Mixing Coolant
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Denver,CO
Mixing Coolant
Hey guys,
Just got the Excursion back from the shop and had the odd #'d injectors replaced. Truck runs great, but looking at the invoice they charged me for ONE gallon of Mopar gold coolant.
Now I've been running the Zerex Red EC-1 ELC coolant for a couple of years and I know that one gallon of coolant isn't enough to do a full flush, so they must have mixed it. I'm going to assume that the two are incompatible. Back me up on that before I go back and have them do a fluid flush and change for me?
Thanks!
Chris
Just got the Excursion back from the shop and had the odd #'d injectors replaced. Truck runs great, but looking at the invoice they charged me for ONE gallon of Mopar gold coolant.
Now I've been running the Zerex Red EC-1 ELC coolant for a couple of years and I know that one gallon of coolant isn't enough to do a full flush, so they must have mixed it. I'm going to assume that the two are incompatible. Back me up on that before I go back and have them do a fluid flush and change for me?
Thanks!
Chris
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Rothesay, New Brunswick
I've heard different stories on the dangers of mixing coolant, but as far as I know they're just stories. I would make them flush and refill with the proper coolant either way since that is what they should have done in the first place.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,066
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From: North Texas
I believe the chemical makeup matters more. If they are both Hybrid Organic coolants, shouldn't be an issue. But mixing organic coolants with non organic can cause trouble. I would research the coolants and see what they are made up of. I would also ask them why they chose that particular coolant. That might be the answer you need to make up your mind.
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Junior User
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From: Denver,CO
Thx for the feedback. Here is what I found on the Zerex EC1 stuff
http://content.valvoline.com/pdf/Zer...l_Bulletin.pdf
And this is the Mopar stuff they apparently used
http://www.moparinternational.com/as..._19Dec2014.pdf
Zerex has organic inhibitors and the Mopar stuff doesn't. That's how I read it. Probably not critical, but they should have known better.
http://content.valvoline.com/pdf/Zer...l_Bulletin.pdf
ZEREX™ Extended Life HD is compatible
with major long life and conventional brands of ethylene
glycol based coolant. However, long life characteristics may
be diminished by mixing with light duty or non-fully
formulated coolants.
with major long life and conventional brands of ethylene
glycol based coolant. However, long life characteristics may
be diminished by mixing with light duty or non-fully
formulated coolants.
http://www.moparinternational.com/as..._19Dec2014.pdf
Ethylene glycol-based five-year formulation to prevent freeze-up and boilover
while inhibiting corrosion. Only for vehicles factory filled with 5-
year/100,000-mile coolant
while inhibiting corrosion. Only for vehicles factory filled with 5-
year/100,000-mile coolant
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Northern California
Thx for the feedback. Here is what I found on the Zerex EC1 stuff
http://content.valvoline.com/pdf/Zer...l_Bulletin.pdf
And this is the Mopar stuff they apparently used
http://www.moparinternational.com/as..._19Dec2014.pdf
Zerex has organic inhibitors and the Mopar stuff doesn't. That's how I read it. Probably not critical, but they should have known better.
http://content.valvoline.com/pdf/Zer...l_Bulletin.pdf
And this is the Mopar stuff they apparently used
http://www.moparinternational.com/as..._19Dec2014.pdf
Zerex has organic inhibitors and the Mopar stuff doesn't. That's how I read it. Probably not critical, but they should have known better.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
This is exactly correct.
To the OP, If they had mixed in either a traditional "green" Ford coolant or the Ford "Gold" hybrid coolant, you wouldn't have to worry.
However, because they used a non-Ford coolant, I would demand reimbursement for a complete flush and refill of your Heavy Duty OAT "red" coolant. But I'd do the work myself.
No, there's no issue. Not if you mean mixing a traditional "green" coolant with either a Hybrid OAT coolant (like the Ford "Gold" or Zerex G-05) or a "red" Heavy Duty OAT coolant. All that will happen is, if the too much of the "green" or "Gold" is added to the "red" then the OAT "red" will lose it's ability to protect cavitation through it's acid based technology.
Yep, I'd insist on it.
Stewart
To the OP, If they had mixed in either a traditional "green" Ford coolant or the Ford "Gold" hybrid coolant, you wouldn't have to worry.
However, because they used a non-Ford coolant, I would demand reimbursement for a complete flush and refill of your Heavy Duty OAT "red" coolant. But I'd do the work myself.
No, there's no issue. Not if you mean mixing a traditional "green" coolant with either a Hybrid OAT coolant (like the Ford "Gold" or Zerex G-05) or a "red" Heavy Duty OAT coolant. All that will happen is, if the too much of the "green" or "Gold" is added to the "red" then the OAT "red" will lose it's ability to protect cavitation through it's acid based technology.
Stewart
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: Denver,CO
Thanks guys.
The stuff they used is on the second link - 68048953AB per the invoice.
I pulled some out of the degas bottle and it is an orange color instead of the red. So they def mixed it in. I'll give them a call tomorrow and see what they'll do.
The stuff they used is on the second link - 68048953AB per the invoice.
I pulled some out of the degas bottle and it is an orange color instead of the red. So they def mixed it in. I'll give them a call tomorrow and see what they'll do.
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Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
From my "Gooch" coolant information thread:
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.
No where has Ford said you can not use a heavy duty ELC in your Powerstroke....The only coolants in the Owner's Manual Ford recommends you don't use are Dexcool and Ford's Specialty Orange.
Stewart
No where has Ford said you can not use a heavy duty ELC in your Powerstroke....The only coolants in the Owner's Manual Ford recommends you don't use are Dexcool and Ford's Specialty Orange.
Stewart
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From: Northern California
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 346
From: Northern California
That is why it is embittered, sure they say so your dog and kids doesn't drink it but it's really the owners.
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