Diesel Cooling System Additive
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Diesel Cooling System Additive
Newbie question, apparently didn't pay attention when I read the owners manual about care of the coolant. Picked up a hint reading the posts here and went to the local Ford sDealer and picked up a pint of the additive. Don't have any test strips and wonder if it will hurt if I just add the pint. Had a slow leak where I used plastic components for my Heater modification and am down maybe a couple inches in the overflow container. Have switched to brass and have the leak repaired. Have had the truck for almost a year now and have 15,000 personal miles. Should I wait and just flush it when I get home in a couple months? The truck will be sitting mostly with a trip every week or two.
Thanks
Rod
Thanks
Rod
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Virginia - SW (Riner)
Additive
I'd go ahead and dump the pint in. If you've added nothing for a year and driven 10-12K miles the additive level usually drops enough to warrant adding some. Get the test strips as soon as you can so you can track how much its changing over time.
I've switched to Penray (FleetCharge) + a coolant filter w/ the additive already in it. I still have to check the level w/ the strips at least 2X/yr but at least I don't have to worry about the additive level so much.
DG
I've switched to Penray (FleetCharge) + a coolant filter w/ the additive already in it. I still have to check the level w/ the strips at least 2X/yr but at least I don't have to worry about the additive level so much.
DG
Snowboard season cometh..
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,406
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From: Gulf Coast of Florida
If you're going to do the flush, then use the Rotella ELC coolant. You won't have to worry about additives, just check it 2x a year.
For now, put in the additive, but do get some test strips from a local IH dealer, but plan on a complete drain, flush (repeatedly) and then fill with the ELC stuff.
For now, put in the additive, but do get some test strips from a local IH dealer, but plan on a complete drain, flush (repeatedly) and then fill with the ELC stuff.
Hook it, I'll pull it.
Joined: May 2007
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From: Grand Lake, La.
Green add additive. Red don't. Just making sure because you didn't say what color it was. I run the Red now, good for 300,000 miles. Called Final Charge from wal mart, is a 50-50 blend.
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So when I do the flush I can just get some of that (or the Rotella) and it will be good for a long time? Do you need to put a filter in somewhere, or is there one. I've read some post on changing out the filter if the additive is too high. Sure is a lot of work owning a PSD, but worth it I hope
Rod
Rod
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From: Reno nv
So when I do the flush I can just get some of that (or the Rotella) and it will be good for a long time? Do you need to put a filter in somewhere, or is there one. I've read some post on changing out the filter if the additive is too high. Sure is a lot of work owning a PSD, but worth it I hope
Rod
Rod
Not a lot of work if you like 500,000 + hardworking dependable miles
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From: Texas
There are test strips you can buy for trucks running green coolant that tells you if you need to add some SCA to the fluid. This is to treat your coolant system and prevent cavitation. If you have the newer yellow, or even newer red coolant the additive (and test strips) are not required.