Coolant question

bryanscle · **Coolant question**

I don't have an owner's manual yet because the dummy at the dealership takes his time. I've got a 2004 3.8 and I noticed that there's a sticker on the plastic coolant recovery container that has orange coolant and a red circle with a slash through it indicating "NO". The problem is mine has orange coolant in it, and I don't know if it's a problem.

Someone said the orange was usually the environmentally friendly stuff, but didn't know if it was regular coolant colored orange, or if it was something called Dex-Cool or something like that.

I'm confused as to what I should use and what I should do if there is a problem.

AlmostN8 · 06-07-2005, 01:51 PM

Drain the coolant, flush the system VERY well, and replace with green coolant. The orange stuff eats up your heads, intakes and radiator. Do it now.

auto6banger · 06-07-2005, 02:49 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by bryanscle I don't have an owner's manual yet because the dummy at the dealership takes his time. I've got a 2004 3.8 and I noticed that there's a sticker on the plastic coolant recovery container that has orange coolant and a red circle with a slash through it indicating "NO". The problem is mine has orange coolant in it, and I don't know if it's a problem. Someone said the orange was usually the environmentally friendly stuff, but didn't know if it was regular coolant colored orange, or if it was something called Dex-Cool or something like that. I'm confused as to what I should use and what I should do if there is a problem.

Actually you have a 3.9

Ponycarman · 06-07-2005, 03:19 PM

The propolyene glycol (orange stuff) is not environmentally friendly. It is just not quite as toxic as the ethylene glycol (green stuff). That all being said glycol of any type is clear so the coloring isn't a good indicatior of what type it is. It's all dyed anyway.

As for the Dex-cool eating stuff.

My GM had over 130K wil no issues. Like anything if you fail to maintain the cooling system things will fail. The Dex-Cool got a bad rap because it was a symptom of a poor intake gasket design. On some of the GM 60 degree V6's the intake manifold gasket would fail and allow coolant to leak into the oil. ANY type of glycol in the oil will eat the bearings. Which is exactly what happened and ignorant people blamed it on the coolant, not the intake gasket.

Steve

greenpony02 · 06-07-2005, 03:49 PM

i'm not sure if the orange coolant is bad as long as it was flushed properly. I've heard the reason they put those warnings there is because if you mix the green and orange it gels and that would be bad

**SpectorV** · 06-07-2005, 04:21 PM

just use what it has, it will be fine. The new ones have the orange stuff in em.

NorwegianMustang · 06-07-2005, 05:52 PM

Hm, I got the blue one

**Brent** · 06-07-2005, 06:44 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by auto6banger Actually you have a 3.9

Not all 2004 are 3.9

AlmostN8 · 06-08-2005, 08:51 AM


Quote: Originally Posted by Ponycarman The propolyene glycol (orange stuff) is not environmentally friendly. It is just not quite as toxic as the ethylene glycol (green stuff). That all being said glycol of any type is clear so the coloring isn't a good indicatior of what type it is. It's all dyed anyway. As for the Dex-cool eating stuff. My GM had over 130K wil no issues. Like anything if you fail to maintain the cooling system things will fail. The Dex-Cool got a bad rap because it was a symptom of a poor intake gasket design. On some of the GM 60 degree V6's the intake manifold gasket would fail and allow coolant to leak into the oil. ANY type of glycol in the oil will eat the bearings. Which is exactly what happened and ignorant people blamed it on the coolant, not the intake gasket. Steve

Which explains why certain manufacturers expressly say NOT to use it... ok.

Danger Dude · 06-08-2005, 09:16 AM


Quote: Originally Posted by AlmostN8 Which explains why certain manufacturers expressly say NOT to use it... ok.

I will have to agree with you on this one. Whether it is crappy gaskets or the coolant does not matter I would suggest following Manufactures warning simply for no other reason than to pevent damage to your engine and the dealer not fixing it because it has improper fluid in it.

Just use the green stuff and be done with it.

auto6banger · 06-08-2005, 11:57 PM


Quote: Originally Posted by Brent Not all 2004 are 3.9

dang thought they all were, my bad.

bryanscle · 06-09-2005, 06:58 AM

Okay, well I went by the Ford dealership and they said that all 2004's, Crown Vics, Stangs, etc. went over to the yellow/gold coolant and that I probably had the gold, but it looked orange so I'm flushing it anyways and putting in the yellow/gold just to be sure

Yes I have a 3.9, just thought I'd use 3.8

Thanks for the replies though

Ponycarman · 06-09-2005, 10:02 AM


Quote: Originally Posted by AlmostN8 Which explains why certain manufacturers expressly say NOT to use it... ok.

Certain manufacturers expressly state to use their parts to maintain your vehicle.

What does that mean? Nothing more than they want your money. You don't know why they state not to use it, you assume. It may be an incompatibility issue between the factory installed coolant and the dex-cool stuff for all you know, or don't. Fact is the Dex-cool in and of itself is not a problem as long as you follow the maintenance schedule period.