Coolant Question
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Junior User
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Coolant Question
What kind of coolant comes in the system from the factory? Can it be mixed with another brand? I'm a little low, and I was going to just go pick some up, but I wanted to know if it mattered what kind first? The truck is a 2005 Excursion.
Schmitty
Schmitty
Fleet Owner
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Motorcraft Premium Gold coolant. Most folks say the Zerex G-05 is an acceptable substitute. I just use the Motorcraft - it is good for apprx. 100k miles.
Do not mix it with other types of coolant. The other coolants control corrosion and cavitation with different chemistry. You can plug up things by mixing in the wrong coolant.
Do not mix it with other types of coolant. The other coolants control corrosion and cavitation with different chemistry. You can plug up things by mixing in the wrong coolant.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
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Hey Mark, is there another addictive that you need to put into the coolant system or is it just straight coolant? I had a dealer do mine last year and I swear that it had some diesel coolant additive stuff on the work ticket. I guess I should pull the ticket and see what it says...
Fleet Owner
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No other additives are needed (or should be added for that matter) with the Motorcraft Premium Gold. The older diesel engines, like my sons 7.3L, that use the green coolant need the SCA's added periodically (the manual says every 15k but the SCA bottle says test with "test strips" before adding).
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Henderson, NV
Brad, I just checked out some paperwork I have and it says "Install MOC Premium Coolant Conditioner to help prevent breakdown of seals". Is this what you are talking about? I don't see a part number on my sheet. Also, when they did a transmission flush they "installed transmission fluid conditioner to help prevent breakdown of seals, gaskets and fluid". Again, no part number. I wonder if it's part of the "flush kit"?
Junior User
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From: Iowa
Hey bismic.....is Zerex G-05 green? Because my tech told me that Zerex would be fine to use. sorry bout 
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From: Washinhton
Zertec G05 is Gold colored. Just filled my radiator up this morning with ~13.5 Quarts of the stuff
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Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2007
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Brad, I just checked out some paperwork I have and it says "Install MOC Premium Coolant Conditioner to help prevent breakdown of seals". Is this what you are talking about? I don't see a part number on my sheet. Also, when they did a transmission flush they "installed transmission fluid conditioner to help prevent breakdown of seals, gaskets and fluid". Again, no part number. I wonder if it's part of the "flush kit"?
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 537
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From: Linden USA
The VC-8 is a Motorcraft part number and as far as I am aware it was only used in the 7.3 with the old green antifreeze. I don't think this was intended to be used in the 6.0 liter at all with the yellow GO-5 coolant.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
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As cparks said - the VC-8 is an additive that was necessary to be added (periodically) to the green coolant systems (every 15k or so). It used to be called FW-15 and FW-16. It contains molybdates, nitrites and nitrates for corrosion protection.
I have not seen anywhere that it was recommended for systems with the Gold coolant - EXCEPT in caterpillar engines. I will try to do a little research on it.
In the meantime, below is a VERY GOOD write up on Ford coolants and the appropriate uses.
http://www.paulmachenry.com/documents/CoolantFAQs.pdf
Below is an excerpt from the link above:
Also, on the "dieselfiltersonline" web site, it indicates that the additive is for use in the green coolant systems and only the caterpillar engines that use the Premium Gold coolant.
"Use in all heavy-duty, diesel engine cooling systems equipped with the green-colored Motorcraft® Premium Engine Coolant meeting Ford Specification ESE-M97B44-A
Use in heavy-duty trucks equipped with the Caterpillar 3126E engine and equipped with the yellow-colored Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51-A1"
I would really question the dealership on this one!
I have not seen anywhere that it was recommended for systems with the Gold coolant - EXCEPT in caterpillar engines. I will try to do a little research on it.
In the meantime, below is a VERY GOOD write up on Ford coolants and the appropriate uses.
http://www.paulmachenry.com/documents/CoolantFAQs.pdf
Below is an excerpt from the link above:
"What are the advantages of "extended-life" Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant versus a conventional coolant such as Motorcraft® Premium Engine Coolant?
Extended drain (change-out) intervals
No need for supplemental coolant additives required for diesel engines (except in the case of the Caterpillar
3126E engine)"
3126E engine)"
Also, on the "dieselfiltersonline" web site, it indicates that the additive is for use in the green coolant systems and only the caterpillar engines that use the Premium Gold coolant.
"Use in all heavy-duty, diesel engine cooling systems equipped with the green-colored Motorcraft® Premium Engine Coolant meeting Ford Specification ESE-M97B44-A
Use in heavy-duty trucks equipped with the Caterpillar 3126E engine and equipped with the yellow-colored Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51-A1"
I would really question the dealership on this one!
Fleet Owner
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here is a handy table from Ford on the proper coolants. Read the notes at the bottom.
maybe the dealership added VC-8 and really meant to add the bittering agent VC-7 ???
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant...ckref/scuc.pdf
maybe the dealership added VC-8 and really meant to add the bittering agent VC-7 ???
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant...ckref/scuc.pdf
Fleet Owner
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Thanks Brickie. As I understand it, the first link above ("paulmachenry" link) is from (or based on) an October 2005 FAQ from Ford. I am not 100% sure of that, but it is consistent with Ford's published stance on coolants.
Fleet Owner
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