Nothing in my owners manual recommending it.
When should I have my radiator flushed?
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What type of coolant is in it?
If it's long-life coolant, I'd leave it in for 75-100k miles, or 4-5 years, whichever comes first.
I'm sure other will chime in with their recommendations, too.
If it's long-life coolant, I'd leave it in for 75-100k miles, or 4-5 years, whichever comes first.
I'm sure other will chime in with their recommendations, too.
I agree with WW. My 01 Accord came with Honda's LL coolant and I drained/refilled at ~82K. It was still clear green and there was no crud in my radiator or reservoir. It probably could have lasted to my 105K timing belt/water pump replacment. It appears the chemistry of these fluids is up to the task. Anyway, I'm currently in the "no flush" ranks, just drain/refill as needed. If changing from one chemistry to another, maybe a case could be made for the flush, I'm not sure about that. I stayed with the Honda LL 2 (green) coolant. It's my understanding my next batch will be blue, but will be the same chemistry. I guess I'll have an aqua blue reservoir upon my next drain/refill.
I believe I've read where Ford uses Z05 chemistry and most on this board have had success with this fluid also. IMHO just monitor the condition of the fluid reservoir and occasionally open the radiator cap, when cold, and take a peak.
[ February 18, 2006, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: mike1qaz ]
I believe I've read where Ford uses Z05 chemistry and most on this board have had success with this fluid also. IMHO just monitor the condition of the fluid reservoir and occasionally open the radiator cap, when cold, and take a peak.
[ February 18, 2006, 01:12 PM: Message edited by: mike1qaz ]
06 ranger, if Ford hasn't changed it yet. It will be 5years/or 105,000 miles whichever comes first. Then 3years/or 50,000 miles thereafter. The reason for the 3years 50,000 miles after the initial fill is the quality of the water used can't be controlled outside of the factory.
If your interested I can post the text of a Ford TSB that discusses this.
I wonder if the newer Rangers have a lifetime fill on coolant?
If your interested I can post the text of a Ford TSB that discusses this.
I wonder if the newer Rangers have a lifetime fill on coolant?
Please do.
ISSUE:
A new, extended-life engine coolant, yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant, meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51-A1, service part numbers VC-7-A and VC-7-C (for use in the U.S., except California and Oregon) and VC-7-B (for use only in California and Oregon as it contains a bittering agent), has been equipped in all of the vehicles noted above. The initial-fill life for this coolant is 100,000 miles/5 years. Due to variations in water quality, the replacement interval is 50,000 miles/3 years.
ACTION:
Any time the addition of coolant or a coolant change-out is required, USE ONLY THE TYPE OF ENGINE COOLANT WITH WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED. DO NOT MIX COOLANT TYPES. To determine the type of coolant required, check the color of coolant in the coolant reservoir of the vehicle or refer to the applicable vehicle's Owner's Guide or Workshop Manual for service parts and specification information.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Except for heavy-duty vehicles equipped with the Caterpillar 3126E engine, the use of a supplemental coolant additive (SCA) such as Motorcraft Heavy- Duty Cooling System Additive, service part number FW-16, is not required in conjunction with this coolant.
Testing is currently underway to determine the backward compatibility of the Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant in vehicles equipped with the green-colored Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant, service part numbers VC-4-A, VC-4-B, and VC-5. Until the final test results are available, vehicles should ONLY be serviced with type of coolant with which they were originally equipped.
Please note that Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant is not compatible with any orange-colored, extended-life engine coolants such as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, service part numbers VC-2 and VC-3. DO NOT MIX COOLANT TYPES. USE ONLY THE TYPE OF COOLANT WITH WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in degradation of corrosion protection and potential engine damage.
Coolant Discoloration:
The current Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, service part number VC-6, used in both Production and Service, cause the yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant to change color ranging from a light golden brown to dark brown, depending upon the amount of pellet material in the coolant reservoir. This discoloration does not adversely affect the coolant or the vehicle's cooling system components. No repairs are required for this condition. To avoid confusion with regard to coolant contamination, a new formulation of stop leak pellets will be implemented in Production and Service in the near future.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
VC-7-A Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant - For Use In U.S. (Except For California and Oregon) - (6) U.S. 1 Gallon Containers
VC-7-B Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent - For Use Only In California and Oregon - (6) U.S. 1 Gallon Containers
VC-7-C Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant - For Use In U.S. (Except For California and Oregon) - (1) 55 Gallon Drum
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
NONE
SUPERSEDES:
02-17-7
WARRANTY STATUS:
INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES:
402000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle.
Copyright © 2002 Ford Motor Company
A new, extended-life engine coolant, yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant, meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51-A1, service part numbers VC-7-A and VC-7-C (for use in the U.S., except California and Oregon) and VC-7-B (for use only in California and Oregon as it contains a bittering agent), has been equipped in all of the vehicles noted above. The initial-fill life for this coolant is 100,000 miles/5 years. Due to variations in water quality, the replacement interval is 50,000 miles/3 years.
ACTION:
Any time the addition of coolant or a coolant change-out is required, USE ONLY THE TYPE OF ENGINE COOLANT WITH WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED. DO NOT MIX COOLANT TYPES. To determine the type of coolant required, check the color of coolant in the coolant reservoir of the vehicle or refer to the applicable vehicle's Owner's Guide or Workshop Manual for service parts and specification information.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Except for heavy-duty vehicles equipped with the Caterpillar 3126E engine, the use of a supplemental coolant additive (SCA) such as Motorcraft Heavy- Duty Cooling System Additive, service part number FW-16, is not required in conjunction with this coolant.
Testing is currently underway to determine the backward compatibility of the Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant in vehicles equipped with the green-colored Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant, service part numbers VC-4-A, VC-4-B, and VC-5. Until the final test results are available, vehicles should ONLY be serviced with type of coolant with which they were originally equipped.
Please note that Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant is not compatible with any orange-colored, extended-life engine coolants such as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, service part numbers VC-2 and VC-3. DO NOT MIX COOLANT TYPES. USE ONLY THE TYPE OF COOLANT WITH WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in degradation of corrosion protection and potential engine damage.
Coolant Discoloration:
The current Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, service part number VC-6, used in both Production and Service, cause the yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant to change color ranging from a light golden brown to dark brown, depending upon the amount of pellet material in the coolant reservoir. This discoloration does not adversely affect the coolant or the vehicle's cooling system components. No repairs are required for this condition. To avoid confusion with regard to coolant contamination, a new formulation of stop leak pellets will be implemented in Production and Service in the near future.
PART NUMBER PART NAME
VC-7-A Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant - For Use In U.S. (Except For California and Oregon) - (6) U.S. 1 Gallon Containers
VC-7-B Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent - For Use Only In California and Oregon - (6) U.S. 1 Gallon Containers
VC-7-C Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant - For Use In U.S. (Except For California and Oregon) - (1) 55 Gallon Drum
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
NONE
SUPERSEDES:
02-17-7
WARRANTY STATUS:
INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES:
402000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford, Lincoln, or Mercury dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle.
Copyright © 2002 Ford Motor Company
That is a 2002 TSB, and I'm aware of it. I thought you may have something more recent.
As an update, the 2005 Ford/Motorcraft Chemical Catalog shows that Gold Coolant (G05) can be used back to 1999 model year Ford products except for Cougars, Electric Rangers (they used Dexcool) and Villager (really a rebadged Nissan Quest).
As an update, the 2005 Ford/Motorcraft Chemical Catalog shows that Gold Coolant (G05) can be used back to 1999 model year Ford products except for Cougars, Electric Rangers (they used Dexcool) and Villager (really a rebadged Nissan Quest).
The irony is that Chrysler, in its infinite wisdom, uses orange marker dye in its version of G-05. Ford's yellow-colored antifreeze is also G-05. The Chrysler brew could be used in Fords specifying Ford's yellow colored coolant with absolutely no danger of component incompatibilities, but a Ford service manager would probably have a cow and go into a tirade if he saw orange in the overflow bottle from what an aware owner had done by substituting the Mopar syrup in case circumstances prevented access to the Ford or Zerex products. Also begs the question how many Chrysler owners inadvertently pour DEX-COOL into their systems at changeout time believing if it's orange, it's OK. Way to go, Chrysler!
I'd flush the system whenever you change the coolant. If for no other reason than the fact that you cannot change the coolant without draining the engine block as well as the radiator, because you have the water/antifreeze mixture in the engine block as well as the radiator.
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