7.3 Ford coolant additive
In a prior thread the number for the coolant additive was pf-22 from ford I found VC8 is this the same?
Forum Discussion
Another situation where it may not be a good idea to add VC8 is if you use a coolant filter that has SCA cubes inside that dissolve over time.
Most 99-01 7.3L engines are better off without the precharged time release coolant filter, because those filters can introduce too much SCA to the coolant, and the granularity of the precipitant drop out is what destroys the water pump seal, which is the leading cause of water pump leakage failure in the 7.3L.
Some people change coolant chemistries to get away from having to deal with adding VC8 initially, then monitoring periodically with test strips, then adding maintenance amounts of VC8 per the results of the test strips. However, to change coolant chemistries requires completely draining and flushing the entire coolant system, which isn't easy.
Even after pulling the plugs on both sides of the engine block, including the difficult to access plug above the starter, there can still be almost a gallon of coolant (or diluted flush water) remaining in the system. How much of that gallon is in the water jacket below the plugs, in the oil cooler, in the inherent p trap passages of the heater core, or combination thereof, is anyone's guess.
Most 99-01 7.3L engines are better off without the precharged time release coolant filter, because those filters can introduce too much SCA to the coolant, and the granularity of the precipitant drop out is what destroys the water pump seal, which is the leading cause of water pump leakage failure in the 7.3L.
Some people change coolant chemistries to get away from having to deal with adding VC8 initially, then monitoring periodically with test strips, then adding maintenance amounts of VC8 per the results of the test strips. However, to change coolant chemistries requires completely draining and flushing the entire coolant system, which isn't easy.
Even after pulling the plugs on both sides of the engine block, including the difficult to access plug above the starter, there can still be almost a gallon of coolant (or diluted flush water) remaining in the system. How much of that gallon is in the water jacket below the plugs, in the oil cooler, in the inherent p trap passages of the heater core, or combination thereof, is anyone's guess.
