Antifreeze??

[BadBrad]

Four years ago my local shop replaced the water pump and the timing components at 80,000 miles (everybody here pretty much knows that routine). I'm quite sure they didn't use Ford antifreeze and vaguely recall them saying they used the equivalent from O'Reillys. Do any of you have a "sense" as to what antifreeze this probably is? Anybody now using that?

My normal maintenance routine is to drain and replace radiator volume every couple of years rather than hose out the entire system. This is a very easy maintenance solution just so long as one can use compatible or the same fluids. What's in there today is some red stuff.

 

[Texas Marauder]

What color is the coolant in the reservoir? While not definitive, color is an indicator of the coolant used. Motorcraft Orange is what was originally called for. I've heard that Motorcraft Orange and Dexcool are functionally equivalent. Peak makes an Orange coolant that is compatible with Ford and GM. Motorcraft Yellow is the current replacement for the discontinued Motorcraft Orange. Yellow can be mixed with Orange.

It's all so confusing.

 

[BadBrad]

What color is the coolant in the reservoir? While not definitive, color is an indicator of the coolant used. Motorcraft Orange is what was originally called for. I've heard that Motorcraft Orange and Dexcool are functionally equivalent. Peak makes an Orange coolant that is compatible with Ford and GM. Motorcraft Yellow is the current replacement for the discontinued Motorcraft Orange. Yellow can be mixed with Orange.

It's all so confusing.

Thanks for your reply. My assessment is that what's in there now is about this red. Same shop repaired the leaking timing cover and lower intake manifold on my '05 F-150 (those use Motorcraft Gold) and by appearance that replacement antifreeze appears exactly the same as is in the SHO. The truck is also due for an AF change and I plan to replace the radiator volume with new Motorcraft gold. I suspect the shop just uses some generic (good for anything) replacement. The truck drain is easily accessed so I can do two full swap outs pretty quickly mixing two gallons into the system with whatever residue remains. Not so easy with the SHO.

 

[Texas Marauder]

Red is probably Dexcool. Motorcraft Gold is not the same as Motorcraft Yellow or Dexcool and should not be used in your engine. Motorcraft Gold is the same as Zerex G05. Gold is correct for an 05 F-150, Orange is correct for most Ecoboost engines. The two types should not be mixed.

All my personal view, people will do what they do.

 

[Texas Marauder]

To further clarify or confuse:

 

[BadBrad]

To further clarify or confuse:

Thanks for that! My 56 year old car is much easier to maintain.