It came time to change the antifreeze in my 2000 a couple of months ago - I switched to Fleet Charge. This sounded like an ok idea at the time & I was having trouble finding the Texaco Heavy Duty Antifreeze I'd been using for several years to which I've always added DCA4 (FW-16).

Here's my dilemma - Fleet Charge recommends using Penray's PF3500 additive & test strips.

I can't seem to find either of these locally or, after several hrs of searching - online either. Do I just keep using the DCA4 I've been using all along?

They say the two chemistries are compatible w/ each other but I'm not sure I want to trust my waterpump to a 'coolant additive' cocktail. The other part of this is: are the Fleetguard Test strips I've always used going to work or do I need Penray's strips?

DG

 

BUMP just bumping you back up

 

The SCA additives should be the same. Penray states their test strips are universal and able to check all anti-freeze brands Penray - Coolant Guide

So the universal part should work both ways. I've always just bought whatever SCA & test strips I could find at the auto parts store. I've never purchased the Ford brand. As long as you're using quality stuff I don't think you have any worries.

You might also ask your local auto parts store who makes their SCA & test strips. I noticed Penray does private label applications also. You might be getting their stuff with a different sticker on it.

 

Guess I'm a little gunshy about coolants - I lost my 1st WP @ 42K and I remember the work it took to replace it so I'm not wanting to do that again. I think the best best for me is to stick w/ what's been working all along - DCA4 + testing.

I have considered putting the NF2091 (or Equiv) need release filter on instead of the non-charged coolant filter I've been running. They claim this one is good for systems to 10gals so I don't think I'll be overcharging it w/ SCA's. Kinda beats dumping in DCA4 2X / year - filter is supposed to be good for 18months or, 50K miles.

DG

 

Did you decide to go with the Penray filter? I'm curious about the lifetime fill using their filters...

 

I went with the Peak Final Charge and said "Good Bye" to checking SCA's. If I need to add any coolant, I keep a 50/50 mix handy and top it off. No need to worry about concentration levels. JMHO By the time you buy "loaded" filters and/or SCA's, you could spend the extra money on the ELC and not have to worry about it for a long, long time.

 

I also changed my antifreeze to the "Fleet Charge" red koolaid approx. 40k miles ago and like Roland I said "good bye" to checking SCA's. As I say that because I am **** about my truck, I will probably test it once I get to 50K miles on it "just because."

 

I thought with the Fleet Charge you still had to check SCAs. I would have gone to the Final Charge, but apparently with the early '99 that I have the seals are not compatible with the ELC coolants. That's why I was asking about the Penray filters-they release the SCAs into the coolant as the coolant becomes more corrosive and needs the extra SCA charge. I am also pretty **** about my truck, and have been researching coolant way too much!

 

OOps sorry I also used Final Charge!
My brain and fingers are having arguments today!!

 

I've heard all that, but so many folks have gone to ELC coolants with 99 trucks without any issues, I wouldn't think twice about it these days. I think Ford was just scared to say ELC was okay, then have a bunch of warranty work to do. They didn't seem to think twice about telling us Mercon V is now okay in our trucks. After nearly all of them were out of warranty.

 

Found this old thread while searching for something else - thought I'd report the results of switching to Fleet Charge + the NF2091 Need release filter.

Now have 6 trucks running this setup - incl the 2000 that the WP went belly-up @ 42K. It now has 120K on it w/ the last 40K running Fleet Charge w/ the NF2091 "need release filter"

Still using test strips (just don't trust it enough) but we always come in @ 1200ppm right on the nose and the freeze point & Ph stay stable. We did switch a couple of trucks to CAT ELC but I have to admit since the others are fine I'm not in too much of a hurry to switch them all.

FYI: 1 of these is the one I've been posting about the missing cooling jets. The engine has been pulled which gave us a chance to look the internals over - I can report no visible evidence of cavitation damage on this engine. It's been running the Fleetcharge for about 75k miles. Never drained only changed the coolant filter every 12-14 months.