Changing unknown coolant (but probably Dexcool) in 2010 Panther

[NJ01MGM]

OK, so here is my situation and I appreciate any help!

I have a 2010 Grand Marquis that I purchased used. I want to replace the coolant.

The owner's manual says to use "Motorcraft Premium Gold", which I also think is = to G05. This is fine except that the coolant currently in the car is most definitely orange in color. It is supposed to be gold, but it sure looks orange to me. I can assume it was switched to Dexcool at some point, for some reason, but I really have no idea.

Here's my question. If I were to flush the system repeatedly with distilled water until it comes out almost-clear, is it better to replace with new MC Gold/G05 or with MC Yellow? The MC Yellow is compatible with Dexcool/MC Orange, but not MC Gold/G05. If I get it flushed well enough, does it really matter what I use? I'd like to put in the MC Gold that belongs in there but I'm just worried I can't get 100% of the orange stuff out.

Thank you in advance!!!

 

[Escape08]

My Ford Escape requires MC Gold.The coolant looks Gold when you pour it in but when the coolant is already inside the bottle it looks light orange ro me.

When I do a coolant flushed on my vehicles, I use a water hose, and run water to the radiator while the engine is running (heater swithed to high and blower fan in full). I stop when clear water is coming out of the radiator.

 

[Snagglefoot]

In 2011 Ford started going to the orange coolant. A mechanic changing the coolant would have reached for Ford’s orange stuff. I would do the distilled water dilution then go with Preston 10 year all makes in the concentrated form. There’s really no reason to use a Ford branded coolant on a 14 year old car. IMHO.

 

[Jetronic]

OK, so here is my situation and I appreciate any help!

I have a 2010 Grand Marquis that I purchased used. I want to replace the coolant.

The owner's manual says to use "Motorcraft Premium Gold", which I also think is = to G05. This is fine except that the coolant currently in the car is most definitely orange in color. It is supposed to be gold, but it sure looks orange to me. I can assume it was switched to Dexcool at some point, for some reason, but I really have no idea.

Here's my question. If I were to flush the system repeatedly with distilled water until it comes out almost-clear, is it better to replace with new MC Gold/G05 or with MC Yellow? The MC Yellow is compatible with Dexcool/MC Orange, but not MC Gold/G05. If I get it flushed well enough, does it really matter what I use? I'd like to put in the MC Gold that belongs in there but I'm just worried I can't get 100% of the orange stuff out.

Thank you in advance!!!

You can use whatever coolant you like if the system is cleaned out.

 

[Sayjac]

If you do a distilled flush, ie, multiple radiator d&fs until water runs/looks clear you can use either the spec'd MC Gold G-05 or whatever the latest color AF Ford is going with currently. I would not worry about any minor mix (if any) that might occur. Personally, after the flush, I'd stick with the spec'd G-05 low silicate HOAT AF.

On a personal observation, Ford has changed coolant specs so often seems absurd imo. It seems when there's some issue in the cooling system, the AF gets blamed then changed. Iirc, seems it was heater core issues which led to changing from MC Dex type AF to the current recommended AF, supposedly some Prestone AF variant. It leads me to question if the system parts involved the real issue. My.02

 

[Urshurak776]

For a 2010? Drain/flush a few times with DI water. When drain looks clear, drain it all out. Add appropriate amount of Peak 10X concentrate to bring system to 50/50. Go for a drive. Check level, add as needed over next couple days when air is getting out.

Check concentration with one of those cheap-o gizmos they sell next to the rabbits feet.

Go have a bowl of cereal and never worry about it again.

 

[John105]

Could be a wives tale but I have read never use Dexcool in a non GM vehicle.

I will say this....fluids look different depending on the light.

I have looked at brand new pink Toyota SLLC in a clear water bottle, and the less light there is, the more orange it looks, like Dexcool. Then shine light through it, and it's pink. I even saw this effect on a Prius forum.

I remember in 1989 when there was a coolant shortage and 100% Prestone spiked to $9/gal. That's $23 today, yet people will pay more than that for 50/50 at Toyota.

 

[Sayjac]

......For a 2010? Drain/flush a few times with DI water. When drain looks clear, drain it all out. Add appropriate amount of Peak 10X concentrate to bring system to 50/50. Go for a drive. Check level, add as needed over next couple days when air is getting out.......

After a distilled flush, fwiw I also like Peak 10X concentrate as an option. Like G-05 it's got no 2eha and a long service interval OAT AF. My answer was based on limiting it to options given by the OP. But, Peak 10X also a good option instead of the choices given.

 

[bullwinkle]

MC Premium Orange=Dexcool, but Ford has changed over to the Yellow, which has been established is Prestone AMAM w/Corguard. Unless you're 100% certain you can get it all out, I wouldn't use Gold/G-05 (which is what the MGM 4.6 in my sig has). Orange, Yellow, Prestone, & used Dexcool have been scientifically proven to mix without issues... In my departed '18 Transit 250-by the time the company dumped the leaky POS, the degas bottle was a lovely Dexcool red!

 

[bullwinkle]

In 2011 Ford started going to the orange coolant. A mechanic changing the coolant would have reached for Ford’s orange stuff. I would do the distilled water dilution then go with Preston 10 year all makes in the concentrated form. There’s really no reason to use a Ford branded coolant on a 14 year old car. IMHO.


View attachment 229823

That chart is no help at all, using "Y" to mean Gold/G-05! Stupid FoMoCo.

 

[Snagglefoot]

That chart is no help at all, using "Y" to mean Gold/G-05! Stupid FoMoCo.

And here is the subsequent chart when ford went to Gold in 2020. Maybe this will help.

 

[NJ01MGM]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the information. It sounds like my safest bet might be the Peak 10X which can seemingly blend with anything. I've gotten most of the stuff out, so I could also probably go with G05 as well. Maybe I will just get what's cheapest on the shelf tomorrow!

 

[NJ01MGM]

In 2011 Ford started going to the orange coolant. A mechanic changing the coolant would have reached for Ford’s orange stuff. I would do the distilled water dilution then go with Preston 10 year all makes in the concentrated form. There’s really no reason to use a Ford branded coolant on a 14 year old car. IMHO.


View attachment 229823

Its interesting that the Crown Vic was never spec'd for Orange at least according to this chart. If it had Gold, why not just stick with Gold? Why change it to Orange? Anyway, I'll never know why the previous owner did what they did I would have just kept what the car came with. Thanks for sharing the chart!

 

[NJ01MGM]

After a distilled flush, fwiw I also like Peak 10X concentrate as an option. Like G-05 it's got no 2eha and a long service interval OAT AF. My answer was based on limiting it to options given by the OP. But, Peak 10X also a good option instead of the choices given.

I'm def considering the Peak 10X - I wasn't aware of it but now I am and it might be the best solution all things considered. Thanks!

 

[johnnydc]

OK, so here is my situation and I appreciate any help!

I have a 2010 Grand Marquis that I purchased used. I want to replace the coolant.

The owner's manual says to use "Motorcraft Premium Gold", which I also think is = to G05. This is fine except that the coolant currently in the car is most definitely orange in color. It is supposed to be gold, but it sure looks orange to me. I can assume it was switched to Dexcool at some point, for some reason, but I really have no idea.

Here's my question. If I were to flush the system repeatedly with distilled water until it comes out almost-clear, is it better to replace with new MC Gold/G05 or with MC Yellow? The MC Yellow is compatible with Dexcool/MC Orange, but not MC Gold/G05. If I get it flushed well enough, does it really matter what I use? I'd like to put in the MC Gold that belongs in there but I'm just worried I can't get 100% of the orange stuff out.

Thank you in advance!!!

I have an 2008 that came with the green stuff in it. I flushed the crap out of it and replaced it with Motorcraft Premium Gold. And yes, Zerex G05 is the same thing. Use with confidence. Just flush really good.

 

[Sayjac]

I'm def considering the Peak 10X - I wasn't aware of it but now I am and it might be the best solution all things considered. Thanks!

It's a good choice imo, I don't believe you can go wrong with it.

 

[Fordiesel69]

You should not use a dexcool / clone in a panther 4.6L as the composite intake manifold will fail just like the GM cars that spec'd dexcool. Use G-05.