F350 with 40K. Dealer recommended due to age. It still look murky so I called the dealer and they said ford now recommends a green/yellow coolant and thats why it is still murky, He said they pushed 4 gallons thru it, funny they charged for 6. I heard to never mix coolant and this doesn't seem legit to me.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: New Braunfels, TX
Has anyone heard that Ford has replaced orange coolant? I had mine flushed today as it was looking murky 2016 F350 with 40K. Dealer recommended due to age. It still look murky so I called the dealer and they said ford now recommends a green/yellow coolant and thats why it is still murky, He said they pushed 4 gallons thru it, funny they charged for 6. I heard to never mix coolant and this doesn't seem legit to me.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
The Motorcraft Orange is discontinued. If you want to stay with orange then any Dexcool coolant works because that's all the Motorcraft Orange was. You can also do a ELC and not worry about it again. We service them all with Rotella or Delo nitrate free ELC at work and have for the last 8 years.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: New Braunfels, TX
Thanks for the info. When you say you can do an ELC and not worry about it, do you mean the Rotunda ELC contamination test? I was targeting a coolant replacement because of the 105K mile service interval.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Once you go ELC its done for the life of the engine, no testing no maintenance. Just don't top it off with a different coolant or you will shorten the life cycle. The coolant will outlive any of these engines because it has a 12k Hr 600k mile change interval.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: New Braunfels, TX
I see Rotella sells ELC as well as ELC NF, NitrITE Free. Delo sells ELC and product description claims it is NitrATE Free. Confusing. Most manufacturers of Orange coolant classify it as ELC too.
It appears NitrITES are not a problem for these systems but NitrATES are. A yellow coolant meeting the specs from this chart looks like what you are referring to as being maintenance free for the remaining life of the engine (assuming it is less than 600k).
Thank you for the info.
It appears NitrITES are not a problem for these systems but NitrATES are. A yellow coolant meeting the specs from this chart looks like what you are referring to as being maintenance free for the remaining life of the engine (assuming it is less than 600k).
Thank you for the info.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
Yes the Ford yellow is Ford's new ELC. We buy Delo or Rotella because of availability and cost at work. Chevron actually now has a website and ships directly and the prices are good. NAPA actually has the Rotella ELC on sale this month for 12.99 a gallon on concentrate.
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More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 45
From: Lansing, MI
So if I attempt a coolant change at home and thus not flushing 100 percent of my orange coolant out of my system can I use the new yellow stuff even though there will some orange coolant still in the system? I'm at 90k and have added revitalizer at least once and maybe twice. Thinking this will be a spring 2021 project.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
So if I attempt a coolant change at home and thus not flushing 100 percent of my orange coolant out of my system can I use the new yellow stuff even though there will some orange coolant still in the system? I'm at 90k and have added revitalizer at least once and maybe twice. Thinking this will be a spring 2021 project.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 26
From: BA, OK
If Ford doesn't feel it's necessary to flush then I wouldn't be concerned. I will be changing my Orange coolant to Yellow as soon as my coolant doesn't pass the tests.
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant...patability.pdf
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant...patability.pdf
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
If Ford doesn't feel it's necessary to flush then I wouldn't be concerned. I will be changing my Orange coolant to Yellow as soon as my coolant doesn't pass the tests.
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant...patability.pdf
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant...patability.pdf
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 147
Likes: 2
From: New Braunfels, TX
Yes the Ford yellow is Ford's new ELC. We buy Delo or Rotella because of availability and cost at work. Chevron actually now has a website and ships directly and the prices are good. NAPA actually has the Rotella ELC on sale this month for 12.99 a gallon on concentrate.
***EDIT***
Sure enough, when I changed my area code to 90210, it appeared on the NAPA website, but at $14.99/gal for Rotella ELC NF concentrate. Still a good price. Added to cart and changed back to my area code and they will be ready for pickup tomorrow. Who knows...
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