how much coolant?
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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A 50-50 mix should be used in your area. Two gallons of Ethylene Glycol type AF mixed with distilled water are usually sufficient for the job. Distilled water was not specifically "specified" by Ford but was implied by: "Ordinary tap water may be used in an emergency except in areas where the water is known to be exceptionally hard or to have a high alkali content."* They recommend that in those cases the cooling system should be drained and flushed ASAP tho.
*- From the OEM service manual.
*- From the OEM service manual.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 1
From: Houston/Hope BC
I don't know what truck my rad came out of but it is a big one and goes all the way down to the bottome of the frame rails and is a 3 core. It takes around 14-15 quarts total after a flush and drain.
On a side note and this is sure to get some action
, Ethylene Glycol is ethelyne glycol, the additives various MFG's add differ. So any EG will perform for freezing or boiling protection. IMHO, Prestone is the only coolant to use because of the superior anti-corrosive & anti-foaming additives (this is why is costs more). Chemisty has come a long way since Ford wrote the book. So... I will call Prestone labs tomorrow and see if distilled water is still implied or advised. But... knowing the the high degree the average American car buyer is educated to these days, I'll bet an American 24 count case of suds at 2 to 1 odds that tap water has long since been factored in to the package for municipally supplied water users. Any takers? (Winner picks the flavor, loser pays freight, sorry no US betters only can't ship to Canada if I lose, and must agree to Prestone R&D Lab as the spokesman, lol)
Also, Prestone advises flushing of the system with water, even if it appears clean.
On a side note and this is sure to get some action
, Ethylene Glycol is ethelyne glycol, the additives various MFG's add differ. So any EG will perform for freezing or boiling protection. IMHO, Prestone is the only coolant to use because of the superior anti-corrosive & anti-foaming additives (this is why is costs more). Chemisty has come a long way since Ford wrote the book. So... I will call Prestone labs tomorrow and see if distilled water is still implied or advised. But... knowing the the high degree the average American car buyer is educated to these days, I'll bet an American 24 count case of suds at 2 to 1 odds that tap water has long since been factored in to the package for municipally supplied water users. Any takers? (Winner picks the flavor, loser pays freight, sorry no US betters only can't ship to Canada if I lose, and must agree to Prestone R&D Lab as the spokesman, lol)Also, Prestone advises flushing of the system with water, even if it appears clean.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 886
Likes: 1
From: Houston/Hope BC
According to the guy at Prestone, tap water is satisfactory (but still not the absolute best), if you do not have particularly hard water in your area. The guy said if your shower heads clog or your dishes spot in the washer, your water is too hard. The minerals in the hard water will contribute to scaling. He also kinda made some sideline comment on justifying the cost on their 50/50 in that "we have pure water delivered, not tap, and that costs something." Glad no one took that bet!
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 4
From: PacNW
IMO the less EG you can get away with in the sytem the better. EG is good for 1 thing, preventing the cooling system from freezing. It provides very little protection from boiling and doesn't cool nearly as well as good ol' H20. Yes the chemicals in commercial coolant do have some benefits for anti corrosion but a little goes a long way. I don't need my engine to be protected to -50 deg F where I live, so why add more EG to the system when all it does is decrease the cooling system's efficiency?
Pressure in the cooling system is what raises the boiling point so a good radiator cap is a must.
Pressure in the cooling system is what raises the boiling point so a good radiator cap is a must.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Somewhere above that 50/50 mix the freezing and boiling points start to go the wrong way. Bill is correct that you don't want to run more EG than you need for your area. EG mixtures do not have the heat carrying capacity that pure water has but they do have other benefits such as lubrication and corrosion control so a balance must be struck between requirements.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 606
Likes: 3
From: Colstrip, MT
For freeze protection, the maximum percentage is 62%/38%. After 62%, like Eric says, you have reached the diminishing returns point. 100% ethylene glycol freezes at -10 deg F.
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Posting Legend
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