Is this Gold coolant or orange?

[Patrologia]

My coolant is low, has been low for a while, I’m finally getting around to doing something about it. Anyway, I looked at the coolant in the rad (not the reservoir, that’s perpetually empty) and it looked downright orange. I have a 2004 Ranger with the 3.0, which I believe is spec’d for Gold, not orange. And you can’t mix the two. I turkey basted up a small sample, because I haven’t dealt with Ford coolants much before. Can y’all tell me if this could be gold (looks between pink and orange to my eye). If it’s orange, I’d that ok or do I need to try to flush the system? I don’t know what the PO might have done with it, but he was a bit of a stoner, so I don’t put anything past him.

 

[DILLARD000]

Looks like the original factory Orange stuff to me.
Gold\Yellow is lighter in color & more translucent.
If you change to a different type, fully flush out the old stuff from the system first; best not mix.

 

[racsan]

I miss the green stuff, its rediculous having so many different coolants, just put “green” in everything, sooner or later you’ll need a water pump or a radiator and most of it will be changed anyways. Im not convinced this new crap is any better, if anything manufacturers are hoping you will mix the wrong stuff and gel up the cooling system.

 

[Patrologia]

Looks like the original factory Orange stuff to me.
Gold\Yellow is lighter in color & more translucent.
If you change to a different type, fully flush out the old stuff from the system first; best not mix.

The original should have been gold though, not orange. What has me wondering is that it looked kinda orange to me, and I don’t want to add gold to top up orange. I’m fact, if I determine that it is orange I’m going to want to fully flush the whole system and refill with Gold. I bought some Zerex G-05, which is supposed to be the same thing, and I’ll compare later tonight when I have time.

 

[ericbphoto]

If in doubt, flush it out. Then fill with whatever the owners manual tells you to use.