Coolant Additive Test Strips
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2020
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Coolant Additive Test Strips
I just got this message on my 2015 6.7L. I read that it is just a run time reminder to check the coolant condition. Where do you guys get your test strips to do this? What are the best ones to get? Thanks in advance!
John
John
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2019
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The new coolant is yellow. The previous coolant was orange. I don't think Ford is even selling the orange coolant anymore. Once you go yellow, you never have to worry about testing it again.
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2019
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What you may be seeing is the orange and yellow coolant mixed together. When I picked my truck up from the dealership after the coolant flush, I immediately popped the hood to make sure that it had been done. What I saw was a neon pink color in both of the coolant reservoirs. I asked them to do it again, because it obviously hadn't been flushed. When I came back the second time I inspected again and found a slightly more yellow colored coolant. I started to question the tech's experience and was told that they let it drip out for an hour. I explained to them that was not a "Flush", but merely a drain and refill. They told me it would run around $800 I think, in order to do a full flush. I told the SA that he needed to explain that from the get-go. They can't charge for a flush if they aren't going to actually flush it.
Tuned
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: West Michigan
So, here is my take on the testing. First off the notice comes up just like change oil soon. There is a reset in the menus to make that go away, at the same place as the fuel filter reminder. In my 2011 i was **** about testing the coolant, never came up bad. I personally dont test it any more, and if I did it would only be after service to the cooling system was done, or some other major event.
Others will likely disagree, and thats fine. My point is that it is nothing to fret about if you skip it occasionally.
Others will likely disagree, and thats fine. My point is that it is nothing to fret about if you skip it occasionally.
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Depends upon what you are testing. If you are testing for coolant to water mix, that normally doesn't change over time if you're not adding to it or losing any. A refractometer will show you that. The freeze and boil-over protection is nearly forever. There is also a lubricant for the water pump bearings and seals. That's a pretty sturdy additive. The one additive that is consumed is the corrosion inhibitor. It is consumed because the liquid acts as an electrolyte and as the various metals swap electrons, they degrade and corrode. The additive stops this and is consumed in the process. The test strips will show you that as a change in acidity in the liquid. I keep test strips around and test brake fluid and coolant every year.
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