How to determine coolant type?
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: NH
How to determine coolant type?
Hi guys,
I bought my truck a year ago from the second owner, and he did give me service records. I can see the coolant was changed, but the type was not listed. In the bottle, I can see its pink / red in color. I plan to change the coolant filter this spring, and I'll lose a small amount of coolant from what's in the filter. What should I refill with to match?
Thanks in advance
I bought my truck a year ago from the second owner, and he did give me service records. I can see the coolant was changed, but the type was not listed. In the bottle, I can see its pink / red in color. I plan to change the coolant filter this spring, and I'll lose a small amount of coolant from what's in the filter. What should I refill with to match?
Thanks in advance
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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My suggestion would be to download the owners manual to see what coolant is called for (plus it's good to have it around).
since you're not sure what the prior owner put in there, if it were me, I'd do a full drain and flush with the new proper coolant.
since you're not sure what the prior owner put in there, if it were me, I'd do a full drain and flush with the new proper coolant.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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Yeah - don't go by the owners manual. The Ford Gold coolant is a marginal coolant, AT BEST.
You almost certainly have an Extended Life coolant. I doubt that you would have an issue with any of the major brands of EC-1 rated ELC coolant.
If you are concerned about it, then do a series of distilled water flushes followed by a short drive cycle (enough to get good coolant circulation and full engine heat). Then fill with what you want.
You almost certainly have an Extended Life coolant. I doubt that you would have an issue with any of the major brands of EC-1 rated ELC coolant.
If you are concerned about it, then do a series of distilled water flushes followed by a short drive cycle (enough to get good coolant circulation and full engine heat). Then fill with what you want.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: Jersey Shore
I don't mix coolants, so if I needed to "top off", it would be distilled water. Unless you DO know what's in there.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Fresno, CA
You'll lose very little with doing a coolant filter with the typical heater hose -> degas bottle piping arrangement. Some kits include shutoff valves at the filter so you lose even less. I would just top off with distilled water. It's a 7-gal cooling system so you're not going to reduce the concentration much.
Do you know the age of the coolant? I believe the recommended interval is 3yrs on the ELC and with the potential for issues with a 6.0 I wouldn't push it beyond that. Probably best to just drain, flush with distilled and top off with new so you know what's in there and can mix accordingly down the road.
I went with Shella ELC as it was in stock at the local Napa and had the lowest price. It's a lighter shade of red than the Zerex & CAT stuff, almost orangish (still very different than Dexcool however).
Also, I like checking the coolant concentration with a refractrometer. Not expensive and very useful to checking your concentration.
Do you know the age of the coolant? I believe the recommended interval is 3yrs on the ELC and with the potential for issues with a 6.0 I wouldn't push it beyond that. Probably best to just drain, flush with distilled and top off with new so you know what's in there and can mix accordingly down the road.
I went with Shella ELC as it was in stock at the local Napa and had the lowest price. It's a lighter shade of red than the Zerex & CAT stuff, almost orangish (still very different than Dexcool however).
Also, I like checking the coolant concentration with a refractrometer. Not expensive and very useful to checking your concentration.
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Thread Starter
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: NH
Looking at the records, I believe it does say ELC but its hand-written mechanic scrawl so who knows.
Problem with changing it...how do you dispose of old coolant? Nobody around here I know of takes coolant, and there will be a lot of it.
Problem with changing it...how do you dispose of old coolant? Nobody around here I know of takes coolant, and there will be a lot of it.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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Send it down the drain (but not to a septic system), it is biodegradable. I have a clean-out cap (most people do) on the sewer line. Best place for it IMO. I don't particularly like pouring it into the toilet.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: CA
QUOTE
Problem with changing it...how do you dispose of old coolant? Nobody around here I know of takes coolant, and there will be a lot of it.[/QUOTE]
Check with your city or county, sometimes they do hazardous waste pick ups and it tends to be free.
Problem with changing it...how do you dispose of old coolant? Nobody around here I know of takes coolant, and there will be a lot of it.[/QUOTE]
Check with your city or county, sometimes they do hazardous waste pick ups and it tends to be free.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: NH
That seems like a massive no-no in my town. I know some of the crew at the wastewater treatment plant, and that facility only treats bacteria and removes solids before discharging into a river. They have a hazardous waste collection day once a year, and antifreeze is on the list. I just don't want to store a ton of it; maybe time it around that point.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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That seems like a massive no-no in my town. I know some of the crew at the wastewater treatment plant, and that facility only treats bacteria and removes solids before discharging into a river. They have a hazardous waste collection day once a year, and antifreeze is on the list. I just don't want to store a ton of it; maybe time it around that point.
Oils (which float) are a separate issue.
The BIG no-no is to discharge it to a storm sewer. Rainwater run-off receives little to no treatment before discharge.