99 Ford F150/DEXCOOL
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99 Ford F150/DEXCOOL
I have a 99 F150 with a 4.6L. It is time to replace the coolant, as I reviewed the factory shop manual I noticed that Ford requires a coolant specification of ESE-M97B44-A. I would like to use Havoline DEX-COOL, I read on the back of the jug that it meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-D. Does anyone on the forum know the significance of the last letter in the spec? My feeling is it is just a revision that Ford does and the basic coolant specifications are the same. Thanks for your help
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I can't say what the spec is, but my 2001 F150 manual specifically says to NOT use the DexCool type (orange) coolant. You certainly cannot add it to the usual green coolant, but the wording seems to say that you should not use it at all. I know there is a Ford specification for that coolant, but that does not mean it can be used in any Ford.
If you decide to use it anyway, be very sure that you flush the old coolant thoroughly.
If you decide to use it anyway, be very sure that you flush the old coolant thoroughly.
Last edited by MrBSS; Aug 17, 2005 at 09:16 AM.
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99 F150 & DEXCOOL
Thanks for the reply. Based on my owner's manual Ford has used an orange "DEXCOOL" type of coolant for my year model. It was called "Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant" part number F6AZ-19544-AA. I was just a little concerned about the specification numbers not matching exactly. I emailed Havoline and asked, they replied:
" Dexcool is a GM warranted product. After warranty it can be used in other cars and light trucks. Each time Ford updates their specification, it gets a higher letter designation. ESE-M97B44-D supersedes ESE-M97B44-A so Dexcool will meet it."
So in my case DEX-COOL is fine. One just needs to know that the mixing of the green coolant and the orange is not recommended.
" Dexcool is a GM warranted product. After warranty it can be used in other cars and light trucks. Each time Ford updates their specification, it gets a higher letter designation. ESE-M97B44-D supersedes ESE-M97B44-A so Dexcool will meet it."
So in my case DEX-COOL is fine. One just needs to know that the mixing of the green coolant and the orange is not recommended.
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From: South Texas
Originally Posted by chuck95
Thanks for the reply. Based on my owner's manual Ford has used an orange "DEXCOOL" type of coolant for my year model. It was called "Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant" part number F6AZ-19544-AA. I was just a little concerned about the specification numbers not matching exactly. I emailed Havoline and asked, they replied:
" Dexcool is a GM warranted product. After warranty it can be used in other cars and light trucks. Each time Ford updates their specification, it gets a higher letter designation. ESE-M97B44-D supersedes ESE-M97B44-A so Dexcool will meet it."
So in my case DEX-COOL is fine. One just needs to know that the mixing of the green coolant and the orange is not recommended.
" Dexcool is a GM warranted product. After warranty it can be used in other cars and light trucks. Each time Ford updates their specification, it gets a higher letter designation. ESE-M97B44-D supersedes ESE-M97B44-A so Dexcool will meet it."
So in my case DEX-COOL is fine. One just needs to know that the mixing of the green coolant and the orange is not recommended.
Might want to do a little research on the Dexcool stuff. There seems to be some evidence that it gums up.. My brother's camaro has major problems with this stuff, cost big bucks to fix.
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Just use the trusty old green and change it more often. Don't use the Dex Cool crap, I can't tell you how many heater cores I have had to replace because that stuff gums up. Anyone who owns a GM product should get that junk out of their engines and use Normal stuff and change it more often.
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From: Southern Louisiana
I think that most anti freeze that is sold now days is universial, at least in my neck of the woods. It is almost impossible to find just an extended life or regular antifreeze, the majority of them work with either system.
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I had Dex in a 98 S-10 Blazer and it made a mess of the entire cooling system, not to mention all the heater cores I have had to replace in others cars because of Dex. Do yourself a favor and leave it where you found it. Sometimes you can backflush a heater core and remove some blockage but it will become blocked again so this is only a temp. fix.
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From: Shawano, WI
Dex-cool and reg. anti freeze IS NOT COMPATIABLE. It says right on the Dex-cool jug will mix with any dex-cool anti freeze. Key words Dex-cool anti- freeze. When the green and orange are mixed it turns to gel. 
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From: Louisville,Ky.
I agree, I have seen too many Dexi-cool vehicles with premature radiator failure. Blockage or cracked plastic tanks, leaking water pumps and thick build-up in the passages. This is at under 75,000 miles and the stuff is supposed to be good for 150,000 miles.
Use the green and change it every 50,000 miles and all will be well.
Use the green and change it every 50,000 miles and all will be well.
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I'll second you guys on that one - Dex causes a major mess. Find you a late model GM and take a look in the radiator or overflow reservoir - nothing but nasty gummed up coolant. If you are wanting a better coolant, switch it over the the new Gold G0-5 coolant. I've seen much better results with it plus it doesn't seem to repeatedly eat heater cores either.
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From: Edgerton, WI
Even GM mechanics say to not use DEX-COOL, it plugs up heater cores. A friend of mine had to replace the heater core in his '00 Cavalier. In 2 years he had to replace 2 heater cores.
The last time I told him to just use normal green coolant. It has been 3 years now and he hasnt had to replace the heater core yet...
No DEX-COOL for me...
Octane
The last time I told him to just use normal green coolant. It has been 3 years now and he hasnt had to replace the heater core yet...
No DEX-COOL for me...
Octane
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4Trax is right, when mixed they do turn to gel. If you do switch you have to flush the system out first. I use unsweetened grape coolaid, about 8 packets, refill with water, drive around for a few days and let the coolaid do it's thing. Unsweetened grape coolaid is slightly acidic and works better than that radiator flush crap you can buy, but make sure it is unsweetened as sugar carmelizes when it gets hot.
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I think we have found a concencus (spelling ??) to stay away from the DEX COOL. I run just a small side business working on cars so I don't work on cars every day but probably 2-3 a week. And I have had to fix many heater cores and flush many GM cooling systems to get the sludge out of the systems. Don't use it.