Last week I received some Fleetguard coolant test strips so I could check my freeze point, SCA, etc. The strips showed no results whatsoever.

I read on this and other forums that certain types of coolants cannot be tested with the Fleetguard strips. So I got out my old hydrometer-type tester (the kind with the floating *****) and it gave me a freeze point reading.

My question is whether any of you can help me identify the coolant that is in my truck. It is a clear lemon yellow color. I know I need to add coolant since the freeze point is too low for upcoming Kentucky weather but I don't know what kind to buy.

I also need to know what I have so I can get the proper type with or without SCA.

Thanks.

 

What is your truck info? How many miles on it? Are you the original owner? To your knowledge, has the coolant ever been replaced?

 

Topic 1444 in this form #13 by The Diesel Dude, may have the info you wan't.

 

Well I went to page 13 and looked for topic 1444 and I couldn't find it.
Your truck has the new coolant which doesn't require the additive and you don't need the test srrips. I think this stuff is good for 100,000 miles (check your owners manual). It is a product of Valvoline (so I've been told) and, as far as I know, you'll have to get it from the parts department from Ford. If anybody knows a cheaper place to buy it, I'm sure they'll post it here.

 

Dale,
The truck is a 96 F250 4X4, 178K, which I bought in May (2nd owner -- and I have no info from the previous owner), and I don't know anything about the coolant's history. Thus my question.

Joe,
I read your post in Topic 1444 (thanks gseeders for the reference). And from your reply to my post am I correct in understanding that you think I have the new Ford factory coolant which doesn't require additives (SCA or otherwise)? My 96 owner's manual says to add FW15 (now FW16).

If it is the new coolant, do I just check freeze point and nothing else?

Thanks.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Sep-02 AT 02:22 PM (EST)]larry50 -- If it is true that your engine currently has OAT (organic acid technology) ELC (extended life coolant) in it, you should probably change it out to a low silicate SCA forumula. According to [link:internationaldelivers.com/news_room/default.asp?pr=press_083100_coolant.html|this article] put out by International/Navistar the ELC coolants with OAT, they should only be used on engines produced after Feb. 2, 1999, because of seal incompatabilities.

On 94-97 Trucks an ethylene low silicate formula is recommended with an SCA level between 1.5 and 2.5. You may also want to check your pH at times and if you climb into the 9 or 10 range you can add a cup of plain white vinegar to bring it back to a nuetral 7.0.

Most International or Cummins Dealers will have Fleetguard #CC-2820 which is an ethylene formula that has a pre-mixed SCA level of 2.5. They call it ELC because it comes with the maximum amount of SCA, but it is not like other ELC's because it contains no organic acid and will still need to be tested for SCA levels. It is a concentrate formula you can mix 50/50 with deionized water from the grocery store. You may want to call first because they may have to order it. Because of the environmental movement a lot of shops are carrying propylene formulas instead of the ethylene these days.

If you have trouble finding it, NAPA stores carry a commercial coolant that is a low silicate formula, but it does not contain SCA so you will have to add it as you fill your system. Each pint of SCA should raise your total SCA level approx. 0.8, so for a total flush and fill you will use about 4 bottles. You will want to re-check it after a couple weeks to make sure your initial charge is still valid.

As you drain, make sure to pull the plugs on either side of the motor (you can reach the one over the starter with a long extension and a socket without removing the starter) and flush the block also.

Hope that helps...

 

I was under the incorrect assumption that if your truck already had the yellow stuff in it that it was put there by the factory. We made a change to the water pump and front cover gaskets to accomodate the new coolant (I don't have the serial number break in front of me but I'll try to find it for you). International uses the OAT (red) coolant but Ford uses the ELC (yellow) stuff. The official reccommendation is to run whatever your truck came with from the factory because the radiators and heater cores have clamp on tanks sealed by o-rings and (presumably) the o-rings are not compatable with the new coolant. If I were going to take a chance and change my coolant to a non-factory reccommended coolant, I'd use the red stuff because of the low silicates.

 

Thanks everyone for the info. Looks like I'll have to flush and do a complete coolant replacement.

It doesn't surprise me that I have the wrong coolant. From my experiences to date, the previous owner of my truck apparently thought PM only refers to a time of day. I've spent >$2K just getting the truck up to where it needs to be.

 

Just as a further clearification to my previous post, if your truck is a 96, it came with the green stuff and will need the FW 16 (FW 15, what ever the hell it is) coolant additive (just in case you didn't already know).

 

Joe,
Thanks. I'll flush and refill with the green stuff.

 

larry50 -- FYI, the Fleetguard number I referenced above is blue in colorm (and has the SCA added), the Napa Commercial Coolant is green (and needs the SCA added to it). Both are low silicate formula which is the important issue. Hope that helps...

 

Sorry, I got a bad link in from the above mentioned coolant article from the International Site. Here is a good link:
http://www.internationaldelivers.com/news_room/default.asp?pr=press_083100_coolant.html