6.0L Power Stroke Engine and DrivetrainDiscussion of the 6.0L Power Stroke diesel engine and drivetrain in the 2003-Up Super Duties and Excursions. No gas engine discussion allowed except on transmissions and drivetrain that pertain to all models. Please confine discussion of topics in this forum to those items that are specific to the 6.0L Power Stroke engine.
I have a 2005 Excursion with 102000 miles, getting ready to install coolant filter and flush system. My question is which coolant should i use and would it be a good time to change thermostat? Thanks
Installing a flush system? What do you mean? If you mean flush then there's a TSB out there for flushing a contaminated cooling system. I consider every factory coolant fill contaminated until it's flushed and refilled due to the casting sand left over from the casting process for the block. I spliced a water hose and drain hose between where the coolant hose plugs into the bottom of hte degas bottle. First I drained everything with the pet**** and both block drain plugs (have to remove starter for pass. side plug access only takes like 5 mins.) and refilled with water and ran it for a little. All of this done with the thermostat removed for times sake. Then I let it run at high idle with a couple of gallons of simple green in the system. Flushed again with the hose. Then let it run for an hour or so at high idle with the motorcraft iron block cleaner. Flushed again with the hose then flushed with distilled water. Drained totally and refilled. Alot of time and work but I didn't mind spending the time on it if it's better for the truck. Dirty coolant causes most of the problems with this truck including alot of head gasket issues and obviously oil and EGR coolers.
For the type of coolant to use, ford Gold coolant is recommended and no you do not need to add any VC-8 (DCA4) additive as it is already mixed in the Gold stuff, unlike the Green. There are other equals to the ford gold coolant such as the fleetguard stuff I think. There are alot of threads on flushing cooling system and it's definetly recomended to maintain the cooling system just as much as anything else on the truck.
As for the thermostat, it's up to you. Pretty cheap and you may as well just to have it done for the future. I didn't with 77k miles on my 05.
It is when the truck idles at about 1200 rpm. There is a mod where you can use one of the upfitter switches in the truck and attach the wiring to it so that when certain variables are set the truck can be set to high idle while parked. I believe that at the start of the 6.0 powerstroke forum there is a pinned thread. Search for AIC or high idle mod and you should hit it.
Good luck.
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2006 F350-Lariat, CC/SB 4X4 SRW-Wedgewood blue
6.0L PSD, Auto, 'with all the goodies' except the moonroof, born 23/3/06
BCP mod-switch #4, CAC tube secured
Zoodad
LEER Canopy and Chrome stepbars, Draw-Tite 18k Signature Series hitch
Line-X bedliner
Sirius Satelite Stereo
Alarm/Remote start
2000 26 ft Frontier Plainsman fiver - 11k loaded
Looking to add LCD monitor/gauges, back up lights and intake elbow soon
As said before, Ford Gold Coolant from the dealer or use Zerex G05 (Napa has it for just under $16/gal). Mine was clean when drained, so I didn't use anything other than distilled water to flush.
There is no "pet friendly" antifreeze for these diesel trucks, be sure to bring it to a recycling center.
Stock up on a few coolant filters.
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2005 F350 turbo diesel Lariat 4x4 ext cab, short bed, SCT x2, MBRP turbo back, WeatherGuard box, the "beagle hauler".
1965 Factory Five Spyder GT, the 2nd one built out of 39 total. No top, no windows, no radio, no mufflers. Yeah, it's sweet.
International Harvester uses Fleetrite ECL in their VT-365 engines (6.0 equivalent). It's cherry red in color and is good for 300,000 miles...600,000 for big rig truckers. This is what I put in, after installing the coolant filter kit.
__________________ Fred
2004 F-350 CC DRW LB FX4 4x4
Oxford White/Arizona Beige
King Ranch
Herrin Hauler bed
4.10 Trac-Lok
Reman'd 6.0L @43,956 miles
Reman'd Turbo @54,814 miles
If you have a Murrays or O'Reillys auto parts check to see if they have Zerex Go5. I stumbled on the fact they are clearance-ing out Zerex and I got 12 gallons for .09 cents each!! it was like the deal of the century. This was yesterday.
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Alex Strand
2010 F350 6.4 DRW 4x4 FX4. Lariat ultimate package, homelink, 3.73 limited slip, line-x bedliner. white platinum metallic tri coat with 2 tone adobe and camel leather interior. Born on date: 09/2009 Delivered 5/27/10 with 43 miles
Currently 76K on the clock as of may 11'
Mods:
*Scan Gauge II
*CAT/DPF stock exhaust
*Recon cab, mirror, and fender lights
*High idle Mod
*20K Curt 5th wheel
*100 gallon aluminum flush mount fuel tank with direct fill into factory tank.
*Flush mount tool box
*Tinted windows
*Airlift bags on rear with compressor and 2.5 gal tank
International Harvester uses Fleetrite ECL in their VT-365 engines (6.0 equivalent). It's cherry red in color and is good for 300,000 miles...600,000 for big rig truckers. This is what I put in, after installing the coolant filter kit.
When I flushed and changed out my coolant, I went with the Shell Rotella ELC, supposed to be the same as the Fleetrite and I got it from the local International Dealer. This is the best coolant to use in our 6.0's.
When I flushed and changed out my coolant, I went with the Shell Rotella ELC, supposed to be the same as the Fleetrite and I got it from the local International Dealer. This is the best coolant to use in our 6.0's.
Al
Agreed. Between that and "fixing" the EGR cooler, my peace of mind has dramatically increased, regarding the reliability of this truck.
__________________ Fred
2004 F-350 CC DRW LB FX4 4x4
Oxford White/Arizona Beige
King Ranch
Herrin Hauler bed
4.10 Trac-Lok
Reman'd 6.0L @43,956 miles
Reman'd Turbo @54,814 miles
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