Ford Specialty Coolant and Hoses

[hominid7]

I have a multi-part question i am hoping someone can lend me their expert opinion on...

I have a 2001 Mazda 626 with the 2.5 liter V6. I believe Ford/Mazda calls for "Ford Specialty Orange Coolant # WSS-M97B44D".

My question is, is this nothing more than Dexcool? Or is it another formulation?

My second question is regarding Radiator Hose life-span. My 2001 has 53,000 miles on it. Hoses still are all original and look to be in excellent shape. Should i replace ALL the hoses (including heater hoses) now? Replace none now? Or perhaps replace just the 2 main radiator hoses for now and keep my eye on the rest?

Car is in excellent shape, no cooling or engine problems or leaks at all.

I had thought i'd keep with whatever came in the car, but upon reading more and more on Dexcool i'm thinking perhaps a change over to G-05 coolant might be a decent idea. Are G-05 and Dexcool ok to mix if there is a small amount of Dex left in the heater core?

I would assume plain old green anti-freeze is safe to mix with almost anything.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

I think 10 years/100,000 miles on hoses is fair, just keep an eye on them to make sure they are not cracking or dry-rotted.

As for coolant, Prestone All Makes/All Models may be all you need. I think the orange coolant you're referring to is Dex-Cool, as Ford began using Dex-Cool in the late 90's, if I recall correctly.

 

[G-MAN]

I'm pretty sure the only car Ford ever put Dex-Cool in was the short-lived Mercury Cougar. Ford went directly from green to G-05 in everything else.

 

[hominid7]

Thanks for the responses. This is a Mazda, with a Mazda Japan built engine, however the car was assembled in Michigan, so who knows what they used. The orig coolant was orange/red (I'm partially color blind which does not help). I had it flushed once at the dealer and they used the above mentioned "Ford Special Orange" which appears to be something other than Fords regular "red" coolant.

It was a lot easier when everything was green!

 

[The Critic]

Quote:

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It was a lot easier when everything was green!

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Prestone All Makes All Models

Actually, specialty orange is DexCool. Premium Gold is G-05. Green snot is green snot.

 

[brianl703]

The Cougar was assembled in Flat Rock, Michigan.

Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant meets or exceeds the following industry standards and specifications:

GM 6277M
Ford WSS-M97B44-D

Also a lot of Dex-Cool products meet this WSS-M97B44-D specification so I do believe it is a Dex-Cool formulation.

 

[hominid7]

Thanks! So far i've not had any problems so i may stick with dexcool since thats what's been used thus far.

 

[ewetho]

We basically use Specialty Orange as Dex in my Ford shop.

Not used in much. Can't say I have ever noticed it in a car and parts yells (Kidding really) at me all the time for the amount of coolant, Mercon, Smurf Juice I use topping of the fluids.

 

[Doc8404]

I don't see why you can't use the ST All Makes and ALl models green coolant, in ANY car, if you flush first.

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