Coolant alternatives

[justins81213]

Is there a cheaper alternative to motorcraft premium gold coolant? Would like to drain and replace coolant but really don't wanna spend $100 on fluid if there is a cheaper safe alternative. Will if i need to though.

 

[sheep herder]

$100 for coolant? Does it have real gold in it?

 

[RonD]

Sure, Motorcraft Gold is a HOAT(hybrid organic acid technology) base, so it uses silicate and OAT both

You can switch to a Silicate based coolant, usually Green, without an issue as it will mix fine with any remaining HOAT coolant
Down side is that Silicate base coolant needs to be changed every 2 years instead of every 5 years

I switch any vehicle over 15 years old to Silicate coolant just because I know I will probably have a reason to drain and refill coolant within that 2 years period any ways, lol

You can NOT mix Silicate and OAT(red/pink) directly, but you can mix silicate and HOAT or OAT and HOAT, just FYI

OAT was developed for mixed metal cooling systems, and then HOAT and they both also lasts for 5 years(Lifetime as far as warranty, lol)
Silicate based still works fine with mixed metal systems you just DO need to change it after 2 years or you can get Galvanic corrosion happening between cast iron and aluminum parts of cooling system, but ONLY after the 2 years

So look at the price of Silicate based coolant then times it by 2.5
And compare it to the cost of Motorcraft Gold

Then also consider age of vehicle and probability of any needed engine work that may come up over a 5 year period

 

[justins81213]

$100 for coolant? Does it have real gold in it?

Have you seen the price the price of motorcraft coolant? So ya $100

 

[justins81213]

Sure, Motorcraft Gold is a HOAT(hybrid organic acid technology) base, so it uses silicate and OAT both

You can switch to a Silicate based coolant, usually Green, without an issue as it will mix fine with any remaining HOAT coolant
Down side is that Silicate base coolant needs to be changed every 2 years instead of every 5 years

I switch any vehicle over 15 years old to Silicate coolant just because I know I will probably have a reason to drain and refill coolant within that 2 years period any ways, lol

You can NOT mix Silicate and OAT(red/pink) directly, but you can mix silicate and HOAT or OAT and HOAT, just FYI

So I can drain and replace with any green colored?

 

[Dirtman]

Don't put the green stuff in it, its no where near as good as the gold HOAT coolant. You do not need to buy motorcraft gold either. Zerex g05 is the same as motorcraft gold and is under 20 a gallon so less than 40 bucks to fill the system.

Just checked and its 17 bucks a gallon on amazon, 19.99 from autozone.

 

[justins81213]

Do not put the green stuff in it. You do not need to buy motorcraft gold either. Zerex g05 is the same as motorcraft gold and is under 20 a gallon so less than 40 bucks to flush the system.

View attachment 38633
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how much coolant do you think I'll need if I drain the radiator and fill it back up? I looked under the specs on here an it says 14.9qts. but will I lose all the coolant if I drain radiator or just some?

 

[Dirtman]

2 gallons of coolant mixed with 2 gallons of distilled water to fill the entire system.

Btw, motorcraft gold is even only 26 bucks a gallon on amazon so not sure who told you 100 bucks.

 

[RonD]

Gold last longer but the "green stuff" is fine to use, same cooling and anti-freeze properties

 

[justins81213]

Thanks guys!

 

[Dirtman]

Gold last longer but the "green stuff" is fine to use, same cooling and anti-freeze properties

But it only cost like 6 bucks less so why would you use a 2 year coolant over a 5-7 year lol. It's actually cheaper in the long run to use gold.

 

[sheep herder]

Don't put the green stuff in it, its no where near as good as the gold HOAT coolant. You do not need to buy motorcraft gold either. Zerex g05 is the same as motorcraft gold and is under 20 a gallon so less than 40 bucks to fill the system.

Just checked and its 17 bucks a gallon on amazon, 19.99 from autozone.

View attachment 38633

Oooh, cookies!

 

[justins81213]

It's

Oooh, cookies!

17.59 through Walmart with free shipping so just gonna order 2 gallons of concentrated and buy some distilled water. Thanks!

 

[Dirtman]

It's

17.59 through Walmart with free shipping so just gonna order 2 gallons of concentrated and buy some distilled water. Thanks!

Smart plan!

 

[Dirtman]

Oooh, cookies!

I don't get it?