Over Adding Coolant Additive

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Nov 11, 2004 | 06:05 PM

LUMBERMAN

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Mountain Pass

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Over Adding Coolant Additive

I was talking to a mech. the other day and he said you cant add too much coolant additive, but being over cautious I want to check with all of you on this site to be sure.Can you? thanks.

Nov 11, 2004 | 08:36 PM

RickyBR

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From: Roaring Branch, PA

probably not, but I don't think you would ever need more than 2 bottles for a fluid change and 1 bottle yearly for maintenance. I would think any more than that would just be a waste of money.

Nov 12, 2004 | 01:34 PM

clux

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From: Carhenge

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUMBERMAN

I was talking to a mech. the other day and he said you cant add too much coolant additive, but being over cautious I want to check with all of you on this site to be sure.Can you? thanks.

If I understand the function of the additive correctly, it causes a hard residue to form on the walls of your block, and this residue is what is eroded (instead of your cylinder walls) when cavitation occurs. The residue tends to flake off the block. So when you over add the fw-16, you wind up with excessive amounts of hard precipitate in your coolant, which can on it's own erode water passages, gaskets, and your water pump. So the short answer is yes, I think you can over add fw-16, which is the reason for the test strips. I switched to gold coolant, but if I remember correctly, the test strips advise you to keep the levels at the lowest "safe" level.

Nov 12, 2004 | 10:25 PM

RynL88

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From: Loudoun, Va

On the bottle of Motorcraft DCA is says DO NOT OVERCHARGE. I would stick to those guidelines, although personally I don't believe it has to be perfect, just so you have enough.

Nov 14, 2004 | 07:35 PM

RedTaurus94

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From: Western NC

The test strips come with a chart that shows a RANGE, not a minimum. I deduce from this that it IS possible to put too much in there.........

Nov 14, 2004 | 07:51 PM

gunfrk

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My test strips show ranges from minimum to ideal and the next range is overcharged and instructs you to flush and recharge.

Nov 14, 2004 | 09:11 PM

mybigredford

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From: Prince George, BC

i think that you shouldnt overcharge the coolant, cause you will get scaling that flakes off and circulates in the system, and also it is hard on the water pump, so you could have a failure there.