2015 Ford Taurus 3.5L, low mileage, the coolant is a light purple color. The owners manual says it should be orange (dexcool I assume). I doubt it's been changed since new though. I did find a website that mentioned a new Ford "Super" something coolant that's purple (?) I'd like to know in case it needs to be topped up. I'd also like to avoid going to a dealer if possible.
what is this coolant?
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Zerex 1 Gallon Purple HOAT Based Antifreeze ???
Mopar's 10-year/150,000 mile coolant is essentially the same thing as Motorcraft orange. Someone must have put that in.
According to Ford's chart, it's factory fill was
WSS-M97B44-D or WSS-M97B44-D2 (Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant)
(from 7/11/11) to Current MY19 models, they all use Orange
Check the chart yourself
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/main/quickref/coolantsEN.pdf
WSS-M97B44-D or WSS-M97B44-D2 (Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant)
(from 7/11/11) to Current MY19 models, they all use Orange
Check the chart yourself
https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/main/quickref/coolantsEN.pdf
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Ford uses Dexcool ?
Have they experienced the horrows I read about , Dexcool in GM vehicles ?
Have they experienced the horrows I read about , Dexcool in GM vehicles ?
I think all the "horrors" (and I am with you on that subject) were the dissolving intake manifold gaskets of some engines.
It was completely inexcusable and I think just another act of flagrant disregard for the consumer.
Given that episode and how GM trucks rust I am "completely off" GM products...until something real good comes along.
Dex-Cool can only be used in sealed systems. A reservoir with a mere bug stopper flap top is not air tight.
Also, many of the more current horror stories likely involve mixing coolants.
FYI: Besides the zillions of cars running the stuff, I've cleaned / refreshed several systems and just replaced the Dex-Cool. All without problem.
Anything Ford would use is commonly called a "Dex-Clone" on this board. Chemically similar with possible color change and comes in a Ford jug.
It was completely inexcusable and I think just another act of flagrant disregard for the consumer.
Given that episode and how GM trucks rust I am "completely off" GM products...until something real good comes along.
Dex-Cool can only be used in sealed systems. A reservoir with a mere bug stopper flap top is not air tight.
Also, many of the more current horror stories likely involve mixing coolants.
FYI: Besides the zillions of cars running the stuff, I've cleaned / refreshed several systems and just replaced the Dex-Cool. All without problem.
Anything Ford would use is commonly called a "Dex-Clone" on this board. Chemically similar with possible color change and comes in a Ford jug.
I will probably get yelled at . For at least 20 years , I only add water to a cooling system , in case of an emergency . And also use only 100% coolant . Not 50-50 mix .
My theory is , no water , no rust .
Up until 2015 , my only experience with coolant has been the traditional green coolant .
I have a 1991 Caprice running it now . A 2006 Buick and 2015 Sonic running Dexcool .
My theory is , no water , no rust .
Up until 2015 , my only experience with coolant has been the traditional green coolant .
I have a 1991 Caprice running it now . A 2006 Buick and 2015 Sonic running Dexcool .
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
I will probably get yelled at. For at least 20 years, I only add water to a cooling system, in case of an emergency. And also use only 100% coolant. Not 50-50 mix.
My theory is, no water, no rust.
Wait, what? You have 100% coolant in your system? Not diluted at all?
I will probably get yelled at. For at least 20 years, I only add water to a cooling system, in case of an emergency. And also use only 100% coolant. Not 50-50 mix.
My theory is, no water, no rust.
Wait, what? You have 100% coolant in your system? Not diluted at all?
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
I will probably get yelled at . For at least 20 years , I only add water to a cooling system , in case of an emergency . And also use only 100% coolant . Not 50-50 mix .
My theory is , no water , no rust .
Up until 2015 , my only experience with coolant has been the traditional green coolant .
I have a 1991 Caprice running it now . A 2006 Buick and 2015 Sonic running Dexcool .
If it works, it works, but you are losing "specific heat capacity." Depending on how far south you are in Texas, you may want more (much more) water than coolant.
Read more here.
I will probably get yelled at . For at least 20 years , I only add water to a cooling system , in case of an emergency . And also use only 100% coolant . Not 50-50 mix .
My theory is , no water , no rust .
Up until 2015 , my only experience with coolant has been the traditional green coolant .
I have a 1991 Caprice running it now . A 2006 Buick and 2015 Sonic running Dexcool .
If it works, it works, but you are losing "specific heat capacity." Depending on how far south you are in Texas, you may want more (much more) water than coolant.
Read more here.
Originally Posted By: Squirrelee
If it works, it works, but you are losing "specific heat capacity." Depending on how far south you are in Texas, you may want more (much more) water than coolant.
Read more here.
And considering the primary method of heat conduction in the block it is especially bad to be using 100% glycol.
If it works, it works, but you are losing "specific heat capacity." Depending on how far south you are in Texas, you may want more (much more) water than coolant.
Read more here.
And considering the primary method of heat conduction in the block it is especially bad to be using 100% glycol.
OK I'm an idiot. Turns out it only looks purple when seen through the plastic tank for some reason. Looking directly it's dark orange. It's more orange than dexcool, which is more like red/orange. Now just have to figure out where to get it other than a dealer.
Originally Posted By: Squirrelee
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
I will probably get yelled at . For at least 20 years , I only add water to a cooling system , in case of an emergency . And also use only 100% coolant . Not 50-50 mix .
My theory is , no water , no rust .
Up until 2015 , my only experience with coolant has been the traditional green coolant .
I have a 1991 Caprice running it now . A 2006 Buick and 2015 Sonic running Dexcool .
If it works, it works, but you are losing "specific heat capacity." Depending on how far south you are in Texas, you may want more (much more) water than coolant.
Read more here.
I understand what you are saying . Please consider this .
A - I have never had any problems with 100% coolant .
B - I am sure 100% coolant , cools better than a cooling system / radiator that is partially degraded by rust and deposits .
C - And if I blow a hose , I can refill ( in an emergency ) with water & still have sufficient coolant .
D - No water , no corrosion / deposits . I have had to have a radiator rodded out , in the distant past . Not an issue with 100% coolant .
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
I will probably get yelled at . For at least 20 years , I only add water to a cooling system , in case of an emergency . And also use only 100% coolant . Not 50-50 mix .
My theory is , no water , no rust .
Up until 2015 , my only experience with coolant has been the traditional green coolant .
I have a 1991 Caprice running it now . A 2006 Buick and 2015 Sonic running Dexcool .
If it works, it works, but you are losing "specific heat capacity." Depending on how far south you are in Texas, you may want more (much more) water than coolant.
Read more here.
I understand what you are saying . Please consider this .
A - I have never had any problems with 100% coolant .
B - I am sure 100% coolant , cools better than a cooling system / radiator that is partially degraded by rust and deposits .
C - And if I blow a hose , I can refill ( in an emergency ) with water & still have sufficient coolant .
D - No water , no corrosion / deposits . I have had to have a radiator rodded out , in the distant past . Not an issue with 100% coolant .
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
I will probably get yelled at. For at least 20 years, I only add water to a cooling system, in case of an emergency. And also use only 100% coolant. Not 50-50 mix.
My theory is, no water, no rust.
Wait, what? You have 100% coolant in your system? Not diluted at all?
For all practical purposes , yes .
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
I will probably get yelled at. For at least 20 years, I only add water to a cooling system, in case of an emergency. And also use only 100% coolant. Not 50-50 mix.
My theory is, no water, no rust.
Wait, what? You have 100% coolant in your system? Not diluted at all?
For all practical purposes , yes .
Okay but I've never had rust, corrosion or "problems" either with properly mixed coolant on any of my cars. Even at over 350,000 miles on my Sienna when I did the last timing belt (and water pump) change the interior of the engine was spotless. Same goes for my other cars, including the BMW. I do use the proper factory coolant however. If you have a hose blow you can refill with water regardless of what was in the system initially, that argument makes no sense.
If I lived in Texas I'd much rather not deliberately compromise my cooling system with straight coolant no matter what benefits I might imagine I'm getting.
If I lived in Texas I'd much rather not deliberately compromise my cooling system with straight coolant no matter what benefits I might imagine I'm getting.
Also , to me , it is crazy to buy 50-50 mix . You are paying a lot for the 1/2 gallon of water . I can buy " processed " / filtered / purified water at Water Mill Express for $ .25 a gallon . ( Our tap water is very hard . )
Even if I did use a 50-50 mix .
Even if I did use a 50-50 mix .
Originally Posted By: WyrTwister
Also , to me , it is crazy to buy 50-50 mix . You are paying a lot for the 1/2 gallon of water . I can buy " processed " / filtered / purified water at Water Mill Express for $ .25 a gallon . ( Our tap water is very hard . )
Even if I did use a 50-50 mix .
You're paying more for straight coolant.
And you don't want "processed", "filtered" or "purified" water either, you want distilled, DI or RO water without the minerals.
Also , to me , it is crazy to buy 50-50 mix . You are paying a lot for the 1/2 gallon of water . I can buy " processed " / filtered / purified water at Water Mill Express for $ .25 a gallon . ( Our tap water is very hard . )
Even if I did use a 50-50 mix .
You're paying more for straight coolant.
And you don't want "processed", "filtered" or "purified" water either, you want distilled, DI or RO water without the minerals.
I pay a few dollars more for 100% coolant , but I get a gallon of coolant , instead od 1/2 gallon of coolant ( and 1/2 gallon of water ) .
The water from Water Mill Express is RO water .
http://www.watermillexpress.com/concept/our-water/our-process/
The water from Water Mill Express is RO water .
http://www.watermillexpress.com/concept/our-water/our-process/
Originally Posted By: kschachn
Okay but I've never had rust, corrosion or "problems" either with properly mixed coolant on any of my cars. Even at over 350,000 miles on my Sienna when I did the last timing belt (and water pump) change the interior of the engine was spotless. Same goes for my other cars, including the BMW. I do use the proper factory coolant however. If you have a hose blow you can refill with water regardless of what was in the system initially, that argument makes no sense.
If I lived in Texas I'd much rather not deliberately compromise my cooling system with straight coolant no matter what benefits I might imagine I'm getting.
Hard to argue with success . And , so far , I have been successful .
These have been with cars . Not a truck and no towing .
This is in West Texas . 100F + common in summer .
Okay but I've never had rust, corrosion or "problems" either with properly mixed coolant on any of my cars. Even at over 350,000 miles on my Sienna when I did the last timing belt (and water pump) change the interior of the engine was spotless. Same goes for my other cars, including the BMW. I do use the proper factory coolant however. If you have a hose blow you can refill with water regardless of what was in the system initially, that argument makes no sense.
If I lived in Texas I'd much rather not deliberately compromise my cooling system with straight coolant no matter what benefits I might imagine I'm getting.
Hard to argue with success . And , so far , I have been successful .
These have been with cars . Not a truck and no towing .
This is in West Texas . 100F + common in summer .
Originally Posted By: neo3
OK I'm an idiot. Turns out it only looks purple when seen through the plastic tank for some reason. Looking directly it's dark orange. It's more orange than dexcool, which is more like red/orange. Now just have to figure out where to get it other than a dealer.
Well, there's this listing on Amazon (for $32), but to be honest, you'll probably find it cheaper at your dealership.
... or you can just go and buy the Zerex Dex-Cool stuff, which is the exact same thing, for less than $20.
OK I'm an idiot. Turns out it only looks purple when seen through the plastic tank for some reason. Looking directly it's dark orange. It's more orange than dexcool, which is more like red/orange. Now just have to figure out where to get it other than a dealer.
Well, there's this listing on Amazon (for $32), but to be honest, you'll probably find it cheaper at your dealership.
... or you can just go and buy the Zerex Dex-Cool stuff, which is the exact same thing, for less than $20.
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