Coolant Change - Factory Spec.

[larryinnewyork]

Have a 2002 Ford Ranger. Cast Iron Block
Was lazy in the earlier years and had Mechanic change Coolant.
As always, if you want it done right ......

I have been using Prestone Extended Life ALL Makes, ALL Models since 2010 @ 93,000 miles.
Currently at 128,000 miles.

In 2011 @ 98,500 miles, I had a Coolant leak around Timing Chain Cover.
Had repaired at Dealer - Ouch, much $
Cause of leak - who knows.

Since then, I have been doing a Drain/ Fill of Radiator once a year.
This has been a lot easier for me than doing a Full Flush with the garden hose.
I use Distilled Water / no engine block drain.

So anyway, I am now questioning using Prestone Extended Life.
Ford requires coolant to meet Spec WSS-M97B51-A1
This means using Motorcraft Gold or Zerex G-05

To save money, I would like to use Zerex G-05

Concern: It seems like the chemistry of Coolants can be very confusing.

Questions:
1) Who would be right in using a Universal Coolant ?.
2) Am I wasting money by doing a Radiator Drain/Fill every 8,000 miles ?
... Draining Radiator removes 55% of Coolant.
3) Could I have been wrong using Prestone Extended Life ?

I figure I will use the Zerex G-05 and just continue with the Radiator Drain/Fill.

Any advise or opinions would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[Chris142]

Ford specifically recomends against dexcool in that year truck.prestone all makes all models is very simmiliar to dexcool.

 

[The motor guy]

Originally Posted By: larryinnewyork
Have a 2002 Ford Ranger. Cast Iron Block
Was lazy in the earlier years and had Mechanic change Coolant.
As always, if you want it done right ......

I have been using Prestone Extended Life ALL Makes, ALL Models since 2010 @ 93,000 miles.
Currently at 128,000 miles.

In 2011 @ 98,500 miles, I had a Coolant leak around Timing Chain Cover.
Had repaired at Dealer - Ouch, much $
Cause of leak - who knows.

Since then, I have been doing a Drain/ Fill of Radiator once a year.
This has been a lot easier for me than doing a Full Flush with the garden hose.
I use Distilled Water / no engine block drain.

So anyway, I am now questioning using Prestone Extended Life.
Ford requires coolant to meet Spec WSS-M97B51-A1
This means using Motorcraft Gold or Zerex G-05

To save money, I would like to use Zerex G-05

Concern: It seems like the chemistry of Coolants can be very confusing.

Questions:
1) Who would be right in using a Universal Coolant ?.
2) Am I wasting money by doing a Radiator Drain/Fill every 8,000 miles ?
... Draining Radiator removes 55% of Coolant.
3) Could I have been wrong using Prestone Extended Life ?

I figure I will use the Zerex G-05 and just continue with the Radiator Drain/Fill.

Any advise or opinions would be appreciated.
Thank you.






I do believe the zerex G-05 is what ford calls for. Same as my truck. it's like $12/gallon. Probably only need 1.5 gallons each of water and antifreeze for that truck.

 

[BigD1]

I think at the time Ford specced the G-05 because Dexcool and the clones--Prestone and Peak long life--were not fully compatible with certain gasket materials. 2-EHA used as a corrosion inhibitor was the chemical causing all the fuss.

If it were me, I would get all of the Prestone long life out of the system. You can get pick up a back flush kit at Walmart for $3.00 and some change that will help get it out of there. I take out the thermostat too while flushing. Thermostats are cheap, so I replace it if it's been a while since it was last changed.

 

[barkingspider]

I think it's a waste to drain and fill every 8k miles. In your case, I would do a drain and fill every 3 years with G05 at the least.

 

[simple_gifts]

I had the FF G05 in my B2300 past the recommended change interval. (6,7 years)

The stuff looked clean (no measure of anything) when I refilled.

Coolant doesn't need to be yearly thing unless you make it that way.

 

[DoubleWasp]

Dump the AMAM and run the G-05. I wouldn't change it any earlier than 3 years. Just dip a test strip every year to test it.

 

[bullwinkle]

I had G-05 retrofitted in my '82 300D (originally used green) for 10 YEARS, still looked the same, other than being slightly darker, when I sold it!

 

[larryinnewyork]

Originally Posted By: barkingspider
I think it's a waste to drain and fill every 8k miles. In your case, I would do a drain and fill every 3 years with G05 at the least.

Yea, I now have to agree.

I plan on changing to the Zerex G-05 A.S.A.P.
In 2 years, I'll check using Test Strips.
Maybe aim for Drain/Fill every 3 years.

What bothers me is:
Did I fall for the advertising on the Prestone bottle,
or was I nieve and not question it further ?
I guess Better Late than Never.

Thanks all for the comments.

 

[BigD1]

Originally Posted By: larryinnewyork
What bothers me is:
Did I fall for the advertising on the Prestone bottle,
or was I nieve and not question it further ?
I guess Better Late than Never.

Thanks all for the comments.


Yes you fell for it hook line and sinker just like I did a couple weeks ago when I bought the Walmart Super Tech antifreeze. Going to give Walmart a little credit though. At least they do put the ingredients on back of the bottle. The others just say corrosion inhibitors.