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I am due for a coolant change on our 2001 PSD. The local Ford dealer did not sound too decisive when I asked about which coolant should be used. It came with the original green coolant which required the SCA additive. Should the dealer put in the green, gold, or some other coolant (ELC,....)?
Put only the reccomended green coolant with the SCA additive. The Gold will not cool correctly and will eat the aluminum from what I have been told (International Dealer).
There was a very lengthy tread on here a couple weeks ago on this subject. Do a search and you should find it. As I remember, everyone agreed that the best thing to do was run what came out in your year truck. I have a '99, and when I purchase mine, there was no PCA at all in the radiator. It made me a little nervious, but 26,000 miles later, there appears to be no ill effects. NAPA has the test strips and the additive, so it really isn't a big deal to check it every oil change. I havn't had to add anything in 15,000 miles. Everything checks great.
I read somewhere (thread on here or Diesel Stop)that Ford actually verbally approved the Gold in trucks that originally came with the green, on the 99.5's and newer?? Never got into writing from Ford which is why it appears to be personal preference. 2002's and newer have the gold from the factory. I have an 01 that came with green, I flushed and filled with Ford Premium Gold, no problems. Just need about 4 gal's of coolant and 20 gals distilled water (Wally Mart)!!! No engine difference that I know of between the 01's and the 02's, right?!