Change coolant?

rauder775

rauder775

Junior Member
Wondering what you guys think. My '03 has only 53k miles on it and I still have the original "orange" type coolant in it. I realize it degrades after a while but wondering if it is really worth changing? Manual says good 'til 100,000 & ten years if memory serves...just not used to leaving it in there that long.

Thoughts?
 
rauder775 said:
Wondering what you guys think. My '03 has only 53k miles on it and I still have the original "orange" type coolant in it. I realize it degrades after a while but wondering if it is really worth changing? Manual says good 'til 100,000 & ten years if memory serves...just not used to leaving it in there that long.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

My '04 has 39k and I have not once given any thought to changing it at this point.

My take on it is simple, as long as it has the same appearance/color, you should be okey-dokey.

;)

Mike.
 
rauder775 said:
Wondering what you guys think. My '03 has only 53k miles on it and I still have the original "orange" type coolant in it. I realize it degrades after a while but wondering if it is really worth changing? Manual says good 'til 100,000 & ten years if memory serves...just not used to leaving it in there that long.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

since the color of the coolant should be yellow, i think you're due for a flush.
 
Coolant Change?

Refer to your scheduled maintenance guide page 24. Change every 5 years or 100K
miles whichever comes first.
 
Mine has 63K and will be changed soon, along with the rear axle lube, power steering, transmission and brake fluids.

My 100K mile spark plugs had rusty threads and were misfiring. IMHO 7-9 years is more than long enough for ALL the fluids in the car to need changing.
 
rauder775 said:
Wondering what you guys think. My '03 has only 53k miles on it and I still have the original "orange" type coolant in it. I realize it degrades after a while but wondering if it is really worth changing? Manual says good 'til 100,000 & ten years if memory serves...just not used to leaving it in there that long.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I believe the coolant should be changed at the very least every 5-years. However the real test is having the P-H level tested That will tell you if the coolant is still effective. I just changed mine in my 04 with 41000 miles
 
Wife's '03 still has the original antifreeze in it. It came with the yellow stuff and has over 170k on it.

I have neard of no problems due to antifreeze not being changed but on the other hand I've heard of numerous cars overheating, some even experiencing engine failure, due to air pockets and improper "burping" after messing with the cooling system.
 
FordNut said:
I have neard of no problems due to antifreeze not being changed but on the other hand I've heard of numerous cars overheating, some even experiencing engine failure, due to air pockets and improper "burping" after messing with the cooling system.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the replies. The above is kind of what I'm concerned about. My inclination is to change it, given the age of it, but hate to "open" any other potential issues as I've read quite a bit here about the burping and overheating issues neither of which I've had. I'm going to inspect it further, try the PH strips and then make a call. I'm leaning towards changing it, which will be me doing it. Thanks
 
FordNut said:
Wife's '03 still has the original antifreeze in it. It came with the yellow stuff and has over 170k on it.

I have neard of no problems due to antifreeze not being changed but on the other hand I've heard of numerous cars overheating, some even experiencing engine failure, due to air pockets and improper "burping" after messing with the cooling system.
Click to expand...


The DOHC does have an unusual filling procedure, but as long as you follow it properly there will be no problems!!

As for old coolant... My 2001 had the original coolant, got the car at 98K and at about 130K about a year and half later I finally noticed how nasty the coolant looked. Well when I flushed it out you should have seen how much crud came out. Even after fully flushing the coolant was dirty looking after filling again.

The Water pump started leaking a few months later, the pump was actually good but all the crud in the system made the O ring leak. Had to flush is out again after swapping the intake at 190K and it was finally clean as a whistle after refilling.

The crud can also cause head gasket, or intake gasket leaks
 
I just had all my fluids flushed and the coolant done for the first time at 100K....no problems before or after.
 
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