2.3L ('02-'11) Green coolant in 03 ranger

[tatermatt90]

when i got this truck it had coolant leaks. there was no coolant in the reservoir. i topped it off with green coolant thinking that was the standard type and Ive always heard about it. now i looked in the manual and see the truck calls for motorcraft gold coolant. googling did not help with my question because there is so much confusion on coolants and opinions that differ. im about to change the upper radiator hose and who knows what coolant the original owner had in it. Lets assume they had the yellow/gold coolant in there, is it okay to top off with the conventional green coolant? both ethylene glycol mix. not the dexcool

 

[Dirtman]

I really don't like mixing coolants, you can run green antifreeze and it won't hurt BUT run all green. Since you are doing the upper radiator hose anyway I would just drain the system and refill it. Just pick one fluid and stick with it.

In all likelyhood it probably won't hurt anything if you leave the mix in there, most modern green antifreezes are fairly compatible with most other coolants. But for another $20 bucks or so in coolant its just easier to be safe than sorry.

 

[tatermatt90]

I really don't like mixing coolants, you can run green antifreeze and it won't hurt BUT run all green. Since you are doing the upper radiator hose anyway I would just drain the system and refill it. Just pick one fluid and stick with it.

In all likelyhood it probably won't hurt anything if you leave the mix in there, most modern green antifreezes are fairly compatible with most other coolants. But for another $20 bucks or so in coolant its just easier to be safe than sorry.

okay ill go ahead and drain it all. how would you drain it to make sure its all out of there

 

[Dirtman]

Just pull the radiator petcock out to drain it, flush it with a garden hose for a bit get any leftover coolant out of the block and then fill her up.

 

[tatermatt90]

what is the equivelant of motorcraft premium gold that i might find at walmart cheap

 

[Dirtman]

Valvoline Zerex g-05

 

[tatermatt90]

not available here

 

[Dirtman]

Just fill it with regular ole extended life green then. It'll work just as good it just has slightly shorter lifespan than gold. You can put whatever you want in it with the exception of dexcool. Mixing is the only issue.

 

[tatermatt90]

I emptied the coolant and then filled the coolant tank with water and let it drain. How can I be sure the coolant is out of the heater hoses

 

[adsm08]

I emptied the coolant and then filled the coolant tank with water and let it drain. How can I be sure the coolant is out of the heater hoses

Take them both off and blow through one.