OK, ready to do coolant flush

[Aussiekeeper]

I have.......
2-qts. VC-9
1-gal. Restore
1-new t-stat w/housing and o-ring
1-replacement coolant filter

Have questions. Is there an order to flush coolant? IE: vc9 first and restore second---or vica-versa.

Still unsure which coolant to use, Ford Gold, Cat ELC, Prestone GO-5. I am leaning away from the Ford Gold. Which would be the best?

I spoke to a dealer service tech. He said the problem with the leaking coolers is the clogging at the oil cooler inlet, which causes overheating and splitting of the EGR coolers. I have had the coolant filter on this truck from 800 miles new. He said I shouldn't have a cooler problem since the coolant looks very clear. Anyway, the questions above are my only stumbling blocks to getting this done, as I want to do the best for my truck. It is a 2006 with 54,000 miles. I think I will replace the hoses also.........

[diablos30]

anything cat ec-1 rated

[Aussiekeeper]

So the Cat EL is the good stuff? Is that the red product? and I mix it with water 50/50?

[diablos30]

yes you can use the cat brand, but the "cat ec-1" rating is whats important. dont get hung up on color (although most elc's tend to be red), concentrate on the ec-1 rating. fleetrite, cat, rotella, and zerex are the names that come to mind and what most use. you should be able to find them at an international dealer, cat dealer, online, or napa.

i recommend buying the concentrate that you mix as its a waste to pay for half of the bottles worth of water.

[Aussiekeeper]

You mentioned Zerex, would that be the GO5 concentrate? I just spoke with the CAT dealer here, he said the concentrate EL is no longer available, only the 50/50..........

[diablos30]

Valvoline.com > Products > Zerex > Antifreeze Zerex > Zerex® Extended Life Antifreeze / Coolant

[BIGEBLU]

Have your CAT dealer try part # 238-8647. I just bought 4 gallons this morning from my local Cat parts dept. This is the concentrate ... NOT the 50/50 diluted.

[Aussiekeeper]

The parts guy looked it up, no longer made, he said. Possibly your dealer has a stock of of it.

[Kingoftheranch]

I just picked up the concentrate from the local Cat dealer in town 3 days ago. I think your Cat dealer is smoking weed. You can't tell me guys that are servicing heavy equipment using gallon after gallon of coolant are going to buy a 50/50 mix. They still make the concentrate, maybe he can't find it but there is no reason for Cat to stop making it.

[Kingoftheranch]

Originally Posted by Aussiekeeper

I have.......
2-qts. VC-9
1-gal. Restore
1-new t-stat w/housing and o-ring
1-replacement coolant filter

Have questions. Is there an order to flush coolant? IE: vc9 first and restore second---or vica-versa.

Still unsure which coolant to use, Ford Gold, Cat ELC, Prestone GO-5. I am leaning away from the Ford Gold. Which would be the best?

I spoke to a dealer service tech. He said the problem with the leaking coolers is the clogging at the oil cooler inlet, which causes overheating and splitting of the EGR coolers. I have had the coolant filter on this truck from 800 miles new. He said I shouldn't have a cooler problem since the coolant looks very clear. Anyway, the questions above are my only stumbling blocks to getting this done, as I want to do the best for my truck. It is a 2006 with 54,000 miles. I think I will replace the hoses also.........

And for God sake don't even consider using Ford Gold...the reason for doing the flush using VC9 and restore is to get rid of the effects of this ****. ELC is the way to go. And you are right, while you have the coolant out of it you might as well replace at least the lower radiator hose. $30 part that is much cheaper to replace when everything is drained out.