In anticipation of installing the coolant filter kit that I ordered, I want to pick up some antifreeze / coolant so I can be prepared for any coolant loss during the installation. From what I have been able to gather, it seems that Ford has a monopoly on the Motorcraft Gold antifreeze with only selling it at the dealership. It looks as though Zerex G-05 Antifreeze / Coolant by Valvoline is acceptable by Ford as a replacement for the Motorcraft Gold.

My questions are:
1. Is Motorcraft Gold only avilable at the dealership?

2. Can the Zerex be used as a replacement for the Gold?

3. If the Zerex can be used, can it be mixed with the Gold, ie: topping off a low system that is filled with the Gold.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

1. around here in western pa it is only available at the dealership, costs 17.00/gal
2. zerex can be used as long as it meets fords specs for the coolant system.
3. it should be ok to mix them both.
4. i recommend flushing the sys out, adding a coolant filtration system and refill with
50/50 ford spec coolant.

these engines have a known problem with casting sand issues plugging the egr cooler and the oil coolers in the engine, this is why i recommend flushing the system and adding a coolant filter from dieselsite.com.

 

1. I have only seen the Motorcraft Gold at the dealership, I am not sure of anyone else that carries the Motorcraft brand may carry this too. There are two different part numbers. One ends with an 'a' and the other with a 'b'. The 'a' is fine for all states except California and the 'b' is fine for all states including California. My Ford parts guy didn't know what the difference is, if any, other than labeling. I pay $12 a gallon with a discount.

2. According to Valvoline's site, Zerex G-05 will work. Here is the link for more information, you can download a chart from this page: Valvoline.com - Zerex Cooling System Chemicals

3. I am not sure what the 'official' response would be from Valvoline. As a matter of practice, I never mix chemicals in the cooling system. There is always an unknown on how one vendors mixture and concentration of chemicals will react with another. I am a fan of flushing the system and then reloading with distilled water and one type of coolant.

Here is information from Valvoline's site:

Zerex G-05 is the original full chemistry in newer Ford & Daimler Chrysler vehicles. Its Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) chemistry combines the best of conventional and organic acid-based chemistry to provide the ultimate protection against rust and corrosion.

For convenience and protection, try Zerex G-05 Ready To Use. Zerex G-05 Ready To Use combines the excellent temperature and corrosion protection of Zerex G-05 with de-mineralized water to help reduce the risk of cooling system deposits. The 50/50 mixture provides protection down to -34°F.

• Protection for up to 5 years / 150,000 miles
• Approved by Ford and DaimlerChrysler for use in automotive and diesel engines.
• Utilizes hybrid organic acid technology to minimize inhibitor depletion
• Low-silicate, low-pH and phosphate-free formula
• Provides protection against liner pitting and corrosion
• Helps prevent rust and corrosion
• Helps prevent hot weather boil-overs and cold weather freeze-ups
• Protects all cooling system metals, including aluminum

 

If it just to top it due to any loss installing the filter I just put destilled water on it.

 

This is fine for awhile (2 gallons tops). After that, you really start getting weaker than recommended in the additives (corrosion and cavitation protection) and in the boiling / freezing point.

 

How much coolant should I expect to need to replace after the install? I figured that I should only loose what is in the overflow hose + what is needed to prime the filter system / hoses. Was thinking in the area of one gallon. Sound right?

 

1 gal is more than enough.

 

If I remember correctly, I used right around 1 qt when I installed my filter kit.

 

You shouldnt loose any and should only need a qt or so to put it where it needs. Auto Parts Company carries the Motorcraft Gold for about $16/qt.

 

I just did mine this weekend and lost 1/2 gal. Well, i had to add 1/2 gal. I probably only lost a qt but the new line and filter probably held the other qt.

 

with the talk of a coolant filter add-on would it be worth doing to an engine with 112,000 on it?. it's been flushed twice in the 2 and a half years i,ve had it.

 

I don't think it's ever too late.

 

Coolant system flush need detailed directions. Where can I find directions to completely flush my coolant system. I have an 03 6.0 Diesel engine. Is there a kit with connectors to hook to a hose? Is there an additive to use to help clean out the crud? I added the wrong coolant and need to completely flush the system.

 

Yes, I would add it. I was close to 80,000 when I added mine. I left the first filter on for about four months. I cut it open after the change and I couldn't believe how much crud was in the filter body and imbedded in the filter element.

 

I believe this is from Beachbumcook quite some time ago:

<TABLE style="WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=843 border=0 x:str><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 632pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 30829" width=843><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>Here is what you do....</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>1) Buy 4 gallons of Ford Premium Gold coolant at dealer</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>2) Buy 20 gallons of distilled water at local grocery store.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>3) Drop lower radiator hose until empty.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>4) Reconnect hose and add distilled water to degas bottle until full.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>5) Drive truck until temp guage goes to normal and thermostat opens.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>6) Repeat steps #3 through #5 no less than 4 or 5 times (depends on distilled water amount used) - I can't remember?</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>7) You now have 100% distilled water in your system.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>8) Drop lower hose 1 last time, drain and reconnect.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 25.5pt" height=34><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 25.5pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=34>9) Look in manual for your system capacity and for a 50/50% refill of coolant just add the coolant straight into your degas bottle up to the amount that equals a 50/50% concentration (27.5 quarts plus a pint for the coolant filter).</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=17>10) Start motor and add distilled water to bring system level to the MIN mark on degas bottle.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 38.25pt" height=51><TD class=xl24 style="BORDER-RIGHT: #d4d0c8; BORDER-TOP: #d4d0c8; BORDER-LEFT: #d4d0c8; WIDTH: 632pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: #d4d0c8; HEIGHT: 38.25pt; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" width=843 height=51>11) Drive truck around to open thermostat and let cool once or twice to purge any air. May need to add more distilled water... but when done you have flushed your entire system and have a perfect 50/50% concentration of coolant and distilled water.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>