Lazy Daze Coolant January 28, 2021, 01:45:12 pm I'm trying to stock some basic fluids in the RV and am new to Ford engines. My manual (2017 6.8L engine) calls for Motorcraft Orange prediluted coolant, part #VC-3DIL-B. I'm having trouble finding that part number. Can I use this instead?Amazon.com: Motorcraft VC7DILB Anti-Freeze: Automotive As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #1 – January 28, 2021, 01:57:51 pm This is what I have used for years and should be what your LD uses.After five years of use, it normally still looks new and not discolored.Valvoline G-05Valvoline™ ZEREX™ G-05™ Antifreeze / Coolant : Product Catalog - Valvoline™Buy the undiluted coolant, not the pre-mixed...unless you like to spend more money than necessary, they charge a lot for adding distilled water.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #3 – January 28, 2021, 02:01:36 pm I use Motorcraft Gold, but add the distilled water. The pre-mix might be more convenient, but it's pricier; your choice.
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #5 – January 29, 2021, 06:14:10 am Greg-2017 was a transition model year (MY). Early models used "Gold," as did MY 2016. Later models used "Orange," as did MY 2018.The 2017 E-450 owner's manual (link here) says this on page 203:Specification NameEngine coolant (U.S. and Mexico):Motorcraft® Gold Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant Built up to 6/24/16VC-7DIL-B WSS-M97B51-A1Engine coolant (U.S. and Mexico):Motorcraft® Orange Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant Built after 7/11/16VC-3DIL-B WSS-M97B44-D2So, it's important to know when your LD's chassis was built.The chassis manufacture date may be located on an Ford "Incomplete Vehicle" label affixed near the driver's seat, although I don't know if there's such a label on your coach.Per this brochure, the "Orange" (VC-3DIL-B, WSS-M97B44-D2) coolant is used in a number of popular Ford products.Now, for the rest of the story.Ford put out a bulletin (link here) that announced the "Yellow" coolant could be used in place of the factory-installed "Orange" coolant. "Yellow" coolant has a different spec number than "Gold" coolant:Concentrated: WSS-M97B57-A1 (VC-13-G)Diluted: WSS-M97B57-A2 (VC-13DL-G)I see by searching on the Web that the "Yellow" is not widely available or inexpensive, either. Here's a link to a site that claims to have it in stock.One site cautioned that if you dilute the "Yellow" concentrate you should use distilled water, as the coolant "reacts" to some waterborne minerals.Mark H.
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #6 – January 29, 2021, 08:24:31 am I believe that Motorcraft "Gold" is readily available? Amazon.com : Motorcraft gold coolantUsing distilled water has always been the standard, as far as I know.
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #7 – January 29, 2021, 08:57:05 am Fantastic research, Mark! My incomplete chassis was built in Sept. 2016, so after the spec change. I had already purchased a gallon of the Xerox 50/50 product Larry mentioned in his post so now I’m wondering if it meets the new spec. Another rookie mistake on my part?
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #8 – January 29, 2021, 09:08:21 am For years the green coolant was the standard which required replacement every two years. Then gold came out with a service life of five years. That is what was specified in our 2010 rear bath and I did follow the guidelines for the ten years we had that coach. Never had any problems with the cooling system or engine over heating. It would be interesting as to what the advantage and improvements the orange coolant has for the newer engines. The main reason to use distilled water when diluting the coolant is there are no minerals in the water. Tap water can have a lot of calcium and other minerals that can etch or plug up the cooling system over time. Many of us can remember the days before coolant was available and it was standard practice to replace a calcium pluged-up radiator when using tap water as the only coolant. 1 Likes
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #9 – January 29, 2021, 01:33:43 pm Engine coolant comes in many different colors; green, orange, blue, yellow, pink and gold. Green and orange are the most common. But please heed this word of caution... DO NOT MIX different types (colors) of coolant. Mixing coolant types can cause the cooling liquid to turn to a jelly like consistency and ruin the engine. Please read the Ford owners manual first and look at what color coolant is in the radiator before adding or topping off.- John 1 Likes
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #10 – January 29, 2021, 02:41:51 pm Just a suggestion, but I don't think most people need to have some coolant sitting around just in case for a relatively new vehicle. Coolant is easy to find, and you can always temporarily use distilled water instead if you are in a pinch. I have some left over from the last time I changed the coolant, but I don't expect to need it for anything. Your RV shouldn't consume coolant unless something is mechanically wrong. Rich 3 Likes
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #11 – January 29, 2021, 03:07:43 pm Good point, Rich. I’ve always tried to carry extra coolant in my vehicles but perhaps with today’s systems it’s not necessary, kinda like changing oil every 3K miles? At least we can also drink the distilled water in a pinch!
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #12 – January 30, 2021, 05:41:55 pm Quote from: HiLola - January 29, 2021, 08:57:05 amFantastic research, Mark! My incomplete chassis was built in Sept. 2016, so after the spec change. I had already purchased a gallon of the Xerox 50/50 product Larry mentioned in his post so now I’m wondering if it meets the new spec. Another rookie mistake on my part?Sorry about advising to use the wrong coolant, very early 2017s used the gold coolant, my references didn't show the split year.Assuming you bought a gallon of the Zerex G-05, if you can't return it, I will buy it from you at the Morro Bay GTG.Both the gold and orange are good coolants but can never be mixed. Larry
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #13 – January 30, 2021, 06:03:45 pm Quote from: Larry W - January 30, 2021, 05:41:55 pmSorry about advising to use the wrong coolant, very early 2017s used the gold coolant, my references didn't show the split year.Assuming you bought a gallon of the Zerex G-05, if you can't return it, I will buy it from you at the Morro Bay GTG.Both the gold and orange are good coolants but can never be mixed. An honest mistake, Larry, thanks! As it turns out, I was able to cancel that item with Amazon. I think I’ll just go with Rich’s suggestion for now and carry some distilled water.
Re: Lazy Daze Coolant Reply #14 – January 30, 2021, 06:24:21 pm These test strips work well to test coolant and brake fluid:Amazon.com: Phoenix Systems 8006-B Double-Ended Coolant + Brake Fluid Test... As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
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