Coolant 101 for dummies
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Medford Oregon
Coolant 101 for dummies
Got the new water pump in and tomorrow will pick up ordered thermostat housing inlet tube. Have the 203 stat. Went to wall mart with wife and was checking out antifreeze.
Here's my question .. I don't want to be a antifreeze scientist. I've read the tini-tiny print on the back of almost everything they sell until my eyes hurt. All the Ford specification mean nothing if the manufacture does not post them on their labels.
What is the most common brand of antifreeze that will work in out trucks and I could purchase almost anywhere. Mine was green so I would like to stay with that except how in the heck do you know if it is green, yellow, gold or whatever until you actually open the package? Also I already have the additive.
Thanks
Here's my question .. I don't want to be a antifreeze scientist. I've read the tini-tiny print on the back of almost everything they sell until my eyes hurt. All the Ford specification mean nothing if the manufacture does not post them on their labels.
What is the most common brand of antifreeze that will work in out trucks and I could purchase almost anywhere. Mine was green so I would like to stay with that except how in the heck do you know if it is green, yellow, gold or whatever until you actually open the package? Also I already have the additive.
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,207
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From: Kearney, Nebr
Almost all coolants are ethylene glycol based. The different colors indicated the different corrosion inhibutors that are used. I believe most of your extended life coolants are orange or red. However, there are some different ones that you are able to mix together.
IIRC, the reason why you can't mix the green with red is because the organic acids of the red/orange coolants will precipitate the silicates reducing the ability to prevent corrosion.
A lot of guys use the gold colored ford brand that is recommened for diesels because it already has SCA's in it. With the green coolant you have to add in SCA's to help prevent cavitation.
Another popular brand is Extended Global Life or something close to that which you can find at Wal-mart. It has a picture of a big rig on the front. This coolant is red.
I'm using Zerex-G5 in my stroker and haven't had any problems. It has the SCA's in it already as well.
The important thing to remember with diesel coolant is that you need the SCA's to prevent cavitation. So either get one that has it mixed in or buy the concentrate and mix it accordingly.
IIRC, the reason why you can't mix the green with red is because the organic acids of the red/orange coolants will precipitate the silicates reducing the ability to prevent corrosion.
A lot of guys use the gold colored ford brand that is recommened for diesels because it already has SCA's in it. With the green coolant you have to add in SCA's to help prevent cavitation.
Another popular brand is Extended Global Life or something close to that which you can find at Wal-mart. It has a picture of a big rig on the front. This coolant is red.
I'm using Zerex-G5 in my stroker and haven't had any problems. It has the SCA's in it already as well.
The important thing to remember with diesel coolant is that you need the SCA's to prevent cavitation. So either get one that has it mixed in or buy the concentrate and mix it accordingly.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: FL
X2 Cody..... can't get over the color of the ELC's
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,137
Likes: 41
From: Marble Falls, Texas
I guess we are just old school. Antifreeze is supposed to be GREEN. I cringe everytime I see Dexcool.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Medford Oregon
Almost all coolants are ethylene glycol based. The different colors indicated the different corrosion inhibutors that are used. I believe most of your extended life coolants are orange or red. However, there are some different ones that you are able to mix together.
IIRC, the reason why you can't mix the green with red is because the organic acids of the red/orange coolants will precipitate the silicates reducing the ability to prevent corrosion.
A lot of guys use the gold colored ford brand that is recommened for diesels because it already has SCA's in it. With the green coolant you have to add in SCA's to help prevent cavitation.
Another popular brand is Extended Global Life or something close to that which you can find at Wal-mart. It has a picture of a big rig on the front. This coolant is red.
I'm using Zerex-G5 in my stroker and haven't had any problems. It has the SCA's in it already as well.
The important thing to remember with diesel coolant is that you need the SCA's to prevent cavitation. So either get one that has it mixed in or buy the concentrate and mix it accordingly.
IIRC, the reason why you can't mix the green with red is because the organic acids of the red/orange coolants will precipitate the silicates reducing the ability to prevent corrosion.
A lot of guys use the gold colored ford brand that is recommened for diesels because it already has SCA's in it. With the green coolant you have to add in SCA's to help prevent cavitation.
Another popular brand is Extended Global Life or something close to that which you can find at Wal-mart. It has a picture of a big rig on the front. This coolant is red.
I'm using Zerex-G5 in my stroker and haven't had any problems. It has the SCA's in it already as well.
The important thing to remember with diesel coolant is that you need the SCA's to prevent cavitation. So either get one that has it mixed in or buy the concentrate and mix it accordingly.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/7...r-similar.html
It indicates it is bad for our injector cups. I'll check out Zerex G05 and Fleetguard brands this morning.
Thanks ..
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Chino Valley, Arizona
I cringe every time I pull an intake off of a chevy that has had dex cool and have to replace the intake due to corrosion.
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