Motorcraft Premium Gold antifreeze

[Foy]

From a close, careful reading of Gooch's coolant changing "Sticky" in the 7.3 FAQs, I believe the product labeled "Motorcraft Premium Gold Antifreeze with Bittering Agent" is NOT the proper ELC coolant for my engine (signature below). The label goes on to say " ethelyne glycol based, extended life", and meets "Ford Spec WSS-M97B51-A1" and "ASTM D 3306-00A" and furthermore labeled "VC-7-B" "FIR No. 18630". Lastly, the product label states "do not mix with or use where originally Ford spec WSS-M97B44-D or DexCool was specified" and "not where Premium Green ESE M97B44A" was original spec.

To repeat, my read says the product described above is NOT the ELC coolant I want. Can somebody familiar with the situation confirm that?

I'm having trouble sourcing red ELC antifreeze. The local IH dealer is out of Fleetrite ELC and I can't seem to find the Delo, Rotella, or other ELC products locally here in Raleigh, NC. Dang it.

Thanks for any input.

[SmokeyWren]

Believe who you want to, but Ford says the Motorcraft Premium Gold is exactly the coolant you want in your cooling system.
http://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricant...ckref/scuc.pdf

That chart says if your '99-'01 F-250 thru F-550 was assembled in the Kentucky Truck Plant KTP), then you can use either green or yellow (code GY) coolant. If your 2002-up F-250 thru F-550 was assembled in the KTP, then you should use the yellow (code Y) coolant known as Motorcraft Premuim Gold.

The yellow/gold antifreeze also sold as Zerex G-05.

[Foy]

Thanks for the detail and the link.

As I read further after posting, I re-read your sticky regarding coolant changes and there you specified the Motorcraft Premium Gold. I see there is a difference of opinion as to the proper antifreeze. Perhaps it can be said both the red ELCs and the Premium Gold are acceptable. Regardless of what IH might recommend (apparently the basis for Gooch's opinion), I'm a little uncomfortable going +3 years without changing it out, so reckon I'll go with the Premium Gold. It's also very unlikely I'd put 50,000 miles on her in 3 years.

Two followup questions:

1) Is my build date and build plant within my VIN? Is there a link to decipher that info within my VIN?

2) Does the SCA additive need to be added and periodically checked with the GY or the Y coolant? As I read through the sticky citing the ELS red antifreeze, it was apparent the additive and subsequent test-strip testing wasn't needed there. For now, I'm assuming I need the additive with the GY or Y antifreeze.

Thanks again SW,

Foy

[SmokeyWren]

Originally Posted by Foy

1) Is my build date and build plant within my VIN? Is there a link to decipher that info within my VIN?

The month/year of assembly is on the Federal Certification Label on the lower doorpost behind the driver's door.

The code for the assembly plant is included in position 11 of the VIN.

E = Kentucky Truck (Jefferson County, Kentucky)
M = Cuautitlan (Cuautitlan, Mexico)

http://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/vin_tools/

2) Does the SCA additive need to be added and periodically checked with the GY or the Y coolant? .

"GY" = either green or yellow (gold) coolant can be used.

If "G" green coolant is used, the SCA must be maintained.

If "Y" yellow/gold coolant is used - and provided you did a proper job of getting all the old greeen stuff out using either one of the coolant change procedures in the '99-'07 Engine and Drivetrain FAQ sub-forum - then Ford says you do not need to worry about the SCA if you change it every 50,000 miles as Ford requires.

As I read through the sticky citing the ELS red antifreeze, it was apparent the additive and subsequent test-strip testing wasn't needed there. For now, I'm assuming I need the additive with the GY or Y antifreeze.

Beware of self-proclaimed coolant experts. Go by what the professionals at Ford and Zerex say. (Zerex makes the Motorcraft Premium Gold, which is the same thing as Zerex G-05.)
Valvoline.com > Products > Antifreeze Radiator Products > Antifreeze > Zerex G-05® Antifreeze / Coolant

Note that Ford says 50,000 miles and Zerex says 150,000 miles life. The difference is in the assumptions about how good a job you'll do when you install the gold antifreeze. But in my truck I'll change it every 50,000 miles or three years, whichever comes first.

[444-4D]

Originally Posted by Foy

To repeat, my read says the product described above is NOT the ELC coolant I want. Can somebody familiar with the situation confirm that?

It may not be the coolant you want, you have to decide that. It is a coolant that will work especially if you drive less than 50,000 miles per 3 years. It wouldn't be one of my top choices but I would use it if I needed to. If I used it I would add some SCA on the initial fill and test it every 10-15,000 miles. Even the HD coolants should be tested but most of the vehicles that use them run 150,000 miles a year. I wouldn't use a coolant that I thought wouldn't last longer than 3 years or 50,000 miles. There are HD conventional coolants that will easily go 5 years and 250,000 miles,

[woodnthings8]

Is there a link to decipher that info within my VIN?

2002 VIN Codes explained.

The first three vehicle identification number (VIN) positions are the world manufacturer code.

1FD — Ford Motor Company, USA, incomplete vehicle
1FM — Ford Motor Company, USA, multi-purpose vehicle
1FT — Ford Motor Company, USA, truck, completed vehicle
2FM — Ford Motor Company, Canada, multi-purpose vehicle
3FD — Ford Motor Company, Mexico, incomplete vehicle


The fourth VIN position is the vehicle brake type and GVWR code (all vehicles use hydraulic brakes).

N — 8,501-9,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
S — 9,001-10,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
W — 10,001-14,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
X — 14,001-16,000 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
A — 16,001-19,500 pounds GVWR with driver and front passenger air bags
H — 8,501-9,000 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)
J — 9,000-10,000 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)
K — 10,001-14,000 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)
L — 14,001-16,000 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)
M — 16,001-19,500 pounds GVWR, without air bags (Mexico)


Positions 5 through 7 indicate vehicle line, series and body type.

F20 — F-250, Regular Cab, 4x2, single rear wheels
X20 — F-250, SuperCab, 4x2, single rear wheels
W20 — F-250, Crew Cab, 4x2, single rear wheels
F21 — F-250, Regular Cab, 4x4, single rear wheels
X21 — F-250, SuperCab, 4x4, single rear wheels
W21 — F-250, Crew Cab, 4x4, single rear wheels
F30 — F-350, Regular Cab, 4x2, single rear wheels
X30 — F-350, SuperCab, 4x2, single rear wheels
W30 — F-350, Crew Cab, 4x2, single rear wheels
F31 — F-350, Regular Cab, 4x4, single rear wheels
X31 — F-350, SuperCab, 4x4, single rear wheels
W31 — F-350, Crew Cab, 4x4, single rear wheels
F32 — F-350, Regular Cab, 4x2, dual rear wheels
X32 — F-350, SuperCab, 4x2, dual rear wheels
W32 — F-350, Crew Cab, 4x2, dual rear wheels
F33 — F-350, Regular Cab, 4x4, dual rear wheels
X33 — F-350, SuperCab, 4x4, dual rear wheels
W33 — F-350, Crew Cab, 4x4, dual rear wheels
F34 — F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, single rear wheels
X34 — F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, single rear wheels
W34 — F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, single rear wheels
F35 — F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, single rear wheels
X35 — F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, single rear wheels
W35 — F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, single rear wheels
F36 — F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, dual rear wheels
X36 — F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, dual rear wheels
W36 — F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2, dual rear wheels
F37 — F-350, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, dual rear wheels
X37 — F-350, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, dual rear wheels
W37 — F-350, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4, dual rear wheels
F46 — F-450, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
W46 — F-450, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
W42 — F-450, Crew Cab (with box), 4x2, dual rear wheels
W43 — F-450, Crew Cab (with box), 4x4, dual rear wheels
F47 — F-450, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
W47 — F-450, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
F56 — F-550, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
W56 — F-550, Crew Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
F57 — F-550, Regular Cab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
X46 — F-450, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
X47 — F-450, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
X56 — F-550, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x2
X57 — F-550, SuperCab (Chassis Cab), 4x4
W57 — F-550, Crew Cab, (Chassis Cab), 4x4
U40 — Excursion, 4x2, XLT
U41 — Excursion, four-door, 4x4, XLT
U42 — Excursion, four-door, 4x2, Limited
U43 — Excursion, four-door, 4x4, Limited


The eighth VIN position is the engine displacement and number of cylinders.

L — 5.4L, Modular, SOHC, EFI, V8, Gas
S — 6.8L, SOHC, EFI, V10, Gas
F — 7.3L, OHV, DI Turbo, V8, Diesel
Z — 6.8L, gaseous fuel prep (F-Series)
D — 6.8L, propane only (F-Series)
B — 5.4L, propane only (F-Series)


The ninth VIN position is a government assigned, computer-generated check digit.



The tenth VIN position is the model year code.

· 2 — 2002



The eleventh VIN position is the assembly plant code.

S — Allen Park (Allen Park, Michigan)
E — Kentucky Truck (Jefferson County, Kentucky)
M — Cuautitlan (Cuautitlan, Mexico)


The last six VIN positions are an alphanumeric code for the vehicle build sequence. This is also the vehicle serial and warranty number.

· A0000-E99999 — Ford Division

VC LAbel Info

Exterior paint codes may be listed as a two-part code. The first set of characters listed indicate the vehicle primary body color code. The second set of characters listed (if applicable) indicated a two-tone or accent body color code.

AQ — Arizona Beige (clear coat), F-Series
BY — School Bus Yellow, Mexico sold only, F-Series
CX — Dark Shadow Gray (clear coat), F-Series
F1 — Vermilion Red (clear coat), F-Series
EP — Vermilion Red Solid, Mexico sold only, F-Series
FN — Dark Toreador Red, F-Series
GX — Dark Toreador Red, Mexico sold only, F-Series
L2 — True Blue (clear coat)
LR — Sapphire Blue (clear coat), F-Series
PB — Jewel Green, Mexico sold only, F-Series
PK — Chesapeake Blue, Mexico sold only, F-Series
PY — Highland Green (waterborne), F-Series
UD — Ebony, F-Series
TX — Bright Silver, Mexico sold only, F-Series
YO — Oxford White, Mexico sold only, F-Series
Z1 — Oxford White, Mexico build U.S. sold, F-Series
Z1 — Oxford White (clear coat), F-Series
Z3 — Silver Metallic (clear coat), F-Series
FL — Toreador Red, Excursion
JP — Silver Birch Metallic, Excursion
LD — Medium Wedgewood Blue, Excursion
P5 — Aspen Green, Excursion
ST — Estate Green, Excursion
TK — Mineral Gray, Excursion
UA — Ebony, Excursion
YZ — Oxford White, Excursion

Wheelbase
137 — 137-inch wheelbase (F-Series, Excursion)
141 — 141-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
142 — 142-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
156 — 156-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
158 — 158-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
162 — 162-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
165 — 165-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
172 — 172-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
176 — 176-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
189 — 189-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
200 — 200-inch wheelbase (F-Series)
201 — 201-inch wheelbase (F-Series)


Brake Type
· B — Four-wheel anti-lock brakes system (ABS)

Interior trim codes are listed as a two-part code. The first character listed identifies the trim type. The second character listed identifies the interior trim color.

Interior Trim Type
V — Vinyl bench seat, F-Series
K — Knitted vinyl bench seat, F-Series
C — Cloth bench seat, F-Series
F — Cloth captains chairs, Excursion
F — Flight bench seat, Mexico sold F-Series XLT only
G — High back cloth individual seats, F-Series
H — High back knitted vinyl individual seats, F-Series
J — High back vinyl individual seats, F-Series
3 — Cloth 40/20/40 seats, F-Series/Excursion
D — Cloth 40/20/40 seats with integrated restraints, F-Series
8 — Leather 40/20/40 seats, F-Series
9 — Leather 40/20/40 seats with integrated restraints, F-Series
2 — Cloth captains chairs, F-Series
6 — Cloth captains chairs with integrated restraints, F-Series
4 — Leather captains chairs, F-Series/Excursion
7 — Leather captains chairs with integrated restraints, F-Series
5 — Leather quad captains chairs, F-Series
L — Leather captains chairs, Excursion Limited


Tape/Paint Stripe
D — Light Argent/Medium Platinum/Light Argent, F-Series XLT
E — Arizona Beige/Dark Sandalwood/Arizona Beige, F-Series
F — Wild Strawberry/Dark Shadow Gray/Wild Strawberry, F-Series


Radio Type
7 — AM/FM stereo with clock, F-Series
G — Delete AM/FM stereo with clock, all other components installed, F-Series
9 — AM/FM stereo with cassette and clock, F-Series/Excursion
R — Delete AM/FM stereo with cassette and clock, all other components installed, F-Series
K — AM/FM stereo with cassette and compact disc player, F-Series/Excursion
Y — Delete standard AM radio with clock, F-Series
1 — AM/FM stereo with cassette and in-dash six disc compact disc (CD) changer, F-Series/Excursion

Axle Type
The following lists the gear ratios on rear axles.

31 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-250/Excursion
C1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-250/Excursion
32 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-250
C2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-250/Excursion
33 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-250
C3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-250/Excursion
36 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-250
C6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-250
41 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
42 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
43 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
46 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
D6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-350 (single rear wheels)
61 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
F1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
62 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
F2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
63 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
66 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
F6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-350 (dual rear wheels)
81 — 3.73 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E1 — 3.73 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
82 — 4.10 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E2 — 4.10 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
83 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
86 — 4.56 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
E6 — 4.56 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
88 — 4.88 non-limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
EW — 4.88 limited slip, F-350 Chassis Cab, narrow frame (dual rear wheels)
G3 — 4.30 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
73 — 4.30 non-limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
78 — 4.88 non-limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
G8 — 4.88 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
75 — 5.38 non-limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
G5 — 5.38 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
GW — 4.10 limited slip, F-450 Chassis Cab
98 — 4.88 non-limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
K8 — 4.88 limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
95 — 5.38 non-limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
K5 — 5.38 limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab
KW — 4.10 limited slip, F-550 Chassis Cab


Transmission Type
E — Four-speed automatic overdrive (4R100), gasoline engines, F-Series/Excursion
9 — Four-speed automatic overdrive (4R100), diesel engine, F-Series/Excursion
6 — Six-speed manual, Dana ZF (M6HD-6), F-Series
5 — Six-speed manual, F-Series (5.4L, 6.8L Gas)
2 — Five-speed manual, F-Series (5.4L, 6.8L Gas/LPG), Mexico only

Springs
Springs codes are listed as a two-part code. The first character listed is for the front springs. The second code listed is for the rear springs. Auxiliary rear springs may also be listed.

Front Springs — F-Series
Base part number — 5310 (RH/LH)
Pre-fix — F81A
B — Suffix BA
C — Suffix CA
D — Suffix DA
E — Suffix EA
F — Suffix FA
G — Suffix GA
H — Suffix HA
I — Suffix RA
J — Suffix SA
K — Suffix TA
L — Suffix UA
Pre-fix — 1C34
S — Suffix AAA
T — Suffix ABA
U — Suffix ACA
V — Suffix ADA
W — Suffix AEA
X — Suffix AFA
Front Springs — Excursion
Base part number — 5310 (RH/LH)
Pre-fix — YC35
G — Suffix G
H — Suffix H
S — Suffix S
Pre-fix — 1C34
AG
AH
AJ
Rear Springs — F-Series
L — Rear air suspension
B — 1C34-5560-CB, F-250, F-350
C — 1C35-5560-DB, F-250, F-350
D — YC35-5560-EA, F-250, F-350
M — YC35-5A975-AA, F-450, F-550
N — YC35-5A975-BA, F-450, F-550
Auxiliary Springs — F-Series
A — YC35-5588-A (wide frame)
D — F81A-5588-D (narrow frame)
Rear Springs — Excursion
Base part number — 5560 (RH/LH)
Pre-fix — YC35
A — Suffix A
Pre-fix — 1C34
B — Suffix B