Best coolant for 7.3L IDI turbo? (may have never had SCA) - Diesel Forum

jgibbens · 05-03-2005, 10:52 AM

Just picked up a 94 f250 with a 7.3 IDI turbo K vin. (Thanks for clearing up my mistake on the vin letter ). After finally tracking down the owner, found out it hasn't had SCA between 30K and 156K (present), and possibly never had SCA. No outward signs of cavitation, and it passed compresson checks (also pressure checked coolant system)

Which coolant type will be the best for this engine? Regular coolant with the Ford additive, or one of the newer extended life coolants? Would one of the two types be better for an engine that might already have some cavitation damage? Thanks in advance.

aaklingler · 05-03-2005, 12:35 PM

I hate to give you bad news but from your vin you have a psd, 8th digit of vin. You can run pretty much any coolant you want, as long as its low-silacate for diesels, you can get it with the additive already in if you want.

OkieGringo · 05-03-2005, 01:00 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I hate to give you bad news but from your vin you have a psd, 8th digit of vin. You can run pretty much any coolant you want, as long as its low-silacate for diesels, you can get it with the additive already in if you want.

[/ QUOTE ]

I was at the local diesel shop the other day and they had this new Prestone Pre-Charged AntiFreeze. It comes in a black bottle with purple background and the liquid/coolant is PURPLE. Anyone know if this stuff can be combined with the old green Pre-Charged? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]Baja

jgibbens · 05-03-2005, 02:35 PM

It's the 8th digit?... oops. My vin is 1F.....K... The truck doesn't have a powerstroke logo on it anywhere I've seen.

mgraveman · 05-03-2005, 05:13 PM

I think the way it was shown may have confused. 8th digit K is IDI turbo. 8th digit F is powerstroke.

jgibbens · 05-03-2005, 05:58 PM

Thanks for clearing that up. When I saw the different vin labels F,K, thought it was the first letter... oops. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

So what coolant type would be the best for this engine given its present condition?

argve · 05-03-2005, 06:18 PM

Really there is no way to say this one is best... but here is what I would do...

I would get me some low silicate green not precharged coolant then get me some distilled water - mix 'em up, then start refilling - add in my DCA (1 full bottle) then enjoy for a couple days. Then I would test the system via the rad - then add more DCA as needed.

But if you wanted to run ELC Precharged coolant - go for it.

If you wanted to run Precharged Std life coolant - go for it.

If you wanted to run non precharged std life coolant - go for it.

Basically what we are looking for is a low silicate formula coolant with some additive (either already there or via a bottle) to protect the liners... After that it's not hard.