Kool aid or no kool aid?

[KingStroker]

Ok guys, I've been considering a coolant flush and change for a while now. My truck has the green stuff in it now...I know I know that is a whole other debate....but it's going out anyway. My question is on the elc stuff. Most people seem to love it, but I've also read where it is too acidic and can really do a lot of damage. Anyone have substantial mileage on elc want to chime in on that?

So I just need to decide now what type of coolant to replace it with. I've talked to a couple guys that run radiator shops and surprisingly they've all said to stick with the green and put the cavitation additive in it.

So I guess let the debate begin....

[Six0~Stroker]

ELC IS better than Green... but let me ask you this, what are your coolant and oil deltas?

[Deathrod]

International puts elc in um...

[2 stroker]

As stated International use ELC coolant in there trucks, they must be smarter than Ford plus they install coolant filters
2 stroker

[bismic]

.......... and yet International has still had oil coolers plug. I am not sure whether the courts have yet decided if International is smarter or if Ford is! I know that is way beyond what I know!

Ford says that the green can work w/ the cavitation additive and with frequent fluid change intervals (50k miles IIRC). Just be aware that one "drain and fluid replace" is not an appropriate change in coolant. Too much old stuff stays in the block (multiple drain and refills are needed). Even w/ the cavitation additive, you need to check the coolant additive strengths a couple of times a year. Most people don't do that.

The Gold coolant may or may not make a full 100k miles between flushes - depends on how much heat it is exposed to, the concentration, distilled water or not, etc.

The ELC is advertised at an extremely LONG mileage interval between changes - some are 500k miles. IMO this is under ideal conditions and our trucks simply don't go 500k miles without "putting stress on a few components". Even ELC should be drained and replaced on a routine interval - IMO, just to be safe, my interval will be 100k miles. I do NOT ever plan on flushing it with chemicals UNLESS the deltas begin to look high (and they haven't for 107k miles).

Whatever you use - STAY ON TOP OF THE MAINTNANCE. That includes watching the coolant level routinely and catching any leak at an early stage (before you find out you are "gallons" low on coolant).

[KingStroker]

My delta's run 5-7 degrees apart just like they are supposed to, and my oil cooler is less than a year old. I'm not flushing with chemicals I just don't think it's worth the risk. I do have a coolant filter on the way as well. Looks like the consensus is ELC and maintenance.

[Mchek]

Where can you get ELC coolant at?

[KingStroker]

easiest place for most people is Napa...they have some stuff called Zerex that's made by Valvoline and it's supposed to be pretty good stuff. you can also get it at most any truck shop or service center

[PGreenSVT]

Shell's Rotella Ultra ELC is the best stuff out there right now. If I was changing now that's what I'd put back in, no doubt about it. I currently have Delo ELC in my truck.

[KingStroker]

Where on earth do you find the Shell ultra stuff though?? I've looked all over for it.