Coolant questions

[Greg Lovell]

Hey, I was changing my air filter today and noticed that my coolant looked different. It is a brownish almost chocolate milk color. under the overflow container lid there is a layer of brownish muck that looks like might have sprayed the underneath of my hood. Does this sound normal or do I have an issue on my hands? its starting to get cold here in Iowa and really don't want to have to deal with a potential issue when its snowing out. my ST has 108,000 miles on it and i have not changed it since i bought it 3.5 years ago. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.



Thanks,



nline:

 

[FlipTrac_511]

My reservoir was slushy like that right after I had the radiator flushed at the dealership. It was the first time I had this service done. I forget when or what the mileage was at the time but I know I was overdue. Anyhow, I kept an eye on temps for a while and the stuff disappeared eventually. The coolant in the reservoir looks like orange gatorade now. Never figured out what that stuff was. Was it a bi-product and build-up of coolant in the radiator?

 

[swshawaii]

Definitely time for a coolant flush. Was the level low or do you see any signs of leaks?

 

[Todd Z]

Check the Rad color.... the bottle discolors over time as its the FORD GOLD in your truck, not the GREEN..... if you mix them it can gell and discolor.....



Todd Z

 

[Gavin Allan]

Flush and fill with Ford Gold. You are past due.

 

[John G]

How do you know he should use Gold?



My 2001 came with green. And that's what I continue to use (not the original fluid, though -- it has been changed).



Here's what the 2001 manual says:

The cooling system in your vehicle is filled with either green-colored

Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant meeting Ford specification

ESE-M97B44A or yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine

Coolant meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51A1. To determine your

vehicles coolant type (color), check your coolant reservoir.

 

[swshawaii]

2004 Manual:



Engine coolant Motorcraft

Premium Gold

Engine Coolant

(yellow-colored)

 

[Gavin Allan]

For sure he should follow Ford's advice. My '03 Adrenalin used Gold, as did my '07 and my current '10. I just figured if my '03 used gold, that his '04 would also use it.

 

[Vic Sorlie]

Coolant is commonly neglected. As it breaks down in use you lose freeze point and corrosion protections. I've seen this brown scum in two of my Tracs; dismantling the overflow tank and cleaning it out with Simple Green solution and a flexible brush gave me that spiffy look again. Want to avoid costly breakdowns and have your cars run right and last? Do prospective maintenance rather than reactive.

 

[Gavin Allan]

Want to avoid costly breakdowns and have your cars run right and last? Do prospective maintenance rather than reactive.

You can say that again!

 

[swshawaii]

Ford approved Zerex G-05. Check NAPA.