With 32K on the truck and test strips on hand I crawl under the truck to find the drain for the radiator. I think I found it. Is it the white plug with the allan wrench inset on the drivers side? If so that raises the question - can you loosen it enough to get a test sample without taking it completely out of the radiator. That would make a mess!!! I wonder if you can get a "regular" plug. If so I'm tempted to drain radiator, install replacement plug and refill with the appropriate coolant. Chuck

 

Why not just get some from the degas bottle? I'm pretty sure this would be a fairly good representation of what's in the system.

 

why don't you test it from the degas bottle?

 

The instructions in the letter Ford sent out says not to use the degas bottle. I assume there's not enough circulation to give a representative sample of what is in the radiator.

 

The instructions say to not collect it from the degas bottle.

CTS-3 Three-Way Antifreeze Specifications

You can read them at above link.

I received my test strips last week but have yet to use them.

Bob

 

Well I thought I would check the manual (motorcraftservice.com subscription) on the radiator drain and found instructions for the coolant test. Seems Ford is okay with degas bottle if.......

NOTE: The coolant sample may be collected from the degas bottle only if the vehicle has been driven at least 1600 km (1000 miles) since the last time coolant was added, otherwise collect the coolant sample from the radiator draincock.
NOTE: The coolant sample must be between 10°C (50°F) and 54°C (130°F) when tested or inaccurate readings may result.
Collect a coolant sample from the degas bottle using the syringe or drain from the radiator draincock.

Bob

 

I finally got around to testing coolant. I took a sample from the degas bottle even though the CTS3 instructions say not to. I took Bob's directions from the manual because I have well over 1,000 miles since adding any coolant, probably closer to 5,000 miles. The results: Nitrite, a little darker than the F block; Freezepoint greater than 50%. Guess I'm OK.

 

sounds good. I need to do mine too.

 

I have the strips but have been waiting on it to warm (weather) up so I can check it first thing in the morning.

Bob

 

Where did you buy the strips for the new coolant? They look similar to the strips I used on my '99 7.3 with the green coolant. Do you still use DCA4 additive to the extended life coolant?

 

Bulldog

I got my test strips from the Ford Dealer -- $6 for four strips and yes they look identical to the ones I used on my 7.3.

The following is a quote from motorcraftservice.com:

The coolant concentration should be maintained at 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water. The level of coolant should be maintained at the "COLD FILL" range in the coolant reservoir. If you suspect any coolant system leaks or lack of cooling, pressure test the cooling system. Refer to your Owner Guide for additional information.
��
Engine coolant system nitrite strength should be checked and serviced at the mileage or equivalent hour intervals specified by the maintenance schedule. Check coolant nitrite strength using the 3-Way Antifreeze Test Strip kit Rotunda # 328-00001 to determine if additive is required. If the nitrite strength is between 800 ppm & 300 ppm add 32 fl. oz. (946 mL) of Supplemental Coolant Additive Motorcraft VC-8 or equivalent. If nitrite strength is below 300 ppm flush & refill engine coolant (refer to Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant Change Record) – Do not add Supplemental Coolant Additive if flush & refill is required.

You can get this and the schedule by going to motorcraftservice.com and clicking on the non-subscription resources - enter year (2008 for me), vehicle (F450 for me) and then click on diesel maintenance tips.

 

Thanks marspec! I got a letter from Ford about the coolant test. I just turned 44k on my '08. I'll get the strips and some VC-8 if needed. I have seen very few posts on the coolant topic. I was diligent in testing the coolant on my 7.3. It's time to start testing my 6.4. I had some old strips left and I'm guessing they are different from the 7.3 with green coolant. They are outdated by now anyway.