Coolant Advice

[KingStroker]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum but have found tons of great advice so far. I just bought an 05 250. The truck has the complete bulletproof kit already installed so I'm good there. I've been doing some research and seems that I need to be sure I get rid of the Ford gold coolant to get the most reliability from my 6.0.

Well my question is how can I tell if the truck still even has the gold coolant? If it does, I'm planning to flush and replace. I was wondering if anyone could tell me a good coolant to refill with?

Also, anyone have any tips on going through the flush process?

Thanks!

[dhanna6powerstroke]

You want an ELC coolant with an EC-1 rating. DO NOT use a Dexcool coolant.

[Idahoser]

I'm not sure it makes any difference what coolant you use if you no longer have an OEM oil cooler or any EGR cooler. "The full bulletproof kit" would mean you have an aftermarket oil cooler. I WOULD NOT TRUST THAT INFORMATION FROM ANYBODY, I would learn how to tell and find out myself.

[KingStroker]

Thanks for the info guys, I'm looking into that oil cooler.

Guess my biggest question remaining is how can I tell if the Ford Gold crap is still in it or not?

[Idahoser]

well, the color would be a fair clue, not to be funny- it is kinda yellow but there are additives that could have changed it. The one you want will be red, and you hope nobody's used regular car antifreeze that would be green!

Basically if it's new to you, I would consider it bad and change it.

[KingStroker]

Thanks man...I think that's the plan. I'm going to flush out whatever is in there and replace it with the delo elc.

[Dante04SRT]

I run tge Zerex Zxed1 ELC. It's available at Napaa.

[dieselmatt]

Originally Posted by KingStroker

Thanks man...I think that's the plan. I'm going to flush out whatever is in there and replace it with the delo elc.

Is the delo EC-1 rated? If not I would go with one that is like the Zerex at Napa.

[KingStroker]

Anyone know if the Delo elc is EC-1 rated?

[dieselmatt]

Their website doesn't specifically say.

Here is an interesting tidbit though.

"EC-1 is Caterpillar's industry specification for an extended service, or long life,
coolant. EC-1 defines the minimum requirements of a long life engine coolant and coolant
extender intended for use in Caterpillar engines. EC-1 defines the physical and chemical
properties, compatibility characteristics, bench and performance testing, and field testing
requirements.
A coolant meeting EC-1 also meets ASTM D4985. What makes EC-1 unique from other
coolant specifications, is the field-testing. Field-testing establishes the practice for
evaluating the ability of a long life coolant to provide acceptable corrosion control and
cooling system performance with significantly reduced or no maintenance additions of
inhibitor in field service.
To summarize the field testing method; There must be a minimum of six engines of known
initial condition, monitored for coolant and cooling system condition, subject to full tear
down inspection upon completion of the test. Additionally, there must be at least one
copper-brass radiator and one aluminum radiator included in the test. Preferred application
is line-haul-trucking service, but any vehicle application operating at greater than 60% load
factor is considered acceptable. Engine component inspection and coolant sample analysis
results determine acceptable performance.
Caterpillar Extended Life Coolant was introduced once the stringent requirements of EC-1
were met. EC-1 ensures that the coolant not only performs in the laboratory, but more
importantly, on the road and at the job site where it counts most to the customer."