2001 Mustang Cobra Coolant

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The coolant needs to be changed on my 2001 Mustang Cobra. The manual calls for standard green coolant and specifically warns against using the orange extended life coolant (which would have been G-05, I believe). The engine currently has green coolant installed. I assume the warning against extended life coolant is really just a warning concerning the mixing of coolants, i.e. adding G-05 to a system containing green. However, I’m not sure.

I currently use green in a ’65 Mustang, G-05 in a Jeep, and have converted my Sierra to G-05 as well. I’d rather not add a third coolant to my inventory. Therefore, green or G-05 is going in the SVT Cobra. I would like to convert to G-05 so I don’t need to change it as often, but am willing to use green if G-05 presents a problem. Does anyone know if there is a fundamental compatibility problem using G-05 in the SVT, or is it simply that green was originally used and it shouldn’t be mixed with other coolants?
 
That is strange that they specially mention not to use G-05 as my 2004 Cobra is G-05 and the engine blocks and cylinder heads are not really that different. I think G-05 is the way to go as information in the owners manuals get outdated and coolant technology has come a long way in the past 10 years. If you look at what Ford has done they put a lot of the G-05 in the newer vehicles. I would just make sure to flush the system with a cleaner and plenty of water before refilling.

Just make sure to take the plug off on the crossover tube and fill the last bit from there as air pockets can develop since it is located above the level of the coolant in the reservoir tank.
 
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Head to a GM dealership and grab some AC Delco fast flush and run it as directed, then flush it all out with distilled water until its clear.

Change it over to G05 and be done with it.

Also Amsoil makes some pretty nice coolant if your doing a full flush anyways.
 
According to "The Chart"
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/main/quickref/scucEN.pdf
'99-'01 'Stangs
"Mustang (including Cobra, Shelby GT500, Boss 302, etc.)"

Are GY rated, which stands for
"GY = Factory-filled with green-colored engine coolant. Service as normal with green-colored engine coolant, or service with yellow-colored engine coolant with
the following important conditions:
I. If the green-colored engine coolant is thoroughly flushed out of the cooling system and then the system is filled with yellow-colored engine coolant, the
service maintenance (change-out) intervals of the yellow-colored engine coolant can be followed.
II. If the green-colored engine coolant is not completely flushed out of the cooling system (e.g., yellow-colored engine coolant is used to top off the system),
then the service maintenance (change-out) intervals of the green-colored engine coolant must be followed.
III. All pre-1999 vehicles, as well as all model years of Mercury Villager, must be serviced with the green-colored engine coolant."


So, If you want to use G-05, do a THOROUGH flush, then switch
Or, just drain and fill Green, which there isn't anything wrong with
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Originally Posted By: SVTCobra
That is strange that they specially mention not to use G-05 as my 2004 Cobra is G-05 and the engine blocks and cylinder heads are not really that different.

SVT seemed late to adopt G-05. My Lightning also used original green while the rest of the Ford lineup was getting away from the product.
 
Orange = Dexcool, not G-05.

G-05 is "gold" or "yellow."

G-05 is safe in your car. There is no compatibility problem, but I would do a full flush. Green was spec'd for my truck in 2001. In 2002, Motorcraft Gold was spec'd. No material changes to the cooling system.
 
I own a 2001 Escape that I bought new, now with 203k. I have flushed the coolant every 30k. I have stayed with the original green even though I thought about switching to G 05. Green has worked well though. No problems in all those miles.
 
Usually orange coolant is Dexcool, but MOPAR's G-05 equivalent is also orange, and would work if a car needed Motorcraft Gold.

This is also why Zerex G-05 is yellow. It doesn't end up looking too much different from OEM G-05 coolants.

I like the idea of totally flushing out the cooling system and using G-05 or Motorcraft Gold. There are numerous posts in this forum about why G-05/Motorcraft Gold are better than conventional green stuff.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. I had a 2002 Ranger that was orange, and I believe it was G-05.

I think I'm going to go with G-05 since I want to flush the system anyway. It will also allow me to go a little longer between coolant changes. Plus, the disposal is easier and less frequent. G-05 goes down the waste drain. The green is less disposal friendly and would occur more often.
 
The Ford orange was/still is Dex-Cool, the older bottles that just had VC-3 actually had a GM license printed on them.

Ford's G-05 is gold/yellow dyed.
 
Originally Posted By: Old Mustang Guy
The orange mentioned in the book was a dex cool type product that Ford experimented with. I think G 05 would be ok if the green is flushed out.


Agreed.


Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Orange = Dexcool, not G-05.

G-05 is "gold" or "yellow."

G-05 is safe in your car. There is no compatibility problem, but I would do a full flush. Green was spec'd for my truck in 2001. In 2002, Motorcraft Gold was spec'd. No material changes to the cooling system.



Agree on all counts.


Originally Posted By: Old Mustang Guy
I own a 2001 Escape that I bought new, now with 203k. I have flushed the coolant every 30k. I have stayed with the original green even though I thought about switching to G 05. Green has worked well though. No problems in all those miles.


Nor should you have problems with green at those short (but correct) drain intervals. It's a fine coolant, just not capable of proper long drain intervals.


Originally Posted By: artificialist
Usually orange coolant is Dexcool, but MOPAR's G-05 equivalent is also orange, and would work if a car needed Motorcraft Gold.


I have to disagree here. It does look orange in the radiator, but if you drain it into a galvanized pan or clear jug, it's pink. Not that it really matters. We both know that it's a G-05 formulation and that color isn't really important.
 
Conversion to G-05 complete. I was able to get out 8 of the 14 quarts by draining the radiator and removing a lower hose.

Four flushes with distilled water and in went the G-05. Everything looks clean so far.
 
Good, now enjoy the longer service life of G-05! Spend the time that you would normally be changing your green coolant, relaxing with a cold drink of your choice in hand...
 
Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Good, now enjoy the longer service life of G-05! Spend the time that you would normally be changing your green coolant, relaxing with a cold drink of your choice in hand...


...or enjoying the sweet sound of that 'Romeo' V-8 all wound out!
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It'll probably stay clean.

I have been amazed at how clean G-05/Coolgard II have kept the cooling system in my truck. No scale, rust, or any of that anywhere. It has never had a flush done on the cooling system in its life...just drain & fills from the radiator at no particular interval.
 
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