Notices
1999 - 2016 Super Duty 1999 to 2016 Ford F250, F350, F450 and F550 Super Duty with diesel V8 and gas V8 and V10 engines
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Real Truck

antifreeze

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 27, 2009 | 03:30 PM
  #1  
renoduckman's Avatar
renoduckman
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 442
Likes: 7
From: reno nevada
antifreeze

I was wondering what you guys have been using for antifreeze? I have the gold color in my truck and i am due to change. I thought it might be best to use the same one so i dont have any odd problem with a reaction of some sorts? We had that issue come up at work with some big Detroit diesel generators . Thanks Joe
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2009 | 03:58 PM
  #2  
mwsF250's Avatar
mwsF250
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,564
Likes: 11
From: Wayyy NoCal, USA
You're right to be cautious about mixing different chemistries! And there are more than enough exceptions to the rule that you can NOT just go by color. You need to know exactly what was in it and refill/replace with the same, or thoroughly flush it.

Me?
I dumped and thoroughly flushed out whatever was in there and refilled with good old Peak ethylene glycol based antifreeze - the green stuff. And change it every 2 years.
That is what is in all my other vehicles, so less chance I will accidently screw up something. The ethylene glycol is compatible with the materials in the V10 gasser, not sure about the diesel...
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2009 | 07:36 PM
  #3  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
check the owners manual and probably on the radiator or under the hood. Most of the Fords are using the motorcraft gold, yellow in color. You will not want to mix it with anything else, best to just get it as it is already premixed.
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2009 | 07:53 PM
  #4  
ironmine's Avatar
ironmine
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: NW NJ
Isn't the difference between the two antifreezes used by Ford, is that one is extended life, and the other isn't?

That's why Prestone states their Extended Life antifreeze mixes with any antifreeze in any car or light truck?
 
Reply
Old Feb 27, 2009 | 08:14 PM
  #5  
PSDx3's Avatar
PSDx3
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Salem, Oregon
Diesel engines have different issues with cooloant than gas engines. For example: The high compression causes cavitation issues in the coolant passages on the outside of the cylinder walls, which leads to pitting and hot spots; Also, diesels cause more dropout of silicate which can cause gelling in the coolant. I would stick with the gold or another major brand made for diesels.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2009 | 03:40 PM
  #6  
renoduckman's Avatar
renoduckman
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 442
Likes: 7
From: reno nevada
antifreeze

I read some place on the site that the Zerek G05 meets the ford spec for the Gold coolant but i cant find that now? That it might even be where ford gets it from? Just a thought Joe
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2009 | 06:33 PM
  #7  
slowmans's Avatar
slowmans
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,011
Likes: 90
From: SE. MA
in all honesty, why not just spend the $16.00(thats what I paid at ford) for the right coolant and be done with it?
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2009 | 06:37 PM
  #8  
YoGeorge's Avatar
YoGeorge
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Originally Posted by renoduckman
I was wondering what you guys have been using for antifreeze? I have the gold color in my truck and i am due to change. I thought it might be best to use the same one so i dont have any odd problem with a reaction of some sorts? We had that issue come up at work with some big Detroit diesel generators . Thanks Joe
If it uses the regular gold Ford antifreeze, you should use either that or Zerex G-05, which is also gold and which is the same formula. Some Chrysler apps also use G-05. I bought the Zerex stuff at Pep Boys for my '91 BMW (G-05 is almost identical to OEM BMW antifreeze).

..oops I just noted that you were asking about G-05, and you're right. Zerex has a page that shows applications for their formulas, and G-05 is shown as Ford gold.

edit: here's the page

http://www.valvoline.com/pages/produ...asp?product=10

I would not mix anything else with the G-05 *if* that is what you've got in there.

George
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 28, 2009 | 06:38 PM
  #9  
senix's Avatar
senix
Super Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by slowmans
in all honesty, why not just spend the $16.00(thats what I paid at ford) for the right coolant and be done with it?

rep points for that one! that is the best advice!
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2009 | 07:29 PM
  #10  
Furian's Avatar
Furian
You Keep What You Kill
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,902
Likes: 2
From: Huntersville, NC
Originally Posted by mwsF250
You're right to be cautious about mixing different chemistries! And there are more than enough exceptions to the rule that you can NOT just go by color. You need to know exactly what was in it and refill/replace with the same, or thoroughly flush it.

Me?
I dumped and thoroughly flushed out whatever was in there and refilled with good old Peak ethylene glycol based antifreeze - the green stuff. And change it every 2 years.
That is what is in all my other vehicles, so less chance I will accidently screw up something. The ethylene glycol is compatible with the materials in the V10 gasser, not sure about the diesel...
I have the 5.4L engine. I think that I'll take mwsF250's approach the next time that I change my coolant. I know that I can completely flush what's in there now and go with the "green stuff." My concern is not the cost of the Motorcraft Gold coolant but its availability, especially while traveling. I'd hate to need some coolant and have to start looking for a Ford dealership because no convenient store sells the type coolant I need. Just my opinion...
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2009 | 07:48 PM
  #11  
YoGeorge's Avatar
YoGeorge
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Originally Posted by Furian
I have the 5.4L engine. I think that I'll take mwsF250's approach the next time that I change my coolant. I know that I can completely flush what's in there now and go with the "green stuff." My concern is not the cost of the Motorcraft Gold coolant but its availability, especially while traveling. I'd hate to need some coolant and have to start looking for a Ford dealership because no convenient store sells the type coolant I need. Just my opinion...
I dunno; there are a lot of Ford dealers around. I like the 5-year life of the gold stuff, instead of the 2 years on the green stuff. Unless you have a leak, you shouldn't need to add antifreeze on a trip or otherwise....and in a pinch, you could just add water if it was above freezing, or some generic "mix with anything" antifreeze from any auto parts store to get you home or wherever.

I just don't see any negatives to staying with the gold G-05.

George
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2009 | 01:07 PM
  #12  
renoduckman's Avatar
renoduckman
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 442
Likes: 7
From: reno nevada
thanks

Thanks for the advice. Will go with the Go5. The cost is not the issue, i just didnt want to screw up! Ford probably gets it from Zerex. Joe
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jaybird8269
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jul 27, 2013 04:28 PM
78150custom
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Jan 23, 2012 09:40 PM
BrianA
3.8 & 4.2L V6
0
Jan 17, 2012 09:43 AM
samford150
2004 - 2008 F150
2
Oct 17, 2010 10:47 AM
biggreentank
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
19
Oct 10, 2006 06:31 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:25 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE