7.3 coolant flush
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
I think the only Prestone you can now buy says 'All Makes, All Models' - which means it's OAT, which means it's not correct for an '01 7.3, correct?
I read a Motor magazine article on coolants and am now more confused than ever. There are very few 'old style' antifreeze products sold at chain auto parts stores. They mostly have premixed and $#@%^ Dexcool/OAT stuff. The only 'ELC' I found at a Pep Boys was premixed, $20/gallon, and they had a whopping 2 gallons in stock.
I read a Motor magazine article on coolants and am now more confused than ever. There are very few 'old style' antifreeze products sold at chain auto parts stores. They mostly have premixed and $#@%^ Dexcool/OAT stuff. The only 'ELC' I found at a Pep Boys was premixed, $20/gallon, and they had a whopping 2 gallons in stock.
Don't get anything that say's Dexcool. It's not made for our vehicles, it's made for GM vehicles.
ELC's are not easy to find at "normal" chain parts stores. People usually go to a lubrication point of sale outlet, like a Chevron or Cat dealer. Walmart and Napa usually sell ELC's too.
Stewart
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Opelika, AL
Prestone makes a heavy duty extended life coolant. It comes in a black bottle.
Don't get anything that say's Dexcool. It's not made for our vehicles, it's made for GM vehicles.
ELC's are not easy to find at "normal" chain parts stores. People usually go to a lubrication point of sale outlet, like a Chevron or Cat dealer. Walmart and Napa usually sell ELC's too.
Stewart
Don't get anything that say's Dexcool. It's not made for our vehicles, it's made for GM vehicles.
ELC's are not easy to find at "normal" chain parts stores. People usually go to a lubrication point of sale outlet, like a Chevron or Cat dealer. Walmart and Napa usually sell ELC's too.
Stewart
thats what i used...Prestone heavy duty heres a link...its the 8th one down....they also have the 50/50 mix for topping off.
Antifreeze / Coolant | Products | Prestone®
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Opelika, AL
Yes it is.
See my link below for pictures.
Or, instead of posting a link to another site, you can post a link to the thread I created here at FTE that has pictures.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8935201
Stewart
See my link below for pictures.
Or, instead of posting a link to another site, you can post a link to the thread I created here at FTE that has pictures.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8935201
Stewart
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From: Central Coast of CA
Stewart
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,463
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From: Sedalia, CO
I just did this to our Excursion after fuel from a leaking injector cup contaminated the coolant. I've got a comment and a question:
Comment - If you're going to remove the passenger's side drain plug without removing the starter, and that's the right way to do it, disconnect the batteries. Otherwise, you'll shower yourself with sparks when you accidentally touch the wrench to the starter wire.
Comment - I used 3g of Simple Green to get the fuel out, and that worked great. The Simple Green was a royal pain to remove, though. After many flushes I finally gave up used the VC-9 procedure, which worked.
Question - What can I do with the VC-9 and distilled water that I drained? It's black, presumably from the metal deposits the VC-9 removed. Our local sewer district won't let us pour antifreeze in the toilet, so I'm sure this stuff is off limits for that, too. The local antifreeze recycler won't take contaminated antifreeze, and so won't take this. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mark
Comment - If you're going to remove the passenger's side drain plug without removing the starter, and that's the right way to do it, disconnect the batteries. Otherwise, you'll shower yourself with sparks when you accidentally touch the wrench to the starter wire.
Comment - I used 3g of Simple Green to get the fuel out, and that worked great. The Simple Green was a royal pain to remove, though. After many flushes I finally gave up used the VC-9 procedure, which worked.
Question - What can I do with the VC-9 and distilled water that I drained? It's black, presumably from the metal deposits the VC-9 removed. Our local sewer district won't let us pour antifreeze in the toilet, so I'm sure this stuff is off limits for that, too. The local antifreeze recycler won't take contaminated antifreeze, and so won't take this. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Mark
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
Removing the starter is not necessary at all, and you don't have to disconnect the batteries. If your near the starter wire, you're doing it wrong.
You access the passenger side plug by going up the side (well behind the wires) and over the starter.
Properly accessed, a person is just nowhere near the starter terminals and wires.
I've done this three times now, so I'm pretty familair with the procedure, and removing the starter is just a waste of time and energy.
Comment - I used 3g of Simple Green to get the fuel out, and that worked great. The Simple Green was a royal pain to remove, though.
Wow. I know the six-leaker guys do it, but I'm not sure I ever would.
After many flushes I finally gave up used the VC-9 procedure, which worked.
Question - What can I do with the VC-9 and distilled water that I drained?
Stewart
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Sedalia, CO
Agreed, and I figured that out just after my spark shower. 
I'd still disconnect the battery, as it's just too easy to accidentally touch the uncovered starter connection. To be clear, I didn't remove the starter, as that is completely unnecessary, as you mentioned.
Yeah, it's pretty common way to remove fuel contamination. I even found a reference that it's the factory recommended procedure, though I didn't see the actual Ford document. I read where a lot of folks use Cascade dishwasher soap, but I went the Simple Green route. If you just use a little Simple Green you can probably get the smell out with water, but I used a lot (3g, then filled it up with distilled water), trying to get the fuel smell out of the plastic bottle. That ended up failing, and I just replaced the bottle.
Mark
I'd still disconnect the battery, as it's just too easy to accidentally touch the uncovered starter connection. To be clear, I didn't remove the starter, as that is completely unnecessary, as you mentioned.
You're a brave man. You actually put Simple Green in your engine and used it to flush your block?
Wow. I know the six-leaker guys do it, but I'm not sure I ever would.
Wow. I know the six-leaker guys do it, but I'm not sure I ever would.
Mark
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: La La Land
Is "3g" three gallons of Simple Green?
That's a 3-to-8 solution, and kinda' "steep", doncha' think?
Heck, you could put what you drained out into spray bottles for re-use. That would solve the disposal problem.
Pop
That's a 3-to-8 solution, and kinda' "steep", doncha' think?
Heck, you could put what you drained out into spray bottles for re-use. That would solve the disposal problem.
Pop
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 159
From: Sedalia, CO
I'm new around these parts, but I promise I didn't just make this up...
Here's one of the places I looked: Diesel fuel in coolant system??? - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com
Mark
Here's one of the places I looked: Diesel fuel in coolant system??? - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com
Mark
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
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From: Central Coast of CA
As for the sparks, that really shouldn't be a problem either because you should be well behind the terminals.
Stewart
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 159
From: Sedalia, CO
Mark, my apologies. I misread your post. I thought you were advocating removing the starter as the correct way to access the plug on the passenger side. I just went back and reread your post and I see where I misunderstood what you stated.
As for the sparks, that really shouldn't be a problem either because you should be well behind the terminals.
Stewart
As for the sparks, that really shouldn't be a problem either because you should be well behind the terminals.
Stewart
Mark