Coolant - Simple One...
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 30
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From: Surrey, UK
Coolant - Simple One...
Hi All,
Really simple question... new thermostat going in next week, so figured I'd start fresh with the coolant and SCA levels etc - given the truck's uncommon here in the UK and the haynes manuals are on their way still from the US - could someone give me the correct amount of coolant for the system? Obviously I could just keep filling - but want to get the DCA4 math worked out.
(engines a 6.9L)
Cheers - Ricky
Really simple question... new thermostat going in next week, so figured I'd start fresh with the coolant and SCA levels etc - given the truck's uncommon here in the UK and the haynes manuals are on their way still from the US - could someone give me the correct amount of coolant for the system? Obviously I could just keep filling - but want to get the DCA4 math worked out.
(engines a 6.9L)
Cheers - Ricky
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 319
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From: Western Australia
My manual says 27 liters for 7.3 and they have the same block so should be fairly close. I started a thread titled 'sca levels' the other day on this forum and got some good advice and also posted some rough figures enough to get started. I am doing mine in the morning so will let you know of any hurdles. My biggest problem was sourcing the coolant and dca 4 so if you have that covered your half way there. As a side note I have heard the haynes manuals are a bit limited, I have the oem manuals so if you need any info just post here and I will keep an eye out for you.
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From: Pukalani, HI
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Surrey, UK
Thanks for the info all... 8 Gallons it is then.
West Aussie - Yup I saw that thread a day or so ago - good stuff, made notes
GenLightening - Indeed Motorcraft it is... been getting stuff shipped from RockAuto, GP's (Motorcraft) ordered on last Weds - arrived Fri and that's not even using the quickest ship option... not bad for a 4000 mile trip.
While I've got your collective knowledge here, I was checking the rad out today and the lower hose felt like it had some kind of coil within it... that sound familiar?
Cheers - R
West Aussie - Yup I saw that thread a day or so ago - good stuff, made notes
GenLightening - Indeed Motorcraft it is... been getting stuff shipped from RockAuto, GP's (Motorcraft) ordered on last Weds - arrived Fri and that's not even using the quickest ship option... not bad for a 4000 mile trip.
While I've got your collective knowledge here, I was checking the rad out today and the lower hose felt like it had some kind of coil within it... that sound familiar?
Cheers - R
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: western SD
The lower radiator hose can have a big, loose coil spring in it to keep it from sucking together.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Western Australia
Ricky, Did mine today and I found I didnt get a complete drain just removing the bottom hose. There is a plug on each side of the block near the back and down low, about 15mm head . If you remove one of these you get much more of the old coolant out.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,477
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From: Taylorsville, NC
From the back of the Fleetguard test strip package: If levels are over 3.0 units per gal. do not add additional sca's until levels fall below 3.0 units per gal. Thats why they make the test strips.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 198
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From: I live in Tennessee
Doesnt hurt it to have too much. Ive never seen a cylinder liner get eat up for having too much DCA in it. Dump in the whole bottle for good measure. No need for test strips.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
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From: Nutter Fort, WV
To much can be just as bad as not enough.
To much tends to drop out of the coolant and make a nice sludge that can stop up the radiator, oil cooler and heater core.
If you have it mixed with an antifreeze with silicates in it, the problem is even worse.
To much tends to drop out of the coolant and make a nice sludge that can stop up the radiator, oil cooler and heater core.
If you have it mixed with an antifreeze with silicates in it, the problem is even worse.
Senior User
Joined: May 2008
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From: I live in Tennessee
