Forum Discussion

lakeside013104's avatar
lakeside013104
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013

2011 F-350 6.7 diesel – Coolant Nitrite Check?

My Ford dealer says that the Coolant Nitrite Strength Check on my 2011 F-350 needs to be done every 15,000 miles for the sum of $100. My questions are: Can a do it your self-person perform this Co...
Tow Vehicles
Huntindog's avatar
Huntindog
Explorer
Dec 12, 2013
rhagfo wrote:
45Ricochet wrote:
campingken wrote:
Do all new diesels need this test every 15,000? What about new gas engine trucks? The radiator fluid in our 2003 Dodge needs to be changed every 100,000 miles.

I don't think so, gas not sure and yes 100k miles or 5 years is Cummins PM rate.
"Why the big difference?" Google Ford radiators. They've had a few problems to put it lightly. That is exactly why I stated to have it documented by Ford dealer.


The Cummins have always been easy with coolant, the reason is the block is solid one piece cast iron. Ford and Dmax use separate cylinder liners. You can have issues with cavitation, which is when small bubbles form on the liners and erode them.
This is a absolute falsehood in regards to the Dmax. It has NO coolant teating requirements an NO coolant testing messages on the DIC.

Ford as far as I know is the only one to have this issue.
Fords coolant and radiator problems seemed to start with the 6.0. They had problems that the other two did not. It is now universally accepted that the 6.0s need a coolant filter. The others do not. Coolant testing is SO important on the Fords that a message will show on the DIC to warn the owner... Not on the other two.
Coupled with Ford's dismal success in addressing their radiator failure issue, leads me to believe that the root of the problem is the Ford coolant. Which they seem to agree on as they have changed the formulation at least once.

If I owned one, I would strongly consider a complete flush and coolant change out to a different type.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,056 PostsLatest Activity: May 04, 2014