Coolant test strips

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Oct 24, 2007 | 09:05 PM

#16

greedy737

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Joined: Sep 2007

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From: Lenhartsville PA

Do you mean the NAPA test strips don't work, unless you use the additive from NAPA??? If this is so, alot of PSD owners are going to have alot of $$$$$ problems!!! The look the same as the fleet ones...

Oct 24, 2007 | 09:19 PM

#17

Tenn01PSD350

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Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 11,892

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From: Middle Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7.3L DID TD

Me too! I stopped at Ford went to parts and asked to buy them they just stared. On guy told me to go ask the diesel mechanic if he has one!

Exact same thing I got. Said they no longer sell the strips. Went to mechanic and he said they do not use them anymore. (Too old school I suspect). He said they will either change coolant, then add SCA or add it by mileage based on last service. Hmm, very technical.

Oct 24, 2007 | 09:26 PM

#18

Spamjohnson

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Joined: Mar 2006

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Stopped by the local IH dealer tonight after reading this thread, they sold me 4 for 5 or so bucks. They said that there is a shelf life so didn't recommend buying too many unless I had a fleet of trucks.

Thanks FTE, another disaster avoided, another Ford Dealer overcharge avoided.

Oct 24, 2007 | 09:46 PM

#19

sgrol

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Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Gig Em, Tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by greedy737

Both check for freezepoint and nitrite. Napa strips' (my bottle says Wix Filration Products) third check is pH. Fleetguard's third check is molybdate.
With NAPA strips, you check the color of the nitrite with a color chart to see if additive is needed. You need a color calibrated eye to tell the differences in the shade of color.
With Fleetguard strips, you cross reference the color of the molybdate and nitrite on a chart to determine where your protection is in SCA units per gallon. Fleetguard recommends a level between 1.5 and 3.

I guess if Nitrite is the only factor you need to know to determine system protection, then NAPA strips would be ok.

Oct 24, 2007 | 10:41 PM

#20

dc2842002

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Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 287

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From: York, SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spamjohnson

I just ordered some from Genos Garage (a site sponsor). They are about the same price ($5.95). They say the same thing about the 50 pack (only for fleet use)