Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Coolant ????'s

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 07:15 PM
  #1  
live2hunt's Avatar
live2hunt
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
Coolant ????'s

2001 F-350 PSD. / 7.3L / crew. Bought it used from a Ford dealer, so I'm not 100% on the maintenance history.
I am replacing the block heater element this weekend and I know I will loose some coolant. This is my first diesel. I've been reading a lot of posts related to diesels and coolant. Unbelievable.
Anyway, the truck has the green coolant. It looks like it is in very good condition (No discoloring or anything).
First question. If it is green, is it Prestone type? I would assume so because in a very informative post they fellow indicated there are only two types out there, green and yellow.
2nd question; Can I just add the amount of 50-50 mix that I loose, as well as the proper amount of SCA(supplimental coolant additive)? Or should I plan on flushing the system and starting over with green and SCA?
 

Last edited by live2hunt; Dec 9, 2005 at 07:17 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 07:29 PM
  #2  
CAT_man_963's Avatar
CAT_man_963
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,248
Likes: 1
From: Elverson, PA
Ahh I could be wrong on this one - but I think you'll be losing oil, not coolant! I think the heater heats the motor oil in these trucks.
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 09:52 PM
  #3  
PSNut's Avatar
PSNut
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Originally Posted by CAT_man_963
Ahh I could be wrong on this one - but I think you'll be losing oil, not coolant! I think the heater heats the motor oil in these trucks.
I believe it heats the coolant which then heats everything else.
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 10:25 PM
  #4  
Kwikkordead's Avatar
Kwikkordead
Fleet Owner
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,111
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by live2hunt
2001 F-350 PSD. / 7.3L / crew. Bought it used from a Ford dealer, so I'm not 100% on the maintenance history.
I am replacing the block heater element this weekend and I know I will loose some coolant. This is my first diesel. I've been reading a lot of posts related to diesels and coolant. Unbelievable.
Anyway, the truck has the green coolant. It looks like it is in very good condition (No discoloring or anything).
First question. If it is green, is it Prestone type? I would assume so because in a very informative post they fellow indicated there are only two types out there, green and yellow.
2nd question; Can I just add the amount of 50-50 mix that I loose, as well as the proper amount of SCA(supplimental coolant additive)? Or should I plan on flushing the system and starting over with green and SCA?
I would flush just to be sure, but adding won't hurt anything. Since you bought it from a Ford dealer, I would bite the bullet and get the Motorcraft coolant. I don't like mixing brands.
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2005 | 10:07 AM
  #5  
t.j.g.'s Avatar
t.j.g.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
flush it out good and use gold coolant it already has the sca in it and supoosed to be good for 100,000 miles ( zerex G-5 )

Originally Posted by live2hunt
2001 F-350 PSD. / 7.3L / crew. Bought it used from a Ford dealer, so I'm not 100% on the maintenance history.
I am replacing the block heater element this weekend and I know I will loose some coolant. This is my first diesel. I've been reading a lot of posts related to diesels and coolant. Unbelievable.
Anyway, the truck has the green coolant. It looks like it is in very good condition (No discoloring or anything).
First question. If it is green, is it Prestone type? I would assume so because in a very informative post they fellow indicated there are only two types out there, green and yellow.
2nd question; Can I just add the amount of 50-50 mix that I loose, as well as the proper amount of SCA(supplimental coolant additive)? Or should I plan on flushing the system and starting over with green and SCA?
 

Last edited by t.j.g.; Dec 10, 2005 at 10:09 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2005 | 12:49 PM
  #6  
clintbonnie's Avatar
clintbonnie
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,292
Likes: 6
From: Ardenvoir, Washington
Originally Posted by t.j.g.
flush it out good and use gold coolant it already has the sca in it and supoosed to be good for 100,000 miles ( zerex G-5 )
From what I read from coolant testing instructions from "Geno's Garage", if your PSD is a 2001 or prior, you should stick with the green stuff and the additive. Ford says the gaskets on the water-pump and front-cover-to-crankcase are not chemicallly compatible with extended service coolants. Engine S/N's 0940614 and up ARE compatible with these long-life coolants. Changing those gaskets would be alot of work just to use the extended coolant..
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2005 | 12:55 PM
  #7  
SpringerPop's Avatar
SpringerPop
Hotshot
Veteran: Air Force
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Club FTE Silver Member

Ford has recently changed their stance on this subject. They still stick by their prohibition on its use in the pre-99 Powerstroke engines.

Charles Ledger, a diesel tech at a dealership in Oroville, CA, has a YahooGroups newsletter in which he recently revealed a Ford service letter OK'ing the Gold's use in all 99-up Powerstrokes.

On November 2, 2005, he wrote:
"Ford has just released a dealer communication authorizing the use of Premium Gold antifreeze/coolant in all Ford vehicles back to 1999, with the exception of those using the red/orange ELC (Dexcool) and the Mercury Villager"

There was more, but it was just a further explanation. I'd be happy to PM all the aditional if you let me know.

Pop
 

Last edited by SpringerPop; Dec 11, 2005 at 01:11 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2005 | 06:51 PM
  #8  
bhd's Avatar
bhd
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Where do i buy the gold coolant? Do I have to mix water with it? (I've been putting this off on a 80k truck... cause it sounded like too many steps)
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 11, 2005 | 06:56 PM
  #9  
PSNut's Avatar
PSNut
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Originally Posted by bhd
Where do i buy the gold coolant? Do I have to mix water with it? (I've been putting this off on a 80k truck... cause it sounded like too many steps)
Dealership for around $47 for 4 gallons. I think NAPA carries the Zerex G05 equivalent.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2005 | 09:22 PM
  #10  
ColtM4's Avatar
ColtM4
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
From: Central WA USA
Do a flush, but pull all block plugs too. Green and yellow coolants do not mix. Green will neutralize the yellow coolant additives. Make sure all the green is out. Or just stay with green and add SCA. I have to say I love the yellow and the low maintenance of it.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:24 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE