Coolant for Ford Taurus and Drain question

[coopns]

1. Recommendations for Ford Taurus coolant?

2. Also, how much fluid does just pulling the drain plug out of the rad get out? I would like to keep up with it, would you say every year with a drain ...I am not interested in flushing.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

Get the Super Tech/Prestone All Makes All Models (full not mixed) and a gallon of distilled water to mix up 2 gallons of 50/50 anti-freeze.

I could not give you an accurate measure, but I would guess approximatley 1-1.5 gallons is from the radiator.

 

[coopns]

So by pulling the plug it gets anywhere from 50-70% (or so) of the fluid out of the rad. If I do it every year or two I should be ok?

Thanks.

 

[Ray H]

DEX-COOL will probably fine in your Ford, though Ford's made noises in the past that the stuff attacks gasket materials. (Too many people have posted excellent results with DEX-COOL in their Fords, so I'm not buying that argument, but be aware of it.) Ford's factory-fill these days is an amber-dyed G-05. Zerex G-05* is chemically the same - just dyed a harder-to-see amber once diluted down. If you use either long-life product, you should be good for at least three years if your cooling system is currently in good shape. (I just started year three on the SuperTech dexclone I'm running in my Hyundai. I converted over from Hyundai's green silicated snot after a very thorough distilled water flush. I flushed 7 times until the effluent drained water-white, then TASTED it. It tasted like distilled water, though I'm sure chemical analysis would've still uncovered trace amounts of ethylene glycol present. Other than my hair falling out over the past two decades, flat feet, and an inability to sleep through the night without a visit to the bathroom after an evening of carousing, I've suffered no untoward consequences...) I've always suspected (though can't prove) that automakers install radiators with roughly half the capacity of the entire cooling system.

*There's only one licensed blender of the G-05 formula in the U.S. - Ashland's Zerex division. Both Ford and DaimlerChrysler get their antifreeze/coolant from that source. Their only difference are the dye colors used.

 

[oilboy123]

I use the new Amsoil antifreeze. I think you get the most coolant out by pulling the bottom rad hose off the rad.

My taurus is a 98 yr. I would say 2/3 by pulling the rad hose off. Maybe half for just the drain plug.

 

[unDummy]

Yes, if you drain/refill your radiator every year. You will be OK. If you have 'old' antifreeze, consider another drain/refill in six months prior to starting the yearly routine.
Pick any antifreeze and stick with it. Don't rotate among brands or types. Distilled water should always be used. The premixed idiot-proof 50:50 bottles of coolant are great for those that don't want to mix or can't find distilled water.

You should also clean out the pressure bottle. It might have some settling in it. If it is brittle, replace it.
Replace the thermostat if more then 3 years old. Stick with an OEM stock temp type thermostat.