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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 Coolant Nitrite Strength Check?

Other than from a Ford dealer, where can I purchase OEM Coolant Nitrite Strength Check kits?

Lakeside
Tow Vehicles

43 Replies

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  • lenr's avatar
    lenr
    Explorer III
    Dec 12, 2013
    Even the venerable Ford 7.3 recommended nitrate tests. Ford changed coolants for 2011; the tests and the treatments are all different. Using the wrong treatments will require a flush.

    Painted Horse on Diesel Stop says it well:
    Your coolant has a 105,000 mile life expectancy. You can add the coolant additive twice during that life. If you divide that out, Its about 35,000 and 70,000 miles. Chances are with this 1st message, your coolant will be fine and the computer is just the routine reminders. ( Every 13,000-15,000 miles)

    The 1st test is for Nitrates. Our engines use an OAT (Organic Acid Technolgy) based coolant. There should never be any Nitrates. Past Powerstroke engines used a Nitrate based antifreeze. So this test is basically to make sure that nobody has added any of the old style antifreeze or additives to your coolant. It uses the same test strips the old engines used, Except you look for ZERO instead of a positive amount of nitrates. If you find ANY Nitrates, You flush and refill the coolant system.

    The 2nd test is for freeze protection. I think it reads about -50°. If you don't have sufficient protection for your area of the country, You increase the antifreeze ratio. Again make sure you add a OAT antifreeze. This again is on the same test strip as previous antifreeze test strips.

    The 3rd test is for Contamination. This is a little bit more of a test. Take the sample, drop a tablet in and disolve it, test with special test strip. This is all new for the 6.7L and any engine using the new OAT based antifreeze. If you fail this test, You can add a rejuvinator or additive. (VC-12) Do not confuse this additive with the older additive used on Nitrate based coolants. You can add this additive twice during the coolants life.

    You have two cooling systems on your truck, The coolant does not intermix between the two. Hence the need to test both systems, You can have one coolant fail and the other be just fine. You may need to add the additive to both tanks or just one. If you need to add to both tanks, You will need more than 1 bottle.
  • ForestGump's avatar
    ForestGump
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2013
    gmcsmoke wrote:
    coolant.....nitrite....test?

    is this because of dex-cool, or fords equivalent? are fords that fragile coolant tests are needed every so many miles?

    who in there right mind would buy one of these trucks?


    Hummmm another troll!
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2013
    Huntindog wrote:
    720Deere wrote:
    I can see how Huntindog got his screen name because he is definitely a dog on the hunt for something that just isn't there. I mean it is one thing to make an uneducated statement, but to keep jumping to conclusions with little to no evidence takes it to an entirely different level.
    I said up front that it was a theory.
    There HAS to be a reason that Ford believes that their coolant needs much more attention than the others. And the Ford radiator problems are well enough known that "credibility" is only a issue for the boys in blue.
    Believe what you want.. While you all are busy testing your coolant... I'm gonna grab a beer.
    :B
  • ricatic's avatar
    ricatic
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2013
    We may be witnessing a battle here for the ownership of the "Big Blue Ford Drum". The "dog" may wear his GM on his sleeve right now but the Blue Koolaid Boy's should not be throwing stones at glass houses...

    Regards
  • 720Deere's avatar
    720Deere
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2013
    I can see how Huntindog got his screen name because he is definitely a dog on the hunt for something that just isn't there. I mean it is one thing to make an uneducated statement, but to keep jumping to conclusions with little to no evidence takes it to an entirely different level.
  • FishOnOne's avatar
    FishOnOne
    Nomad
    Dec 12, 2013
    720Deere wrote:
    Where do you guys come up with this foolishness that testing the coolant has anything to do with the radiator failures? It is all about nitrites which can affect head gaskets and many other internal parts but it has nothing to do with the plastic radiator tank failure.

    You Dmax guys may want to read up a little before you crow too much. Our fleet of Dmax powered pickups has experienced quite a few head gasket issues and the general consensus has been that the coolant was not properly maintained. All modern diesel engines are sensitive to nitrite formation in the coolant and vulnerable to subsequent problems. It is far less of an issue with the Cummins, but they are not immune.


    Bingo... and I'm glad you reported this after Huntindog chimed in. :W

    At this point going forwards Huntindog's pattern here is all "Smoke and Mirror's" and all credibility is out the back door. :S
  • RAS43's avatar
    RAS43
    Explorer III
    Dec 12, 2013
    rhagfo wrote:
    Ford and Dmax, cylinder walls are a pressed in sleeve, they need special additives to prevent cavitation (erosion) of the cylinder walls.


    Others can comment about the Dmax but I can say that the older Ford blocks do not have sleeves. (7.3, 6.4, 6.0) You are correct about cavitation in diesel engines, it can happen in any diesel if conditions are right. The 7.3l Powerstroke had some issues and checking for nitrites/nitrates was part of the maintenance schedule even though it doesn't have sleeves.
  • Huntindog's avatar
    Huntindog
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2013
    720Deere wrote:
    Where do you guys come up with this foolishness that testing the coolant has anything to do with the radiator failures? It is all about nitrites which can affect head gaskets and many other internal parts but it has nothing to do with the plastic radiator tank failure.

    You Dmax guys may want to read up a little before you crow too much. Our fleet of Dmax powered pickups has experienced quite a few head gasket issues and the general consensus has been that the coolant was not properly maintained. All modern diesel engines are sensitive to nitrite formation in the coolant and vulnerable to subsequent problems. It is far less of an issue with the Cummins, but they are not immune.
    Nothing to go on other than the facts that at about the same time Ford started having radiator problems, they also started having the coolant issues.. Makes no sense to me as the Ford radiator is a common design that all of them use.

    The common factor is the coolant. And since Ford is very specific on stringent maintainence/testing for their coolant... It seems that Ford is thinking along the same lines.
  • 720Deere's avatar
    720Deere
    Explorer
    Dec 12, 2013
    Where do you guys come up with this foolishness that testing the coolant has anything to do with the radiator failures? It is all about nitrites which can affect head gaskets and many other internal parts but it has nothing to do with the plastic radiator tank failure.

    You Dmax guys may want to read up a little before you crow too much. Our fleet of Dmax powered pickups has experienced quite a few head gasket issues and the general consensus has been that the coolant was not properly maintained. All modern diesel engines are sensitive to nitrite formation in the coolant and vulnerable to subsequent problems. It is far less of an issue with the Cummins, but they are not immune.

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