Dealer mistake: mixed coolants

Dealer put Motorcraft Gold coolant in 2009 Expedition after replacing water pump. However, they did not adequately top off coolant afterwards and the reservoir was dry. Dealer told me they put in Motorcraft Gold, which I confirmed by opening the cold radiator and inspecting the fluid. Dealer told me under no circumstances to mix the Gold with any other coolant because it is not compatible. Returned to the dealer for them to top off the coolant. Got home and looked at the reservoir and of course, it is bright Green! Opened the radiator, and what was a slightly low Gold color coolant is now also bright Green.

Are Gold and Green actually compatible? Or, do they need to tow it back the the dealer, flush the entire cooling system and refill with Gold coolant?

Ford used a dark green coolant 10 +- years ago and a light green 20+- years ago and I would assume they are compatible. Its not the common green stuff from back in the nineties. I wouldn't worry about it myself. Many coolants nowadays are mixable. I definitely wouldn't tow it anywhere.

Ford says, ¨Do not mix different types of anti-freeze¨
https://www.motorcraft.com/us/en_us...ts/gold-concentrated-antifreeze-coolants.html
https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3liU-UA2L0kJ:https://www.motorcraft.com/content/dam/ford-motorcraft/en_us/motorcraft_global/products/pdf/faq/Ford%20Motor%20Company%20Position%20Statement%20on%20Universal%20Antifreeze%20Coolants%202020.pdf+&cd=13&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

https://repairpal.com/is-it-ok-to-mix-the-gold-engine-coolant-with-universal-coolant-141

Several websites say mixing coolants can cause corrosion and serious engine damage.
https://kernersvilleautocenter.com/the-dangers-of-mixing-green-and-orange-coolant/#:~:text=Some people believe that they,which can lead to overheating.
https://www.cashcarsbuyer.com/can-you-mix-coolant/

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/675927-gold-v-green-antifreeze-7-3l-psd.html

Motor On said:

Dealer put Motorcraft Gold coolant in 2009 Expedition after replacing water pump. However, they did not adequately top off coolant afterwards and the reservoir was dry. Dealer told me they put in Motorcraft Gold, which I confirmed by opening the cold radiator and inspecting the fluid. Dealer told me under no circumstances to mix the Gold with any other coolant because it is not compatible. Returned to the dealer for them to top off the coolant. Got home and looked at the reservoir and of course, it is bright Green! Opened the radiator, and what was a slightly low Gold color coolant is now also bright Green.

Are Gold and Green actually compatible? Or, do they need to tow it back the the dealer, flush the entire cooling system and refill with Gold coolant?

Click to expand...

Any Ford dealer should install the Ford recommend fluids, and not mix different type of fluids.

I would insist that the entire system be flushed (not just drained) and the correct Motorcraft coolant installed at their cost.

Recently I took my 2015 Expedition to the dealer to have the transmission fluid and filter changed, with an appointment. After the write-up and while I was waiting in the lounge, the service advisor came out and said he was double-checking to make sure I wanted a “flush”.

I said no, and told him I was clear what I wanted when I made the appointment and then later checked-in, but asked what was done with the flush. The advisor said they used a chemical cleaner and Valvoline transmission fluid (not Motorcraft). I declined and had them use Motorcraft fluid and a Motorcraft filter - with no flush.

I realize some fluids may be compatible, but I think some dealers use the cheapest fluids they can, and not Motorcraft, to make a few extra dollars.

The only green coolant (other than many years ago) that is green is a motorcraft one and even though they screwed up I wouldn't waste time having them put all yellow in there. It will be fine.............maybe yell at them.

They are not compatible, system needs to be drained down and refilled. The green is a different base fluid and does not meet needs of your radiator.

The color doesn't mean a whole lot these days. Things have changed from the time when you were guided by colors. There are compatible fluids with different colors that were not available in 2009 when that manual was written.

Doesn't mean the dealer couldn't have screwed it up, but I know as a fact there is a green coolant that is 100% compatible with the Motorcraft Gold.

If you are truly concerned you can ask the dealer to show you the container of the green coolant. Then you, yourself can check its compatibility with the Motorcraft Gold's Ford Specification WSS-M97B51-A1.

JExpedition07 said:

They are not compatible, system needs to be drained down and refilled. The green is a different base fluid and does not meet needs of your radiator.

Click to expand...

They were all green many years ago but this is the later green Motorcraft stuff and probably fully compatible, it's not like somebody found a couple old gallons in the back of the barn and brought them to work. I think the color mixing thing is overblown anyway. I mixed oils I got at garage sales for my last truck (weights, brands, synth, non, etc) for over 10 years, put over 100k on it and it purred like a kitten when I sold it.

Let's not all squawk at once now.........lol

Dealer did the right thing. They flushed it (twice) to get the green out, and refilled with all Motorcraft Gold (per Ford specs). This what I was advised to do when I called both another dealer, and Valvoline. The service advisor at another dealer told me to have it flushed out because I was essentially doing an experiment with two different fluids. Valvoline said their coolants that meet Ford specs are not compatible. When you look at the spec sheets for the two Valvoline coolants that meet different Ford specs it is clear that they are different formulations. The last thing anybody wants is actual engine damage and corrosion of engine and cooling system components by something so stupid as running an experimental coolant concoction. With over 200k miles on the engine, and a fresh expensive dealer installed water pump, I can´t afford to sacrifice the Expedition for the sake of science. It was an extra pain, to deal with but I am glad that I checked the coolant color before and after the new water pump, and again after it was topped off. No reason to pay dealer prices for below spec work.

Green before, and gold after photos are below.

FYI: Per Ford:

What may be some of the consequences of using the wrong coolant?
▪ Reduced corrosion protection of cooling system components
▪ Incompatibility with engine gasket materials and O-rings
▪ Corrosive attack of aluminum components
▪ Cylinder wall cavitation and engine block damage
▪ Potential water pump issues
▪ Plugging of small coolant passageways

https://webcache.googleusercontent....oolants%202020.pdf+&cd=13&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us