2002 7.3 Powerstroke in Excursion - coolant recommendation?

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Jul 15, 2023
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Hello,

I have the subject vehicle and I have been using peak global and distilled water in the cooling system since I have owned it (about 2 years and 7 k miles).

I am reading that is not the right stuff but I usually buy that in bulk since I have so many other vehicles.

What is the right stuff to use with economy in mind? I am cost conscious as well with inflation so I like to be creative while still meeting the spec.

I recently had to replace the underhood heater valve which started leaking and I lost alot of coolant during the process. I refilled with highly filtered water from my house so it's not the end of the world but I think it's a good time to swap out with the correct coolant all things considered.

Thanks.
 
Something with sca added. I know the older 7.3idi suffered from cylinder liner pinholes from cavitation. Not sure about the newer 7.3 powerstroke but it cant hurt.
 
So I heard that Peak Global Fleet is the right one due to cavitation on these. Does that have the SCA? I will check.

Thanks so far folks.
 
It would have come with green. You need to test it often and add stuff. I switched mine to Rotella ELC about 15 years ago. It does not need any SCAs. Anything with Cat ELC-1 is good just pull the block drains and swap it all.

You mentioned economy, watch the Napa monthly flyer for deals. They will have it on sale every once in a while.
 
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I've seen them on Youtube, they have an older video with the whole Peak lineup in it, with Global Lifetime being the star of the show.

This video is from almost 9 years ago, when they first started their Youtube channel. I haven't looked at this in years, they have been busy, the channel has 300 videos now. Was it this video that got you started on Global Lifetime?



Do you make out cost wise buying from these folks? I see on their website it says $99 flat rate shipping. My local Napa can order Peak Global, or many other different coolants, in 55 gallon drums and they deliver it for free!
 
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I've seen them on Youtube, they have an older video with the whole Peak lineup in it, with Global Lifetime being the star of the show.

This video is from almost 9 years ago, when they first started their Youtube channel. I haven't looked at this in years, they have been busy, the channel has 300 videos now. Was it this video that got you started on Global Lifetime?



Do you make out cost wise buying from these folks? I see on their website it says $99 flat rate shipping. My local Napa can order Peak Global, or many other different coolants, in 55 gallon drums and they deliver it for free!

So for the 6 gallons of pure undiluted I am getting 6 for $102.94 shipped. Shipping makes up about $41 of it.

I would go 55 gallons but really this will last a long time since I can't use it in my other vehicles not even my ALH TDIs which is a pain.

I have not seen it cheaper. Good to see someone else budget conscious.

https://petroleumservicecompany.com/fleet-charge-sca-antifreeze-coolant/

Thoughts?
 
Hmmm looks like NAPA has a sale and I still don't have to get off my tail nor do I need to buy 6. Saved me about 6 bucks....wondering if I can stack a coupon code. PSC might be cheaper in other instances though. I do believe that I learned about them here.

Thanks.
 
Not sure what to do here. The Peak Global Fleet is not lifetime so I have to drain it every few years (chatgpt says 2 years or 200k miles) and the Peak Final Charge is lifetime? This vehicle gets 10k miles on it if I am lucky it's just a lets go on a roadtrip vehicle.

To add, I find myself torn between lifetime coolants which are ultimately useless in practice when you burst a coolant hose unexpectedly and coolant that you have to change ever so often. I usually side towards lifetime and keeping a bucket underneath when draining and filling but I am usually not lucky enough to get that far.

This is truly one of the first vehicles that I have ever loved and want to take care of and would really hate to wreck prematurely. I also loathe working on it.

Thoughts? Thanks again.
 
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Not sure what to do here. The Peak Global Fleet is not lifetime so I have to drain it every few years (chatgpt says 2 years or 200k miles) and the Peak Final Charge is lifetime?

To add, I find myself torn between lifetime coolants which are ultimately useless in practice when you burst a coolant hose unexpectedly and coolant that you have to change ever so often. I usually side towards lifetime and keeping a bucket underneath when draining and filling but I am usually not lucky enough to get that far.

This is truly one of the first vehicles that I have ever loved and want to take care of and would really hate to wreck prematurely. I also loathe working on it.

Thoughts? Thanks again.
I didn't think the PS 7.3s were wet sleeves, they are just cast iron blocks like the gas mod motors of the time were, they don't have sleeves like some other diesels do... BUT John Deere makes some coolant that is highly regarded in the Diesel community.
 
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Motorcraft VC13 is what Ford specs now.

An ELC would be fine too. Peak Global is ok.

There's no true "lifetime" antifreeze that I've seen.

I run Delo ELC in my stuff. It's what nearly all the shops use at work.

It's about $13/gallon customer price for 60/40 blend. (Gets too cold for 50/50)
 
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