Here's the link

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...tml?styleid=16

 

Here's a breakdown of how my coolant flush went earlier this week.

Started by draining out the original coolant. Drained from the stopcock valve, lower radiator hose, and drivers side of the engine block. When I first bought the truck I looked at the coolant and notice that it wasn't green. After bringing it home and looking at it more I thought it had a slight green tint to it. I was concerned about the type of coolant in there.



I put in (2) quarts of Ford's VC-9 and filled up with distilled water to the MIN line. I drove the truck for about 2 hours (80% freeway and 20% stop and go). I then removed the thermostat and then went through (5) flushes with distilled water, drained, and here is the progression of what came out of my truck. I drove the truck during the distilled water flush for about 10 minutes. I went with Ford's VC-7B Gold coolant to refill the cooling system.



(original coolant is on the left for reference)


Observations
- Have an extra stop **** valve on hand. If the coolant is changed periodically I would think that this part would be worthwhile to change as well (at the end during the final fill) . I broke mine between the 4th and 5th flush and it was 5:30PM...
- As I crawled under the truck several times, I pondered the benefits of having the Fumoto valves. $50 (current price for two) is quite the expense. Yes, it would have been easier with less mess. Something to consider for the next time.
- I found it helpful to have (2) two five gallon buckets to place each under the stopcock valve and lower radiator hose, the height of my buckets cleared the bottom of the truck. A small catch pan for the drivers side engine drain plug.
- When emptying the drivers side engine drain plug I placed a narrow but long piece of cardboard between me and the small catch pan to prevent fluid splashing onto me.
- My ECT/EOT before the flush was 180/190F. I needed to change out the thermostat. And after the flush I had an ECT/EOT of 192/199F. I am happier to know that my ECT/EOT are at temperatures to be expected.
- 8mm allen head with about 6-8" extension is good for removing the drivers side engine drain plug (anything shorter or longer gives a smaller wrenching arc).
- Took me about 45 minutes to drain from the three locations, refill, check fill level and leaks, then take out for a drive. Then repeat.
- I didn't let the truck cool down before draining. I found that if I drained most of the fluid out the stop **** valve, 3/4 of the 5 gallon bucket, I could carefully remove the lower radiator hose to empty into another 5 gallon bucket without making a mess. After draining from these two locations I would drain from the drivers side engine drain plug.

 

So what is everyone using for coolant now? Still ford gold? Any of the pink ELC's good ok to use? Like prestone ELC?

My truck has 180K on green coolant and is now dry and ready for something else.

 

I still have Ford yellow gold and have not had any problems. I have debated going with an ELC coolant but I have learned not to fix what isn't broke. My flushes have been done 3 times in 60,000 miles which could have led to my luck with Ford yellow gold coolant.

 

So when I took my truck to the dealer to get this $100 job done my truck never left the bay. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?

 

Why would it need to leave the bay? I do mine in the driveway, and the truck doesn't move from start to finish.

I agree that dealers are not likely to do the job as thoroughly as you would do it.

 

Wow that's a hell of a deal, how long did it take them to do it?

 

There are ford dealerships with the coolant flush machine. It will extract the old coolant and replace with the new coolant. Cos of tat, ur truck don't need to leave the bay.

Dom

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out of curiousity, what kind of level does this mix give you for the cold weather (sub zero here in the winter) protection?

 

It was about 2 hours.

Next question I have is I'm going to do this with VC-9 and I already have a coolant filter do I need to shut it of during the procedure I saw someone earlier say that's what they did, but doesn't that restrict flow?

 

Just read all 12 pages of this.
Had the cooler, head gaskets, ARP studs, etc. done by a local diesel shop. They suggested a flush after 500 miles and then add a coolant filter. I will be doing this this weekend. A lot of great info.
Thanks

 

So I did this flush today. Boy was that wet and wild. Added a Sinister Diesel coolant filter on the recommendation of the mechanic.

 

Good luck with it, you've had a bunch of work done, hopefully it's ready to rock n roll for a while now!

 

Thanks. So far this site has been great. I'm obviously new in here and have a lot to learn. Gonna sound like an idiot for a while.

 

Pardon my ignorance, but what ELC coolant is recommended? I have Ford Gold in there now and I see that the ELC is more and more the recommended coolant.

The local NAPA store has Zerex. Would that be suitable?

Thank you in advance. Jeremy