coolant help

Torin · Jan 18, 2016

I have a 1998 ford ranger with the 3.0 v6. My owners manual says to use ford extended life coolant and then in parenthesis (dexcool). So I just flushed the system and put the dexcool in. Now I'm hearing a lot of bad stuff about this coolant. Did I use the right stuff why does the manual say dexcool if it's so bad? Any Ford experts please help I can't sleep at night wondering if this stuff is eating my head gaskets or something. :shok:

black_demon69 · Jan 18, 2016

Torin said:
I have a 1998 ford ranger with the 3.0 v6. My owners manual says to use ford extended life coolant and then in parenthesis (dexcool). So I just flushed the system and put the dexcool in. Now I'm hearing a lot of bad stuff about this coolant. Did I use the right stuff why does the manual say dexcool if it's so bad? Any Ford experts please help I can't sleep at night wondering if this stuff is eating my head gaskets or something.

personally i think dexcool stinks, i have gone to using the universal yellow that will mix with all kinds of antifreeze.

adsm08 · Jan 18, 2016

If you flushed the system out well you have nothing to worry about.

There are two main problems with dexcool (or any other orange coolant)

1) The service interval specified by the manufacturers (100-150K miles) is excessive.

2) If you mix OAT (orange) coolants with Ethelyne Glycol (green) and cook it you end up with a sludge about the consistency of bread pudding.

The mixing ratio needs to be pretty even to do that though, so since you said you flushed it out there probably isn't anything to worry about. It won't eat your head gaskets, not unless you leave it in there so long it becomes corrosive anyway.

Danman44 · Jan 18, 2016

If it had dexcool in it before then you have nothing to worry about. But either way I would leave it in there because you're gonna have green coolant with a hint of dexcool or dexcool with a hint of green. But in your next truck don't use it because you know who uses dexcool? Shops like Firestone and jiffy lube who could care less about the life of your vehicle

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Torin · Jan 18, 2016

Thanks for the replies guys. I made sure to flush the system VERY well before I added the coolant. I knew not to mix the colors but I couldn't tell if the coolant was orange from the rust coming out of the heater core or if it was the color of the coolant. I talked to my bosses mechanic and he said it was what his book said as well.

ratdude747 · Jan 20, 2016

The other issue with dexcool (at least the older blends) is corrosion. I've heard of radiator caps corroded right through with the stuff. Also many claim it as part of the reason GM was known for intake manifold gasket failures. I've personally avoided it (and if I got a vehicle with it, I'd flush it out) since the green works fine and it's a tried and true blend. Last as long? Probably not... but at the intervals we're talking who cares, as long as it gets done on time. It's not like motor oil...

enjr44 · Jan 21, 2016

If you follow the recommendations of the manufacture I would think all/any of them would do the job. Personally, I do what the guy that made the truck says to do.

I think the real problem with all these different coolants is that if you have the truck serviced (and you don't stand there) you have no idea what they put in there when they top it.

aspevacek · Jan 22, 2016

I do coolant flushes every 2 years on my vehicles. All other fluids get a 1 time a year swap on them. We are a low mileage household. I drive a company vehicle and my wife drives my 2014 Rubicon. the jeep came off the dealers lot in October 2014 and we currently have 9100 miles on it but only because of 2 road trips we have taken. 1 to west OHIO from central PA and the other to Virginia. Those 2 trips make up more then a 3rd of the milage.

coolant help

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