Testing Coolant Additive

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Jul 27, 2005 | 12:01 AM

BGFNRED

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From: Allentown, Pa

Testing Coolant Additive

How do you go about checking the coolant additive. I just changed out the coolant and hoses on my 88 F250 7.3L and used the Ford additive using the reccommended amount per gallon of coolant (I think it was 4oz. per gallon) but what do I use to check this mixture?

Jason

Jul 27, 2005 | 12:08 PM

deanj

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Go to NAPA or your IH dealer and ask for the PH test strips. All the info is on the package. You could try FixOr Repair Daily but they will probably look at you like you have 2 heads.

Jul 28, 2005 | 03:04 PM

smashing4455

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From: Boston, Ma

I would check that coolant (SCA) very quickly if i was you. All the threads I have seen on this site from the posting guru's show 2 bottles of the SCA for the entire system on a 7.3. If this is true you have overcharged your system by alot and if you look at this site you will find that is just as bad as not doing it at all.

http://www.filtercouncil.org/techdat.../faqhdcool.htm

http://www.filtercouncil.org/techdata/tsbs/88-1R2.pdf

You might also want to try this instead of having to deal with the level monitoring.

http://www.shell-lubricants.com/prod...=12&bgcolor=&1

Jul 28, 2005 | 03:08 PM

smashing4455

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From: Boston, Ma

I did notice that the first link said to use 4 ounces per gallon but I think David Spon. a posting guru has said he tests at 2 bottles with 3 gallons of ford brand VCA 7 coolant and Three gallons of distilled.

Jul 31, 2005 | 03:50 PM

bluthunder

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From: Belfast, Maine

caterpillar sells a coolant with the additives already in. no need to monitor sca levels

Feb 6, 2006 | 10:30 PM

F350_Hauler

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From: West Palm Beach, Florida

How much DCA4?

Quote:

Originally Posted by smashing4455

Am I reading this right? 3 gallons of low-silicate anti-freeze, 3 gallons of distilled water and two bottles of DCA4 (16 fluid ounces each X 2 = 32 ounces) for entire system flush and renewing of fluids.

Feb 7, 2006 | 06:08 AM

deanj

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Ford 7.3 has 29 qts (inc 5 in overflow). 1. drain and flush. 2 mix 50/50 with a low silicate AF and distilled water. 3. Add 2 pints of sca FW-15 . Cat, rotella and fleet guard are 300k test free AF, they are pretty much flush and fill - do not add any water. Personally whatever you use test the ph and nitrite levels regularly.