Coolant Flush
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 64
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Coolant Flush
I'm planning to flush my coolant system in my 86' 6.9 and have a couple questions:
1) Capacity is ~7 gallons/29 qts. The coolant additive from Ford requires 1 pint per gallon of coolant. So, do I need 3-4 pints of the additive in the system??
2) Ford 6.9 manual calls for ESE-M97B44-A type coolant -- is there another brand I can use or should I purchase the Ford coolant??
3) What's recommended for ratio, 50/50?? I don't work this truck hard.
4) I've heard I should use distilled water -- should I use distilled water??
5) This will be the first time I use the coolant additive -- do I need test strips to test after I flush the system or can I wait and get these strips later (they are not readily available here, I'll have to find on-line and have a kit shipped). I may do this this weekend and I know I won't get test strips in time.
Any help/info would be great.
1) Capacity is ~7 gallons/29 qts. The coolant additive from Ford requires 1 pint per gallon of coolant. So, do I need 3-4 pints of the additive in the system??
2) Ford 6.9 manual calls for ESE-M97B44-A type coolant -- is there another brand I can use or should I purchase the Ford coolant??
3) What's recommended for ratio, 50/50?? I don't work this truck hard.
4) I've heard I should use distilled water -- should I use distilled water??
5) This will be the first time I use the coolant additive -- do I need test strips to test after I flush the system or can I wait and get these strips later (they are not readily available here, I'll have to find on-line and have a kit shipped). I may do this this weekend and I know I won't get test strips in time.
Any help/info would be great.
Playing in the Dirt
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,302
Likes: 1
From: Southwest Georgia
1. 3.5 pints of DCA.
2. Any ethylene glycol-based coolant will work.
3. Yes, 50/50 is the recomended ratio.
4. Distilled water is the best to use, because the minerals and chemicals have been removed from it. Most city water systems add chemicals to kill bacteria and they add floride (spl.?) and these thing re-act with the coolant.
5. No, you do not need to test after the flush, just test your coolant every 15,000 miles.
2. Any ethylene glycol-based coolant will work.
3. Yes, 50/50 is the recomended ratio.
4. Distilled water is the best to use, because the minerals and chemicals have been removed from it. Most city water systems add chemicals to kill bacteria and they add floride (spl.?) and these thing re-act with the coolant.
5. No, you do not need to test after the flush, just test your coolant every 15,000 miles.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 561
Likes: 0
From: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Even though your motor is a 6.9, I'd suggest getting coolant with that special nitrate additive. I think it's called SCA. Cavitation sucks, but you shouldn't worry because the cylinder walls on your motor are alot thicker than the walls on a 7.3. Best thing to do would be to go to NAPA or to a Ford dealership to get the correct coolant WITH the additive in it.
