Proper Coolant?

[JAMADOR]

I have noticed that my fan is running more than I think.It should be.So I want to top up the coolant, and want to make sure I get the right one.
I'm assuming a motorcraft would be a safe bet?
Or is any orange option good to go?

 

[GixxerJasen]

I have noticed that my fan is running more than I think.It should be.So I want to top up the coolant, and want to make sure I get the right one.
I'm assuming a motorcraft would be a safe bet?
Or is any orange option good to go?

Your online manual says the following:

Engine coolant (U.S. and Mexico): Motorcraft® Yellow Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant VC-13DL-G WSS-M97B57-A2
Engine coolant (Canada): Motorcraft® Yellow Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant CVC-13DL-G WSS-M97B57-A2

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=4740&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=G1886438&ProcUid=G1906157&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

I have noticed that my fan is running more than I think.It should be.So I want to top up the coolant, and want to make sure I get the right one.
I'm assuming a motorcraft would be a safe bet?
Or is any orange option good to go?

If your engine coolant is low and needs to be topped-off, you have a leak (unless you recently had service and the correct amount was not installed).

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Your online manual says the following:

Engine coolant (U.S. and Mexico): Motorcraft® Yellow Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant VC-13DL-G WSS-M97B57-A2
Engine coolant (Canada): Motorcraft® Yellow Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant CVC-13DL-G WSS-M97B57-A2

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/vdirsnet/OwnerManual/Home/Content?variantid=4740&languageCode=en&countryCode=USA&Uid=G1886438&ProcUid=G1906157&userMarket=USA&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

Of course that's what it says, that way Motorcraft can stay in the fluids replacement biz.....

But the reality is that any orange or yellow stuff from name brands like Prestone, Zerex, or Peak will work fine, as long as it is of the "DEXCOOL" variety, which meets almost all mfgr's specs for vehicles from ~2012 & later....

i've been using that stuff in all my vehicles since about 2008 or so, neveranottaproblemo

Most people do prefer the pre-diltued type, since it is less fuss, but the mixer type is fine also as long as you mix it 50/50 with distilled water before adding to your system....

If your engine coolant is low and needs to be topped-off, you have a leak (unless you recently had service and the correct amount was not installed).

UNLESS you have been driving in very hot climate with the AC running at full blast for extended periods of time, or hauling heavy loads thru the mountains for a long while, or something to that effect....

Those situations will sometimes cause some coolant to be used from the reservoir, but yea, if both the reservoir & the radiator are low, then there very well COULD be a leak somewhere....

 

[Benztech]

I use and recommend the Motorcraft coolant especially if you're under warranty. Last gallon of concentrate (VC-13-G) I bought from the dealer was $20 which is just a few bucks more than aftermarket varieties. Also only a few bucks more for the prediluted (VC-13DL-G) than aftermarket if that's what you prefer. Make sure you use distilled water for mixing concentrate.

 

[JAMADOR]

Looks like a possible slow weep from this joint, where the silver collar bit meets the elbow to the tank, is this a replaceable part, without having to disassemble half the cooling system?

 

[JAMADOR]

Edit to the above, wife went to run errands & that joint is dry, so dont think that's the culprit...

 

[BigOleFordFan]

Edit to the above, wife went to run errands & that joint is dry, so dont think that's the culprit...

Well, looking at those drip stains on the hose, it does appear to have a very small leak, unless I am misinterpreting them. And the leak may not get too bad unless the vehicle is driven harder than on typical errands here & there, like a sustained 60-70mph ride on the highway, where the engine would heat up more than on some short trips...

You should look at it when the engine is hot, that would be the easiest way to be sure

 

[JAMADOR]

It was hot when I checked & everything was dry. Will keep an eye on it all a bit more vigilantly

 

[VBreithaupt]

If it has a leak I would bet its coming from one of the hoses that have the plastic y connectors that run into heater cores. That seems to where they happen. And no they are not covered under extended warranty.

 

[spo0587]

Go with Motorcraft Yellow predeluted. It’s backwards compatible with everything. Rock Auto is where I got mine. I have around 10 gallons

 

[Boosted]

Just for argument sake I like the concentrate and use distilled water. It's far more economical but not as easy. The benifit is that if you really want to flush a system, you can run distilled water repeatedly to get it fully clean and then add concentrate to get to the 50/50 ratio or whatever you need.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

It was hot when I checked & everything was dry. Will keep an eye on it all a bit more vigilantly

I had a leak at same spot on my 2015 Expedition Limited. Several trips to the dealer for diagnosis and repair.

The engine coolant Degas bottle reservoir was replaced under my service plan, because it was leaking at same spot you showed in a photo. The mechanic told the service writer that the spot would only leak if it was "wiggled", and was a common leak spot. My generation had a metal insert to stiffen the joint, but it still cracked and leaked slightly.

 

[19FX4Max]

Ours was low in the fall so I topped it off and then drove 400 miles. When we reached our destination I could smell coolant and the level was back to where it was before I topped it off. If left at that level I never noticed leaks or odor but the fan ran a lot and was loud once it started getting warm out. I finally noticed the inlet heater hose y-fitting was leaking after I topped it off about a month ago. It was a $75 part and took less than an hour to replace. All good now. If it's not leaking from the elbow at the tank I bet you have a leak developing on the inlet or outlet heater hose and if it is not yet apparent you'll notice soon. It was never terrible and once the level was below minimum by an inch or two it seemed to stop leaking.

 

[GixxerJasen]

Until one of those stupid plastic snap attachments blows apart while you are driving.

 

[Mr Big]

If you don't have leaks, it could be coolant to water ratio is weak due to topping off a few times. I would drain a fill with new.
I routinely drain and fill my cooling system. I use Motorcraft concentrated yellow and distilled water. Since I'm not completely draining, I use about 8 quarts, so 1 gallon of antifreeze concentrate and 1 gallon of distilled water is enough. It's cheap maintenance and it insures I have clean and acid free coolant, caused by contaminants and electrolysis.

 

[danimerciss22]

If your engine coolant is low and needs to be topped-off, you have a leak (unless you recently had service and the correct amount was not installed).

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[Fastcar]

Edit to the above, wife went to run errands & that joint is dry, so dont think that's the culprit...

Then where did it come from?? Get it real hot and try to wiggle that connection, use a rag.

 

[Mr Big]

If your engine coolant is low and needs to be topped-off, you have a leak (unless you recently had service and the correct amount was not installed).

jiofi.local.html tplinklogin​

not totally true. Coolant can sometimes get low with no leak present. Down here where it's hot, we have a fair amount of evaporation.
Some people get their cooling system flushed. Then after a week of driving all the air gets out of the system and causes the coolant to be low. They'll make the mistake of adding water, which not only throws off the mix but introduces more chance of evaporation.

 

[Mr Big]

Then where did it come from?? Get it real hot and try to wiggle that connection, use a rag.

Coolant leaks can also be internal or water pump where you can't see very easily. The head gaskets could be getting bad. The water pump may be getting bad and may leak a little when the engine is cold and stops after it heats up.