Which coolant?

[Houndog]

I know I've seen you all speak about which coolant to use but can't seem to find it. I have a 2000 EX 7.3 - ??????????

Houndog

[NCHornet]

No moderator please stop this now while we still have a chance!!!!
Please do a search on this subject, you will find more than enough info on the subject than you care to read.Oh well I'll sum it up for you.
2000 came with green so some say stay with green,but you have to keep up the SCA level.
Gold started in 2003 or something around there, suppose to be good 100K, but only from initial fill, thereafter 50K claims you don't have to add anything, but those of us running the gold have tested it and found it below minimum protection, don't ask.
Than you have the ELC coolants that the maker of our engines International approves, this is a heavy duty truly maintenance free coolant good for 6 years or 300K.
I am dumping my Gold and going ELC, which is what I should have done 20K ago.
Now you have it make up your own mind but please do the search.

[ponyboychris]

Houndog, seek out TDS member "Gooch" and PM him directly. He'll give you the low-down on coolants.

[Oneof6]

[ QUOTE ]
I know I've seen you all speak about which coolant to use but can't seem to find it. I have a 2000 EX 7.3 - ??????????

Houndog

[/ QUOTE ]

We might miss out on the opportunity for another 12 page discussion. Look up the poster Gooch, click on show all posts. Most of his posts are coolant issues or coolant linked issues. Once you read some you will get a feel for whom is most qualified to give advice. Gooch is by occupation, education, experience and unique knowledge is the Guru of coolant for this forum. If asked he will give you a short simple explanation, if challenged he will bury you with facts. fact that can be cross checked and verified, not mystery testimonials. 106

[SmokeyWren]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a 2000 EX 7.3 -

[/ QUOTE ]

Ford says you have a choice between the old low-silicate green coolant with added supplemental coolant additive, or the newer yellow or "gold" G-05 coolant. The Service Coolant Usage Chart (SCUC) Ford provides to all their dealership techs is at click here. Note the chart was revised on May 6, 2006, so it is as up to date as anything you can find from Ford.

Some naysayers claim the chart doesn't apply to diesels, but that's ridiculous. The chart includes F-650/F-750 which are available only with a diesel engine.

Note that '99 thru '01 Excursions are coded "GY", which means you can choose between green or yellow coolant. Ford has not approved any other long-life coolant other than the G-05, which is sold as Motorcraft Premium Gold or Zerex G-05 and a few other brands.

I changed mine to the G-05 coolant a couple of years ago, with no issues.

[Houndog]

Sorry to raise a ruckus guys, I wasn't trying to. I didn't know to search for "gooch" and I wont do that. Who has time these days to be buried in facts when we kill ourselves all day working. I just remember hearing about the two colored anti-freezes and thought maybe there was a definate color for certain years. It sounds like theres so many opinions with no definate that I'll probably just go to Wall-Mart and buy some Prestone 2. Actually, thanks SmokeyWren, Zerex G-05 it is. That was easy!

Houndog

[Oneof6]

[ QUOTE ]
Sorry to raise a ruckus guys, I wasn't trying to. I didn't know to search for "gooch" and I wont do that. Who has time these days to be buried in facts when we kill ourselves all day working. I just remember hearing about the two colored anti-freezes and thought maybe there was a definate color for certain years. It sounds like theres so many opinions with no definate that I'll probably just go to Wall-Mart and buy some Prestone 2. Actually, thanks SmokeyWren, Zerex G-05 it is. That was easy!

Houndog

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok I'll bite, personally I would rather be "buried in facts" than float on falsehoods. If you don't know how to or are unwilling to use the search feature then you will miss out on a huge volume of forum information on many topics, your loss. Go ahead and run the Ford Gold or G-O5. I run the Gold myself but supplement it to the spec that it should be but doesn't meet. Next time I change I won't use it. It just isn't the best choice, but is good enough, a coolant for our trucks. It was an overall compromise choice by Ford to be a middle of the road selection for both gasoline and diesels. Very convenient for them and their supply and manufacture needs. There are better coolants out there for PSD's, longer lasting and easier on water pumps. Good luck, 106

[Houndog]

No need to bite on anything oneof6. I asked a simple question and Smokeywren gave me a simple answer, and I thank him for that. It sounds real big for you to tell me I can't use the search function but I just needed a simple quick response. Thanks for your help.

Houndog

[Oneof6]

[ QUOTE ]
No need to bite on anything oneof6. I asked a simple question and Smokeywren gave me a simple answer, and I thank him for that. It sounds real big for you to tell me I can't use the search function but I just needed a simple quick response. Thanks for your help.

Houndog

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't write "can't" read it again. When one writes nothing can "sound" like anything. It is all in written verbiage. Mine is pretty clear usually if someone reads closely. If you will read the comments again from other posters they also recommended the search so don't take offense. I would recommend to anyone that they become familiar with the search feature in order to take advantage of a HUGE amount of information available on many, not just coolant, subjects. That is a great way to get a larger pool of information and set of facts and not just the simple, possibly incomplete, answer of who happens to be posting at the time. You are welcome [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]. 106

[NCHornet]

Simple and quick.
The Gold mixed with a 50/50 water mix only gives 800ppm of nitrite. Bare min protection is 1.2-3.0 with 2.0 being ideal.
I fell for the "GOLD is the wonder coolant" too. I have run it for 20K and decided to test it. Sure enough it was 800ppm, way to low for me. I had to add the SCA, two bottles to bring it up to 2.0.
So don't think just because you bought the Gold you are good to go for another 50K, because this is simply not true. Others have tried to tell you the truth, there are way better coolants out there like the Fleetrite ELC it is good for 300K. If you still want to use the gold make sure you keep up with the nitrite level. If you want a coolant that you can trust is OK go with a ELC that is Cat EC-1 approved.
your choice just know what you are getting into!!!

[Gooch]

Houndog, it doesn't matter to me what coolant you use or what you consider an experienced, reliable source.

But if you want to know what "Ford says", here's something simple and quick: Ford's coolant spec for your 2000 is ESE-M97B44-A. The Gold coolant does not meet that spec. The Gold spec is WSS-M97B51-A1...Ford's light-duty universal spec that they call for in all of their gasoline engines.

Also be aware that the coolant chart is from a FCSD catalog. It is NOT an engineering bulletin or any type of official approval to use the Gold. In fact, in that same FCSD catalog where the chart comes from, Ford specifically says HERE NOT to use the Gold coolant in any system originally equipped with Green colored coolant. In that catalog Ford also lists engineering service bulletins HERE (2-23-7, 1-23-6, 02-3-4) that reiterate NOT using Gold coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Green. Ford also continues to publish the results of their compatibility testing and their position on not using the Gold in vehicles with Green HERE at Q5. Finally, you can see HERE that Ford requires the addition of SCA to the Gold in diesel applications where the Gold coolant alone doesn't cut it. Keep in mind that catalog's chart doesn't even mention the Powerstroke, or its special coolant needs. The chart has many problems, contradictions, and over-sights. Again, it is not approval.


[ QUOTE ]
By SmokeyWren:

Ford says you have a choice between the old low-silicate green coolant with added supplemental coolant additive, or the newer yellow or "gold" G-05 coolant.

[/ QUOTE ]

No they don't. Nowhere has Ford officially approved the use of Gold in PSD's that came with Green, nor have they superceded engineering bulletins that say not to use the Gold in PSD's with Green. Nowhere has Ford said that the Gold WSS-M97B51-A1 spec coolant meets, is equivalent to, or can be substituted for the ESE-M97B44-A spec.


[ QUOTE ]
By SmokeyWren:

Some naysayers claim the chart doesn't apply to diesels, but that's ridiculous. The chart includes F-650/F-750 which are available only with a diesel engine.

[/ QUOTE ]

The F-650-750 applications require the addition of SCA to the Gold. The catalog chart doesn't mention that important factor. And the chart makes no mention of the Powerstroke. In fact it conflicts with International's recommendation not to use OAT-based coolants (the Gold is OAT-based) in engines built prior to 2/2/99 (SN 940614) per THIS, page 2. That can't be ignored...International made the engine.


[ QUOTE ]
By SmokeyWren:

Ford has not approved any other long-life coolant other than the G-05, which is sold as Motorcraft Premium Gold...

[/ QUOTE ]

Again, the Gold is not approved for his 2000 PSD. And Ford is not in a habit of approving other competitive coolants, nor are they a testing grounds for all other coolants. Ford simply wants you to buy their brand with their own special spec. Many other quality ELC coolants meet or exceed the Ford spec.

Houndog, there are much better coolants for your PSD than the Gold. Heavy-duty diesel ELC's have a longer life, more robust corossion and cavitation inhibitors, easier on your water pump (silicate-free), better heat transfer, and less maintenance to name a few. Plus, unlike the Gold, these ELC's will meet most all heavy-duty diesel specs including International's, who made your engine. In fact, International recommends them.

[pabrannan]

[ QUOTE ]
I know I've seen you all speak about which coolant to use but can't seem to find it. I have a 2000 EX 7.3 - ??????????

Houndog

[/ QUOTE ]

Houndog, please listen to Gooch, he has the credentials(found in past posts). After reading ALL the coolant posts I have switched to an ELC, just makes sense. And trust me I have also researched the internet too.

Now you have a choice, as does everyone, again mine was Cat ELC.

Paul B

[468LC]

In houndogs defense the search here is the worst one on the internet whether he tried to search or not.

That being said I have seen over the years all the bickering and bs associated with coolant in this forum. To avoid all that I go down to my local dealer and buy the proper motorcraft coolant and additive and sleep fine at night lol.

Good luck folks.

[Roadfrog]

[ QUOTE ]
In houndogs defense the search here is the worst one on the internet whether he tried to search or not

[/ QUOTE ]

No kidding! I consider myself above average computer savvy, as well as a member here for over 4 years, and I STILL can't figure it out! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[jlrsn]

Houndog,
If you buy a coolant make sure it has the required Supplemental Cooling Additive (SCA)!

SCA's, maintained at the correct level, helps prevent cavitation of your engine. If you're unfamiliar with cavitation PM me and I'll email you a lot of good reading.

I personally use Low Silicate Fleetguard P/N CC2835 ES Compleat Extended Life Propylene Glycol Antifreeze/Coolant 50/50 Premix containing organic acids that provide superior diesel engine protection by preventing liner pitting, corrosion and scale. It contains DCA-4 brand SCA's.

Fleetguard recently changed their name to Cummins Filtration. Fleetguard products are available worldwide and if interested you can call their North American Customer Assistance Center at (800) 223-4583 to find the closest distributor to you.

Good luck,
Jim