coolant additive

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Jan 3, 2004 | 10:03 PM

R. B.

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coolant additive

Hello,

I have a 93 f-350 7.3 and I could not find any fw-16 today and was wondering if the prestone additive at wally word will work. The jug says it forms a thermal barrier to protect against cavitation and rust.

Thanks, Robert

Jan 4, 2004 | 02:18 PM

dieselzen

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From: Alabama Gulf Coast

Hi Robert,

First off, you have to go to a Ford dealership to get the FW-16. That is it's part number for the additive.
Regarding the Prestone additive you're refering to, I only found something called " Super Anti-Rust " and something called "Cooling System Treatment". Neither blurb mentioned anything about cavitation or protection from it. Another thing to consider is Prestone's products are created for the same corporation which markets Autolite and Fram. Personally, I wouldn't touch it as I'd expect the same lack of quality engineering is universal.
You might try NAPA. They have a nitrile coolant additive called NAPAKool, Part#4058, and the test strips to keep the solution correct, Part#4107. Check out these pages for some impartial info on SCA's (cavitation additives):

http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif.../SCA-Part1.htm

http://www.imcool.com/articles/antif.../SCA-Part2.htm

Also check out DIS for an alternative place to buy the FW-16:

http://www.dieselpage.com/motorfw16.htm

Hope this helps, R.A.

Last edited by dieselzen; Jan 4, 2004 at 02:27 PM.

Jan 4, 2004 | 04:13 PM

R. B.

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Thanks R. A.

Now I would like to know what kind of antifreeze would best suit my needs. Too much technical info on the pages you sent. I live in Okla. andd pull stock trailer and travel trailer sometimes other than that it's mostly just highway miles. I do not know if this block has ever had and additive in it as I bought it used 5 years ago and I never heard of such a thing. I have to replace my radiator and this would be a good time to get it all. Thanks in advance.

Jan 4, 2004 | 07:30 PM

dieselzen

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From: Alabama Gulf Coast

R.B.,

You want to use a heavy duty coolant rated for diesels, and LOW in silicates. If it says on the jug that it meets "ASTM-D4985" you've got what you need.
If you haven't got pinholes yet, then now is an excellent time to make the additive a part of your truck's maintenance. R.A.

Jan 5, 2004 | 09:26 PM

bilder12

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From: Northeastern Pa - USA

There are test strips available and also a kit used to test the dca of the coolant. It is possible to overdo it. Probably your internatiional dealer, napa or some other heavy truck dealer could help you out with the test kit (strips).

Jan 5, 2004 | 11:02 PM

dieselzen

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From: Alabama Gulf Coast

Yeah, like bilder12 says, those test strips are a MUST to keep the solution not too much ( will cause the water pump seal to fail ) and not too little (won't protect against cavitation). R.A.