Ok I just read about this in the Powerstroke maintanence tips on the "Myford" web site. Its recomended after 50,000miles and then every 30,000 after that. So where can I get some of this stuff, I am assuming its only available through ford but has anybody used it and what is it for exactly...prolong the life of the coolant? what?

 

Here is a pretty good primer on the topic (link below)...what they are referring to is dca (diesel coolant additive) or sca (supplemental coolant addditive)...these are synonymns for the same stuff. It is added to diesel coolant systems to keep the nitrite and molybdate levels up to par. You should be checking your coolant a couple times a year with a test strip (Fleetguard CC2602A) for these ingredients and freeze point (each strip tests all three). The additive can be purchased at any diesel parts house and many auto parts houses. I buy mine at International for about $6.75/pint of DCA 5.

http://www.constructionequipment.com/article/CA6256027.html

With the new ELC coolants, if you make the changeover (which I will be doing next fall) you don't have to worry about this additive package. Hope this helps...

 

Wow thanks for the insite!


So what brands are gonna be ELC? and where can I get these test strips? could a local auto parts store carry them?

 

If you dont want to bother with the additives a good HD ELC is Rotella ELC (Red) Good for 600,000 miles with one additive at 300,000 miles.

 

Ok so say I want to change over to that new coolant, am I better off just going to a ford dealer or a local shop? I am not gonna do it until next year but just wondering.

 

If you have a way of catching almost 8 gallons of old coolant and about 8 gallons of distilled water it not that bad of a job.

 

Please, don't just dump it on the ground. The ethyline glycol that the antifreeze is made of is not that harmful. It will biodegrade nearly as quickly as propoline. But the metals and toxins that get built up in the coolant over the years will sink into the groundwater and then our grandchildren have to drink it.

 

HAHA nope.....I had a bad experiance changing oil in my quad once, had a half gallon jug and one an half gallons of oil very messy. Well I guess I will check to see what my additive level is before I decide to add some or swap out to the long life coolant. thanks guys for the excellent help.

 

And that goes for those of you that run that "green" coolant that is based on propoline glycol (sorry for the spelling).
You can drink that stuff without harming yourself, but the metals and toxins that get built up in it eventually make it just as hazardous of a waste as ethyline glycol based coolants.
You are not doing the environment any favors if you think you can just pour that stuff out on the ground without any harmful effects. There WILL be metals built up in that stuff as just as in ethyline based coolants.

 

Dont worry..I know all about Hazardouse Chemicals. Air Force specialized training in HAZMAT. I care about the enviroment.

 

I just got 8 gallons of the ELC coolant it is a 50/50 mix allready just need some warm weather to get it switched over going to do the ext coolant filter and 203 thermo and new billit housing cant wait for the warm weather to get here

 

Sorry for the thread revival, I swear it was the 4th thread down