[NRTS]

I've got 132,000 miles on my '02 and have done all maintenance myself. Had to replace the CPS. Thats it. Everything else just rock solid.

I got injured recently and needed some maintenance on the truck so I decided to do something heinous and take it to my local dealer.

When I bought the truck new in 2002 it had gold coolant in it. I read here in the forums many times that my vehicle required the gold coolant. I thought I was definitely straight on that.

So I go to pick up my truck and pop the hood and there is bright green coolant in the degas bottle. I go get the service manager and he insists that my truck must have the green coolant. I persist awhile then he takes me over to my truck and points to a sticker right on the degas bottle showing a bottle of gold coolant with a red diagonal line through it. He says "see, no gold coolant".

I am stunned. Never noticed the sticker. It is very small.

Anyway, I explain that the vehicle came with gold coolant and was run 132,000 miles on gold coolant. He said "the factory put in the wrong coolant, I've seen it before".

Whoa.

Could someone straighten me out? Is Smokey Wren still around?

Thanks.

 

[HighwayPrisoner]

The dealer is wrong! Gold coolant is the correct coolant for a 2002. My local dealer does not use distilled water, just tap water when they do coolant service. I bring my own coolant, and supervise the job. I have brought this to the attention of the service manager, but they ignore me. I have told them they are screwing uo the PH, and they are doing damage to cooling systems. They just think, I am a fanatic. The local city water is very hard. What is really pitiful, there is a Walmart Supercenter across the street. What a bunch of idiots. I use ELC coolant in my truck.

 

[klhansen]

Maybe that dealer has a bunch of green coolant on hand they're trying to get rid of, along with a generous supply of "no gold" stickers.

Although if they did it right, there's nothing wrong with green (conventional) coolant with SCA's.

 

[achowell]

ive got the green coolant too. wouldnt surprise me if my dealer was wrong though. they had to take the entire engine and trans out and take the heads off to diagnose a bad cps. fail. and yes smokeywren is still around.

 

[Gooch]

2002 was the year Ford began using the gold coolant. Some had green some had gold. It's likely your vehicle was made during the transition...you got the "new" gold coolant and an "old" sticker that said no gold. We've seen this before. A lot of techs respect Ford's recommendation to use the coolant the vehicle originally came with, some don't.

All PSD's can use the conventional green coolant with SCA. So you're safe there. But not all PSD's can use the Gold. Ford's Gold contains OAT (organic acid technology) that has been found incompatible by the engine maker, International, with pre-2/2/99 (SN 940614) built engines. Particularly the injector cup material, sensors, front cover, and some gaskets and o-rings. Later-built engines were revised to be compatible. You can PM me for the publication on that if you want. This is one of the reasons Ford has never officially approved the use of Gold coolants in Powerstrokes that came with green.

Your real concern should be if the dealer added cavitation inhibitor (SCA) to the new "green" coolant. Also make sure they did a complete and thorough flush, getting all the old coolant out and using distilled water. A basic drain of the old coolant and tap water isn't sufficient.

Bottom line...your 2002 doesn't require gold coolant. Your new green coolant is fine, but it will require testing and maintenance of SCA. It will give you about the same life and performance as the Gold. As a Coolant Specialist, I might suggest you use a heavy duty extended life coolant in that '02. A HD ELC is a much more robust coolant, with a life many times that of the Gold. Unlike the Gold it will be silicate-free, provide better cavitation and corrosion protection, better heat transfer, be easier on your water pump, and require absolutely no maintenance. HD ELC's are made specifically for diesels. It's what the engine maker recommends. Fleetrite ELC, Rotella ELC, Chevron Delo ELC, CAT ELC, Peak Final Charge, Zerex HD Extreme, Prestone HD ELC, etc. are just some of the popular brands available.

 

[F350_6]

All PSD's can use the conventional green coolant with SCA. So you're safe there. But not all PSD's can use the Gold. Ford's Gold contains OAT (organic acid technology) that has been found incompatible by the engine maker, International, with pre-2/2/99 (SN 940614) built engines. Particularly the injector cup material, sensors, front cover, and some gaskets and o-rings.

So is the ELC also not compatible with the pre 2/2/99 engines, or is that something totally different?

 

[NRTS]

Thanks guys. Hiya Gooch.

Looks like they did the flush with a machine. I see they did put on additive in: FMC VC 8.

I'll likely do a proper flush and go with an HD ELC as Gooch indicates. If it works in Alaska it will certainly work in S.Cal lol. I'll use Smokey Wren's writeup on the flush and fill.

Thanks again. Merry Christmas!

 

[Meatco1]

NRTS:

Have you read "Gooch's Coolant Flush"? Here's a link
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f47/coolant-changing-instructions-163800/

While I do it a bit differently than Gooch, I believe he has the best set of step x step directions on the web, bar none!

Respects,

Richard

 

[Sunburnt]

Whats the best way to find out what coolant I need for my 99 7.3 PSD its in a E-350 superduty??

 

[NRTS]

NRTS:

Have you read "Gooch's Coolant Flush"? Here's a link
http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/f47/coolant-changing-instructions-163800/

While I do it a bit differently than Gooch, I believe he has the best set of step x step directions on the web, bar none!

Respects,

Richard

Excellent. Thanks for the link.

Scott

 

[Meatco1]

Hey Scott, glad you found it.

Merry Christmas!

Richard

 

[Gooch]

So is the ELC also not compatible with the pre 2/2/99 engines, or is that something totally different?

Engines built prior to 2/2/99 (SN 940614) were found to be incompatible with organic acid coolants under some operating conditions. Both heavy duty extended life coolant (HD ELC) and the Ford Gold coolant contain this carboxylate organic acid technology (OAT).

So International revised engines built 2/2/99-up (SN 940614-up) to be compatible with HD ELC coolants. Revisions included injector cup material, sensors, front cover, gaskets, o-rings, and probably some other things. International announced this July of 2000, and began recommending and factory filling their engines with the more beneficial HD ELC.

International built all T444E 7.3L engines, regardless of their application, at the same plant, including the one in your Ford. The serial number of your engine can be found on the valve cover sticker, or stamped on a machined surface on the underside of the engine behind the oil filter, next to the bell housing inspection cover.

International's coolant publication

Whats the best way to find out what coolant I need for my 99 7.3 PSD its in a E-350 superduty??

First check your engine's build date (per above). Then go to my FLUSH PROCEDURE to help you understand what coolant you need.

Basically, if your engine was built 2/2/99-up, then I would recommed a heavy duty extended life coolant (HD ELC). International's Fleetrite ELC, CAT ELC, Delo ELC (my favorite), Rotella ELC, Peak Final Charge, Zerex Extreme HD, Prestone HD ELC, etc. are just some. They are silicate-free and will have benefits and advantages over Ford's one-size-fits-all universal Gold hybrid.

If you have a pre 2/2/99 build engine, then I would listen to the folks who made and tested the engine, and recommend a conventional coolant without organic acid technology (OAT). This can be your standard low-silicate "green" with the addition of SCA, or a pre-charged conventional coolant with SCA already in it (my recommendation). Peak Fleet Charge, Prestone HD, Shell Diesel Ready, etc.

I see they did put on additive in: FMC VC 8...I'll use Smokey Wren's writeup on the flush and fill.

Yep, that's the SCA. Looks like your dealer did ok. So you're in good shape for now.

Beware of that other flush procedure...We have notified him of problems with it, but he has decided not to recognize them, or allow comment... Never make an unregulated flush "T" and subject your cooling system to the flow and pressure of your faucet. You can easily damage your cooling system. The aftermarket flush "T" I recommend is regulated for a reason. They are only about $5. Also I would not recommend doing a flush before draining the old coolant, contamination, and any sediment out of the block first. Otherwise you just backflush the crud back through your cooling system, where it can likely find a new home. It also takes longer. And I certainly would never recommend the "quick and dirty" method...it's like doing a partial oil change.

Cheers.

 

[Sunburnt]

Im in southwest Florida and I am looking for some Delo ELC do they sell this in walmart? I know they have some Delo stuff there thats where I get my oil from. or do I have to go to a Chevron station?

 

[oldscot44]

delo elc

Chevron station may or may not be able to help you. I purchased Delo ELC from my nearby Chevron distributor. Only problem was I had to buy a 6 gallon case . . . but I kind of looked at it as insurance if, say, I lost a water pump. Total for the six gallons was right at $100.

 

[jwehrer]

This raises a good question. Where have the rest of you been able to buy your ELC Coolants? I've checked several places around here and haven't found any.

 

[sduncan]

My local International truck dealer had it.

 

[klhansen]

This raises a good question. Where have the rest of you been able to buy your ELC Coolants? I've checked several places around here and haven't found any.

This might help.
Chevron Products - Where to Buy Chevron Lubricants

And for your area:

Coleman Oil Company
3 Chehalis St
Wenatchee, WA

 

[jwehrer]

Thanks. Never would have thought of Coleman Oil for coolant.

 

[Sunburnt]

I went to the Chevron station yesterday and asked "where is your distributor?" he told me and I went there and they had it. this place was able to break up a case of 6 so I got 4 gallons at $22.95 each