[tnnuke]

I have found the information on how to change and flush the coolant system on my 2002 F250. It does not look to bad, just a little messy.

Picked up two pints of Fleetrite coolant additive at the Knoxville International dealer. They told me to use the Normal green glycol and then add the addititve. I have also got the strips to sample it to make sure it is at the right concentration. I noticed my truck has the lighter orange fluid. Will I be OK swapping fluids?

I was inspecting the hoses and I think I will change the lower radiator hose and what is the other 1" hose that goes into the radiator bottom?? It looks like it needs changing.
The top hoses look great. I squeezed them and they are not weak at all.

I also need to change the thermostat and I was wondering if there is a prefered thermostat?? Rockauto has the motorcraft one and it is $27. It must come with something additional?? Here is the description, can you tell what all it comes with? Do I need to buy gaskets and a housing??

MOTORCRAFT Part # RT1197 {#F6TZ8575AA, F6TZ8575BA, RT1125}
Inlet Tube; Manufacturer part classification of 190 degree Ex. Hi Temp. Specific applications have variable temperature releases. This application may open at 192 degrees.; 190 Ex. Hi Temp; Lower
Direct Injection; Outlet Seal; Manufacturer part classification of 190 degree Ex. Hi Temp. Specific applications have variable temperature releases. This application may open at 192 degrees.; 190 Ex. Hi Temp

Is there anything else I need to buy other than Distilled water?

Rob

 

[SmokeyWren]

I noticed my truck has the lighter orange fluid. Will I be OK swapping fluids?

If you don't know exactly what's in there, then I would get it out of there. I changed mine last month, with the procedures at this link:
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums...ill-methods-average-joe-perfectionest-215599/

Most 2002s came with maintenance-free yellow/gold G-05 coolant. Ford says if yours came with G-05, then that's what you should continue to use. Ford's brand is Motorcraft Premium Gold, which is Zerex G-05 in a Ford bottle. You can also use Zerex G-05.

The procedures linked to above will answer most of your questions.

 

[tnnuke]

Can you add the fleetrite coolant additive to the Zerex G-05?

Rob

 

[444-4D]

As to another rubber hose going into the radiator, I don't have it on mine.

Are you sure about that? If you don't have one I'd be interested in a description of the hose routing on your truck.

 

[444-4D]

what is the other 1" hose that goes into the radiator bottom?? It looks like it needs changing.

It is the Degas bottle outlet hose. The small hose at the top is called the inlet hose.

 

[SmokeyWren]

Can you add the fleetrite coolant additive to the Zerex G-05?

You can, but Ford says you don't need to add anything to the coolant for 50,000 miles, then you change it again.

 

[SmokeyWren]

Are you sure about that? If you don't have one I'd be interested in a description of the hose routing on your truck.

Yeah, you're right. I forgot about that degas return hose. And for some reason when I crawled under there last night to look, I didn't see that one. I must be getting old.

 

[Gooch]

Here's the real deal on flushing your coolant. It's written by a Coolant Specialist and it includes photographs, tips, part numbers, torque specs, and other important information concerning the right coolant for your PSD.

Gooch's Coolant Flush Procedure

Whenever SmokeyWren references his procedure (which is a poor attempt to copy mine) I feel responsible to warn folks of a few things...

First, beware of SmokeyWren's suggestion to use a homemade flush "T" connected to your house faucet. Doing that can easily damage your expensive cooling system. The proper "T" regulates and restricts flow for a reason. These flush T's can be found at any auto store for about $5.

Also, I would never recommend the "Average Joe" perform SmokeyWren's "quick and dirty" flush procedure, particularly if you are switching types of coolant. It's like doing a partial oil change, neglecting the most important reasons for doing the flush in the first place. Certainly not something most PSD enthusiasts would do.

No "perfectionist" would flush his old contaminated coolant and sediment back through the cooling system and out the little drain without first removing the block plugs. Removing the plugs greatly reduces flush time, waste, and the chance of lodging contamination somewhere else in your cooling system.

I won't go on, but it's too bad SmokeyWren locked his procedure to avoid comment, and refuses to recognize advice from the professionals.


tnnuke, you can certainly add the Fleetrite SCA to the Gold G-05. In fact Ford recommends doing just that in some of their F-Series diesel applications...The Gold G-05 is not up to the task otherwise, and exactly why it doesn't meet most heavy duty diesel engine maker's specifications. There are other diesel-specific coolants available that are completely maintenance-free, silicate-free, with ten-times the life, better cavitation and corrosion protection, better heat transfer, and easier on your water pump. They are called Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolants.

Ford says you don't need to add anything to the coolant for 50,000 miles, then you change it again.

Ford "says" a lot of things...like we don't need to test our SCA level with the Green coolant, just add some every 15K miles. But we know better because we are enthusiasts. And BTW, it's 50,000 miles/3-years, whichever comes first. Not much different than the conventional green coolant with SCA.