What coolant are you running?

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:21 pm

I'm getting ready to replace my thermostat and want to do a coolant flush at the same time. I'm inclined to put the same ELC coolant that is in my ford powerstroke in my CRD. I have read many scary things about SCA's, cavitation and silicate drop out with coolants that are not ELC.

Is anyone here running ELC or do you prefer the Zerex type G-05?

Is there a simple way to flush the system completey? I saw squeetos flush round two, but i would like to know if there is another way to do it.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 2:39 pm

You need to use a HOAT coolant and Zerex G-05 is HOAT. Ford trucks beginning with the 2002 model year also appear, per Zerex, to use a HOAT coolant so I suspect ELC is HOAT but I cannot find anything online that says so. If you can determine that ELC is HOAT then it should be ok. Whatever you do don't mix HOAT with anyother coolant, it may work but there have been some very bad outcomes.

There is a FSM method but it requires equipment. You can do the multiple fill and drain cycle with demineralized water until the fluid comes clear or nearly clear; like 7 cycles. Alternatively I think, but have yet to try, that the Prestone flush and fill kit installed in the like from the viscous heater to the cab heater core can be used to flush the system. Either way keep in mind that you cannot gravity drain the entire system due to the routing of the lower radiator hose.

Also check out the CRD Tech post on a handy tool to open the radiator drain plug.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 3:49 pm

My powerstroke originally came with G-05 coolant, but most folks have switched to a heavy duty ELC (extended life coolant). ELC coolants have no SCA additives and do not requires SCA testing or maintenance over the life of the coolant. Here is a copy and paste from a Ford powerstroke thread:

QUOTE Start:
Ford's Gold (G-05) coolant is nothing like a Heavy Duty ELC coolant. Thus is will not meet the more strict specs of other Heavy Duty ELC coolants, or provide the higher level of protection. The Gold is simply a universal hybrid, one-size-fits-all coolant that Ford uses in its entire line up that, with the exception of the Powerstroke, are all gasoline engines. Ford simply uses the Gold in your diesel out of convenience, simplicity, cost, and uniformity throughout it's product line and dealerships. The Gold coolant contains conventional (green coolant) components like silicate, which eventually form microscopic abrasives that eat water pump seals. It provides a lower level of cavitation protection using traditional SCA's like Nitrite, it has a shorter life, it reduces heat transfer compared to HD ELC's, and it in fact does require testing and SCA maintenance if you are an enthusiast about protecting your engine. In fact Ford recommends you add SCA to the Gold in certain F-Series applications. Caterpillar and John Deere also recommend adding SCA if it is going to be used in their diesels. Ironically, Ford's Gold will not meet International's heavy duty diesel B-1 spec. HD ELC's will. The Gold will work, but it's not the best.

There are 4 choices for your Powerstroke....

Conventional coolant (usually green) with the addition of SCA at initial fill. Frequent SCA testing and maintenance there after.

Pre-charged coolant (usually purple or pink). Comes with an initial dose of SCA. Frequent SCA testing and maintenance required thereafter.

G-05 coolants. Comes pre-charged with SCA package. Flush required at 50K miles. Semi-annual SCA testing and maintenance recommended.

Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolants. Come pre-charged with carboxylate inhibitors. No testing or maintenance. Super protection. Super long life.

Specialty coolants. Evans. Waterless, pressureless. Long life. No maintenance or testing. Expensive.

Not to be used - Dexcool, Universal coolants, All-makes-all-models, etc.

I use Chevron's Delo HD ELC. Good for 750K miles/8 years or 1M miles with addition of an extender.
QUOTE END

This is why I am inclined to switch to an ELC, but I want to make sure I can flush all the G-05 out first.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sun Nov 20, 2011 8:42 pm

ebbnflow wrote:

My powerstroke originally came with G-05 coolant, but most folks have switched to a heavy duty ELC (extended life coolant). ELC coolants have no SCA additives and do not requires SCA testing or maintenance over the life of the coolant. Here is a copy and paste from a Ford powerstroke thread:

QUOTE Start:
Ford's Gold (G-05) coolant is nothing like a Heavy Duty ELC coolant. Thus is will not meet the more strict specs of other Heavy Duty ELC coolants, or provide the higher level of protection. The Gold is simply a universal hybrid, one-size-fits-all coolant that Ford uses in its entire line up that, with the exception of the Powerstroke, are all gasoline engines. Ford simply uses the Gold in your diesel out of convenience, simplicity, cost, and uniformity throughout it's product line and dealerships. The Gold coolant contains conventional (green coolant) components like silicate, which eventually form microscopic abrasives that eat water pump seals. It provides a lower level of cavitation protection using traditional SCA's like Nitrite, it has a shorter life, it reduces heat transfer compared to HD ELC's, and it in fact does require testing and SCA maintenance if you are an enthusiast about protecting your engine. In fact Ford recommends you add SCA to the Gold in certain F-Series applications. Caterpillar and John Deere also recommend adding SCA if it is going to be used in their diesels. Ironically, Ford's Gold will not meet International's heavy duty diesel B-1 spec. HD ELC's will. The Gold will work, but it's not the best.

There are 4 choices for your Powerstroke....

Conventional coolant (usually green) with the addition of SCA at initial fill. Frequent SCA testing and maintenance there after.

Pre-charged coolant (usually purple or pink). Comes with an initial dose of SCA. Frequent SCA testing and maintenance required thereafter.

G-05 coolants. Comes pre-charged with SCA package. Flush required at 50K miles. Semi-annual SCA testing and maintenance recommended.

Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolants. Come pre-charged with carboxylate inhibitors. No testing or maintenance. Super protection. Super long life.

Specialty coolants. Evans. Waterless, pressureless. Long life. No maintenance or testing. Expensive.

Not to be used - Dexcool, Universal coolants, All-makes-all-models, etc.

I use Chevron's Delo HD ELC. Good for 750K miles/8 years or 1M miles with addition of an extender.
QUOTE END

This is why I am inclined to switch to an ELC, but I want to make sure I can flush all the G-05 out first.

ELC coolants are not offered in Ford's besides there 2.5ton+ trucks.Ford has a TSB stating never to use a propylene glycol coolant in any of there engines due to severe engine damage caused by that coolant.There engines are not designed for propylene glycol and neither is your CRD.

Just use the correct coolant and flush it every 3 years/75k.If you can't afford that every 3-5 years might want to rethink your transportation method.

ebbnflow · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:18 am

tjkj2002,

Thanks for your opinion. I understand that ford and Chrysler want you to use G-05 in their entire line of late model vehicles. But my problem is that 99% of the motors they manyfacture are gas engines.

My powerstroke is manufactured by international harvester and IH recommends an ELC coolant even though ford sold all powerstrokes with either green up to 2001 and the gold G-05 after that.

The only diesel in Chryslers product line in 05-06 was manufactured by VM, even though they put G-05 in all their engines that only 1 of is a diesel made by a different company. This sounds pretty bean counter to me.

I guess my question is what does VM recommend? What is used to cool this engine across the pond?

WolverineFW · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:20 am

ebbnflow wrote:

tjkj2002,

Thanks for your opinion. I understand that ford and Chrysler want you to use G-05 in their entire line of late model vehicles. But my problem is that 99% of the motors they manyfacture are gas engines.

My powerstroke is manufactured by international harvester and IH recommends an ELC coolant even though ford sold all powerstrokes with either green up to 2001 and the gold G-05 after that.

The only diesel in Chryslers product line in 05-06 was manufactured by VM, even though they put G-05 in all their engines that only 1 of is a diesel made by a different company. This sounds pretty bean counter to me.

I guess my question is what does VM recommend? What is used to cool this engine across the pond?

Grand Cherokee had a diesel from 07-09 I believe.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:53 am

WolverineFW wrote:

Grand Cherokee had a diesel from 07-09 I believe.

That would be a mercedes engine,HOAT coolant required for that also since mercedes has been using that coolant for 20+ years now.

Quote:

My powerstroke is manufactured by international harvester and IH recommends an ELC coolant even though ford sold all powerstrokes with either green up to 2001 and the gold G-05 after that.

Yes IH builds the PS but for Ford and designed it for AIT coolants,or silcate based coolants which eythlene glycol and HOAT coolants both are.It's a light duty diesel.

yrkcrd · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:03 pm

Amsoil makes a POAT that I may try out.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/ant.aspx

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Nov 21, 2011 12:26 pm

yrkcrd wrote:

Amsoil makes a POAT that I may try out.

http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/ant.aspx

That junk is just Propylene Glycol coolant also and should not be used in your cooling system.

Joe Romas · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2011 8:11 am

What is so hard about using the recommended G5 coolant :banghead:

yrkcrd · **Posted:** Tue Nov 22, 2011 4:22 pm

Joe Romas wrote:

What is so hard about using the recommended G5 coolant :banghead:

Where is the fun is that??

What coolant are you running?

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