[ajohansson]

OK there is lots of info out there on coolant. I am getting confused. First off I have a 2003 7.3 with Green coolant in it. It needs to be changed. I plan to do the rad hose reroute, a 203 tstat and a coolant filter. This is what I think I have undersood from the many posts I have seen on the web. The use of SCA is basically a sacrificial lamb when using the green coolant for when cavitation occurs (it does not prevent cavitation form occuring). I also think understand that if I go to the RED ELC coolant it does not require the SCA to be added and is basically maintenance free for 300k. Is this because the RED already has an SCA in it which is basically a long lasting type? From what I have read the SCA's are hard on water pumps. I would love to be schooled on this. I have tried to decipher alot of threads and now I am lost. WHen I look at the Zerex ELC HD on the Napa website it says "precharged". I am assuming it has an SCA in it. If it does have an SCA in it why does it last so much longer than the bottled stuff you add to the green coolant. Clear as mud?

 

[JimTJr]

Well I am not a "Coolant Engineer" SO I just read what I could, got some advice and ran with it. I am running the Fleetrite ELC. IH runs it in their T444E so that is good enough for me.
I have to wonder how you got the GREEN into your 03? My 03 had the Gold in it. (Fords Premium Gold) Which is also an ELC in their book I guess.

The FLEETRITE is a 600k mile lifetime! (Don't think I will push it that far, *Um, probably wont push it half that, wont have the truck that long)

 

[Diezel Dawg]

I just did the coolant change on my truck after replacing my water pump and put in the Fleetrite ELC(red). This meets all requirements for our trucks. the coolant is expensive, but worth every penny.

 

[Oneof6]

[ QUOTE ]
OK there is lots of info out there on coolant. I am getting confused. First off I have a 2003 7.3 with Green coolant in it. It needs to be changed. I plan to do the rad hose reroute, a 203 tstat and a coolant filter. This is what I think I have undersood from the many posts I have seen on the web. The use of SCA is basically a sacrificial lamb when using the green coolant for when cavitation occurs (it does not prevent cavitation form occuring). I also think understand that if I go to the RED ELC coolant it does not require the SCA to be added and is basically maintenance free for 300k. Is this because the RED already has an SCA in it which is basically a long lasting type? From what I have read the SCA's are hard on water pumps. I would love to be schooled on this. I have tried to decipher alot of threads and now I am lost. WHen I look at the Zerex ELC HD on the Napa website it says "precharged". I am assuming it has an SCA in it. If it does have an SCA in it why does it last so much longer than the bottled stuff you add to the green coolant. Clear as mud?

[/ QUOTE ]

Like you wrote, "there is lots of info out there on coolant". So much so that to try to expand on Poster Gooch's many many explanations of how and why coolants are what they are is superfluous. However, rather than a how it works explanation it is real simple what you need to do, one of two things. One, flush completely the system of the green coolant and put the Ford Premium Gold or Zerex G-05 (same thing) or two, flush completely the system and install a good ELC with an EC1 rating, Rotella ELC or Fleetrite (same thing) are popular. You don't need the SCA with those coolants so don't put it into it. If you use the pre-charge coolants then you will have to treat it as a charged system and maintain it as such. So simple choice, flush, flush, flush, flush get the green out or maintain it. If you replace it why not use the good stuff, the Rotella or Fleetrite ELC will go 300K as is, more with extender. The Ford or Zerex G-05 will go 50K between changes. Either way also get a coolant filter, with uncharged cartriges.

 

[NCHornet]

I too am not sure how green coolant got into your 2003 as it should have the Gold stuff. But anyway I too would use the Fleetrite ELC, btw it is good for only 300K and 600K if you use the extender at 300K, but I also will not leave any fluid in my truck for that long. I would also skip the 203 thermostat as I have not seen any real benefits from running one. I can't see how 8 degrees can make a hill of beans difference. Just my .02, for sure do the coolant filter. Check out my pics for a good location.

 

[RichZ]

[ QUOTE ]
the coolant is expensive, but worth every penny.

[/ QUOTE ]

Bosmack,

What do you consider expensive? I just purchased the Fleetrite ELC for $13.72 per gal. and a WF2077 coolant filter for $7.92 at an International dealer. The fluid was listed at $21.96 and the filter was $13.41. I thought that was a great buy even though I had to drive 30 miles to Green Bay to get it.

 

[Snowman269]

Go with the Red ELC, & be done with it, Gold doesn't make much sense to me IMHO, unless you are trying to save a few pennies. Even when you sell the truck, the Red is a selling feature when you educate the buyer.