Took The Plunge.

[OBS96]

I owned my 96 7.3 for 12 years. I changed oil on a regular basis, and it performed flawlessly. Never had a problem, ever. I "upgraded" to an 04 6.0 with 54,000 today. It runs great. I'm going to do the coolant flush, wih Restore, and install a coolant filter, then change to a green ELC coolant, in the hopes I can stop/reverse any oil cooler problems. I'll be getting the Edge CTS soon too. Obviously, I don't want to tear it down if I don't have to. By the same token, I'm a big fan of preventive maintainance. Is there more I should be doing right away? Thanks for all your help! This is a great website.

[thomaslord84]

Originally Posted by OBS96

I owned my 96 7.3 for 12 years. I changed oil on a regular basis, and it performed flawlessly. Never had a problem, ever. I "upgraded" to an 04 6.0 with 54,000 today. It runs great. I'm going to do the coolant flush, wih Restore, and install a coolant filter, then change to a green ELC coolant, in the hopes I can stop/reverse any oil cooler problems. I'll be getting the Edge CTS soon too. Obviously, I don't want to tear it down if I don't have to. By the same token, I'm a big fan of preventive maintainance. Is there more I should be doing right away? Thanks for all your help! This is a great website.

The Cat EC-1 ELC you need is red not green. It is really going to be risky doing the flush with the cooler in there. It does only have 54k on it though you might be ok.

[OBS96]

Thomaslord84, my mistake, and thank you. I only know what I've read, and I thought the coolant was green. Thanks for keeping me informed. Would not have been good to come home with the wrong coolant!

[dieselmatt]

With that few of miles on it I wouldn't bother with the restore. Just flush it with distilled and then put the fresh coolant in.

In terms of preventative maintenance...I would do an EGR delete or an upgraded EGR. Typically, the problem is the oil cooler clogging which can cause the EGR cooler to leak coolant in to your motor. I would just delete the EGR all together so that if your oil cooler clogs up you don't have to worry about the EGR cooler going as well. Make sure to watch your deltas on that Edge CTS. That will be vital to ensuring your oil cooler is in good shape.

Of course, if you really want to be preventative then buy the BPD remote oil cooler kit!

[2 stroker]

Good find low miles you need to get a coolant filter on first, filter for 5-7000mi to remove most of the casting sand and other junk in the system then do the flush in the mean time you need gauge to see the health of your motor ECT-EOT these are important to see what your deltas are good if they were 4-6* with low miles here is the coolant filters.
http://www.dieselsite.com/2003-20076...waterpump.aspx
Performance Machine & MFG. 6.0L Powerstroke Diesel Coolant Filtration System
2 stroker

[OBS96]

Thomaslord84, What would you do? Just change coolant, and install a filter? I realize the flush is a little risky. I don't have a CTS yet, so I don't know what my ECT, and EOT is. I don't see getting the CTS for a couple months, but I want the gold coolant gone. Would you hold off on the flush, and just freshwater flush, and fill with ECT? There are a couple/three ways to go. I want to do it right.

[2 stroker]

You can not just drain out the Ford gold junk flush only with distilled water and think everything will be ok. You are changing the coolant type, not just the coolant. To change coolant type REQUIRES that you flush using chemicals and you must use the Restore and distilled water with low miles i would skip the restore+ flush to play it safe.
2 stroker

[OBS96]

OK, Flush coolant with Restore,(No Plus) filter,CTS, to see my deltas. Those 3 first. If deltas are good,EGR delete? How intense is that to do? I'm a good backyard mechanic, but if I park it Friday, I need to drive it Monday.

[2 stroker]

Get the coolant filter coming get it installed get your Ducks all in a row when you have 5-7000 miles on it do the flush should take about 4hrs
When i did mine i used 48 gallons of distilled water 1/2 gallon Restore 5 flushes then 1/2 gallon Restore+ 6 flushes tell clean then add ELC coolant 3 1/2 gallons concentrate with a new t/stat 1/4 tank of fuel and 12.5hrs of my time and my system is clean.
2 stroker

[OBS96]

2Stroker,
Email sent, thank you!