Engine Coolant flush Ford VC-9

[Louie's6.0]

I am getting ready to install my EGR delete and new oil cooler. I have been reading up on the Ford VC-9 coolant flush. I think this makes sense to flush out your system and get out all of the Silicate. I will be changing over to the Cat EC1 coolant and adding a coolant filter.

I just spoke to a Ford mechanic about this and got some advice from him. He said that he did not recommend me doing the flush. He said that you have to flush the system several times and that there is still a good chance you will not get everything out. He said that if everything doesn't come out that it can actually eat a hole in your block and that more than likely it will go ahead and blow your head gaskets by doing the flush anyway?

He said they are forced to do this when installing a new oil cooler or EGR, but most of those vehicles are covered under warranty, so if something else happens the truck owner is not out any money.

My truck is not under warranty, so would you still recommend me doing the flush? My EGR cooler is bad, so I have to dig in, but do not want to do a head gasket rebuild unless totally necessary. Actually I have spent a ton of cash on the delete and oil cooler and everything else so I cannot afford it at this time. Please let me know your thoughts.

[Galaxie]

As long as you are not doing your flush with a 70 Gatling gun, probably won’t have any holes in your block!

[caissiel]

What I found is that the ELC Coolant will get the goo out of your truck without to hard a flush anyway. I never cleaned my tank and hose after I flushed out the Ford Crap and now everything is clean with no goo anywhere. I think the ELC absorb all the goo and it is has been fine. I wished I had an EOT temperature reading before I put in the flush stuff so to see if my oil cooler plugged before the flush or during the flush because there was a scary amount of dirt that was flushed out.

I would change the coolers after flushing so as not to take a chance to plug the new stuff.

I would stay away from any Ford Service center because you only end up having troubles with no warranty to turn to. Its your truck and do what is best for you, and stay away from the cash cows, like I did for the last 3 diesel trucks I owned.

[Louie's6.0]

Thank you for the advice I appreciate it. What type of flush did you use? I am also having trouble finding ELC coolant in my area. I have checked Carquest, Napa, Northern tool, all major auto parts stores in my area. No luck at all! Any recommendations on locating it?

[Galaxie]

Originally Posted by Louie's6.0

Thank you for the advice I appreciate it. What type of flush did you use? I am also having trouble finding ELC coolant in my area. I have checked Carquest, Napa, Northern tool, all major auto parts stores in my area. No luck at all! Any recommendations on locating it?

Use a gallon of Restore and two quarts of vc9 or (Restore plus)! No doubt ELC isnt easy to find everywhere. I went to EVERY deisel shop around here, all they had was 50/50. I ordered a few gallons of CAT concentrate online. I will try to find the site but I only paid like $5 extra for the shipping.