Thinking of Changing coolant- 2003 Ford Windstar

[sarity945]

Note: There is no problem as in vehicle overheating or leaks. No leaks. I don't know the last time coolant was changed since i am the 2nd owner. The coolant reservoir/expansion tank is dirty. It was dirty when i bought it. Other than that absolutely no perceptible problem in the operation of the actual cooling system. The temp gauge is where it should be even in peak summer.

So i am thinking of changing the coolant. A bit confused about this flush thing i keep hearing about. Is it some kind of chemical or pressure flush? Should i do a flush and a change or just go with the change? I also hear about leaks happening after a flush which is scary. I don't wanna do something good and end up with a problem. My second question is Ford recommends Motorcraft E2FZ-19549-AA (Ford part number) ESE-M97B44-A (ford specification) coolant which i believe is the green one but they are kinda expensive. Is it ok as in beyond the shadow of any doubt to use less expensive alternatives or should i stick with Motorcraft?

Thank you.

 

[Oliveoil2]

Use OEM ford fluid and sleep well.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

How long have you owned it?

If that coolant really is old-school silicate green, that doesn't last a long time. Peak and Zerex still make green silicate coolant if you still want to use it.

It says to use Gold in the 2003 Ford Windstar owner's manual (go to page 201). Gold is Zerex G-05. The aftermarket coolant companies' catalogs also say to use gold.

 

[sarity945]

How long have you owned it?

If that coolant really is old-school silicate green, that doesn't last a long time. Peak and Zerex still make green silicate coolant if you still want to use it.

It says to use Gold in the 2003 Ford Windstar owner's manual (go to page 201). Gold is Zerex G-05. The aftermarket coolant companies' catalogs also say to use gold.

A little over 2 years i think. You know i am most likely mistaken, it maybe gold. Any concerns in using aftermarket instead of Motorcraft?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

A little over 2 years i think. You know i am most likely mistaken, it maybe gold. Any concerns in using aftermarket instead of Motorcraft?

2 years isn't bad, but if you don't know the history, it's worth changing it.

Zerex G-05 is the exact same as Motorcraft Gold. But even other aftermarket gold coolants (Peak OET Gold, Recochem Gold, etc) are not a problem at all.

If you're not sure what's in it now, and also not sure when it was done last, flush it completely. If you can access the freeze plug(s)/drain the block, great. If not, drain the coolant, fill it with water, run it, let it cool, then add Gold/G05 coolant back in, and use the Lisle funnel to bleed the air out.

 

[sarity945]

If you're not sure what's in it now, and also not sure when it was done last, flush it completely. If you can access the freeze plug(s)/drain the block, great. If not, drain the coolant, fill it with water, run it, let it cool, then add Gold/G05 coolant back in, and use the Lisle funnel to bleed the air out.

Flush it how? Chemically?

I have some concerns about flushing as mentioned in op. Some are saying leaks happen after flushing. What is your opinion? Is there a youtube video you might know for windstar goes through the steps you list?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Flush it how? Chemically?

I have some concerns about flushing as mentioned in op. Some are saying leaks happen after flushing. What is your opinion? Is there a youtube video you might know for windstar goes through the steps you list?

I wasn't talking about a chemical flush, just water

Basically do two regular drain and fills, but the first one is just water.

Maybe this video is helpful

 

[ripcord]

One low drama way to do it is to just drain and refill with water and drive it for a day or two and repeat until the water looks pretty clean. Obviously, you wouldn't do that in freezing weather. Then, do a final drain and pour in half the capacity of the system with concentrated coolant and top off with water. If you have hard water, definitely use distilled water. Don't tell anyone but our water district has super soft water, so usually I don't bother with distilled. Never had a bit of scale in my cars.

Edit: a 2003 Ford should have come with the gold colored coolant. This is a long life coolant and is readily available at just about any auto parts store as Xerex G-05 in both concentrate and 50/50 form.

 

[BC1]

Good advice above but you seem a little nervous about this. I suggest to just drain, catch and measure whatever you can get out the radiator. Then add 1/2 concentrate 1/2 water back. Do it again every 18 months or so and be ahead of 95% of all cars. G-05 is on sale right now.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ZRXZXG051

 

[ripcord]

Good advice above but you seem a little nervous about this. I suggest to just drain, catch and measure whatever you can get out the radiator. Then add 1/2 concentrate 1/2 water back. Do it again every 18 months or so and be ahead of 95% of all cars. G-05 is on sale right now.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ZRXZXG051

Thanks for the sale link. I need some G05

 

[Sumboodie]

I run ELC in everything. I'm not keeping 28 different antifreezes around for the fleet.

If it doesn't like that, oh well, it's getting sold then!

 

[eljefino]

Drain and fill is fine. You want fresh chemistry. Don't go stirring up a hornet's nest. Check your levels every day for a bit until it burps all the air out.

 

[sarity945]

Thank you all for some great advice and a shoutout to @slacktide_bitog for finding the video and @BC1 for the link to the sale.