Ok, so I know this question isn’t actually a T/H question but it isn’t a motorhome question either.I need to know of an exact equivalent to the Motorcraft VC-3-DILB engine coolant. This is for a 2012 Ford 6.7L engine. It seems that few (if any manufactures) list specs on the back of their containers anymore. Most just show For: GMC, Chrysler, Toyota, or Honda etc. None show them for Ford or their coolant specs.To further the problem it appears Ford changes their specs every couple of years and that appears to be based on the never ending engine and engine supplier changes.I also want to be able to purchase coolant (if needed) after hours and every day of the week and not have to wait for Ford Parts departments to open.Thank you for your help and insights. Hap

This should be in the Tow Vehicles forum. I could not find antifreeze at any auto parts store that exactly matched what is specified in my 2012 6.7 manual. Parts store employee said one of his brands SHOULD be fine. I was not willing to go with that. Ford dealer only place I could find.

Hap I'm going to move this to the Tow Vehicles forum, hopefully you get a quick reply.

You can use the Prestone Dexcool. I changed my radiator fluid a couple of months ago by flushing/draining with distill water 3 times which produced clear water draining out of the radiator. I choose to use the Motorcraft Orange coolant. Primary Radiator: 15 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~ 50/50 mix. Secondary Radiator: 6 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~50/50 mix.The Power Strokes really haven't had excessive type of radiator fluids but changes were to take advantage of new technology.7.3 PSD: Green with an additional additive6.0/6.4PSD: Gold 6.7PSD: Orange

FishOnOne wrote:You can use the Prestone Dexcool. I changed my radiator fluid a couple of months ago by flushing/draining with distill water 3 times which produced clear water draining out of the radiator. I choose to use the Motorcraft Orange coolant. Primary Radiator: 15 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~ 50/50 mix. Secondary Radiator: 6 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~50/50 mix.The Power Strokes really haven't had excessive type of radiator fluids but changes were to take advantage of new technology.7.3 PSD: Green with an additional additive6.0/6.4PSD: Gold 6.7PSD: Orange'Additional additive' for a 7.3 is DCA 4.I actually changed my 7.3 over to extended life (orange). No DCA now.

FishOnOne wrote:You can use the Prestone Dexcool. I changed my radiator fluid a couple of months ago by flushing/draining with distill water 3 times which produced clear water draining out of the radiator. I choose to use the Motorcraft Orange coolant. Primary Radiator: 15 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~ 50/50 mix. Secondary Radiator: 6 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~50/50 mix.The Power Strokes really haven't had excessive type of radiator fluids but changes were to take advantage of new technology.7.3 PSD: Green with an additional additive6.0/6.4PSD: Gold 6.7PSD: OrangeSome of the last 7.3L were gold as well. I'm not sure if they still required the FW15 additive or not.OP, I would stick with the Motorcraft coolant if I were in your shoes. You have too expensive of an engine there to go with something that "may" be OK.

Correct Coolant for 2012 Ford 6.7L Diesel | Good Sam Community

BB_TX
Nomad
Apr 24, 2018
This should be in the Tow Vehicles forum.

I could not find antifreeze at any auto parts store that exactly matched what is specified in my 2012 6.7 manual. Parts store employee said one of his brands SHOULD be fine. I was not willing to go with that. Ford dealer only place I could find.
Y-Guy
Moderator
Apr 24, 2018
Hap I'm going to move this to the Tow Vehicles forum, hopefully you get a quick reply.
FishOnOne
Nomad
Apr 25, 2018
You can use the Prestone Dexcool.

I changed my radiator fluid a couple of months ago by flushing/draining with distill water 3 times which produced clear water draining out of the radiator. I choose to use the Motorcraft Orange coolant.

Primary Radiator: 15 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~ 50/50 mix.

Secondary Radiator: 6 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~50/50 mix.

The Power Strokes really haven't had excessive type of radiator fluids but changes were to take advantage of new technology.

7.3 PSD: Green with an additional additive
6.0/6.4PSD: Gold
6.7PSD: Orange
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Apr 25, 2018
FishOnOne wrote:
You can use the Prestone Dexcool.

I changed my radiator fluid a couple of months ago by flushing/draining with distill water 3 times which produced clear water draining out of the radiator. I choose to use the Motorcraft Orange coolant.

Primary Radiator: 15 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~ 50/50 mix.

Secondary Radiator: 6 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~50/50 mix.

The Power Strokes really haven't had excessive type of radiator fluids but changes were to take advantage of new technology.

7.3 PSD: Green with an additional additive
6.0/6.4PSD: Gold
6.7PSD: Orange

'Additional additive' for a 7.3 is DCA 4.

I actually changed my 7.3 over to extended life (orange). No DCA now.
blofgren
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
FishOnOne wrote:
You can use the Prestone Dexcool.

I changed my radiator fluid a couple of months ago by flushing/draining with distill water 3 times which produced clear water draining out of the radiator. I choose to use the Motorcraft Orange coolant.

Primary Radiator: 15 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~ 50/50 mix.

Secondary Radiator: 6 quarts of coolant and top off with distilled water will give you ~50/50 mix.

The Power Strokes really haven't had excessive type of radiator fluids but changes were to take advantage of new technology.

7.3 PSD: Green with an additional additive
6.0/6.4PSD: Gold
6.7PSD: Orange

Some of the last 7.3L were gold as well. I'm not sure if they still required the FW15 additive or not.

OP, I would stick with the Motorcraft coolant if I were in your shoes. You have too expensive of an engine there to go with something that "may" be OK.
ACZL
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
I asked our semi shop super a similar question on anti-freeze cuz my truck says it requires "X" type and all we have is "Y" type. He said he wasn't going to stock 2 different kinds of anti-freeze, so if I need any, I'm to use "Y" type. His theory is antifreeze is anti freeze regardless of color. If on the road and you need some, you use whatever you can get. Not that this helps OP any.
Lynnmor
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
ACZL wrote:
I asked our semi shop super a similar question on anti-freeze cuz my truck says it requires "X" type and all we have is "Y" type. He said he wasn't going to stock 2 different kinds of anti-freeze, so if I need any, I'm to use "Y" type. His theory is antifreeze is anti freeze regardless of color. If on the road and you need some, you use whatever you can get. Not that this helps OP any.

You talked to an idiot! Never mix coolant types.

The 6.7 requires orange coolant, Ford and DexCool are the same. Look in your owners manual for the proper specifications,.
ChuckSteed
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
Yup you don’t wanna mix Dexcool and Prestone. Big mistake and the stuff will cause issues.
arhayes
Explorer
Apr 25, 2018
Another suggesting to stick with the Motocraft spec coolant. I read an engineering explanation piece a friend shared with me a couple of years ago that explained how different this coolant spec is....and how critical that it not be mixed with non spec coolants. With two cooling systems involved in the 6.7L, you definitely don't want to do anything to encourage early failure.
BB_TX
Nomad
Apr 25, 2018
arhayes wrote:
Another suggesting to stick with the Motocraft spec coolant. I read an engineering explanation piece a friend shared with me a couple of years ago that explained how different this coolant spec is....and how critical that it not be mixed with non spec coolants. With two cooling systems involved in the 6.7L, you definitely don't want to do anything to encourage early failure.

Agree. Discussions on the Ford Truck Enthusiast web site talks about some who mixed coolant types causing clotting and blocked coolant paths thru the engine and radiator.