Ford E450 6.8L Coolant

  We have the 2018 E450 Ford chassis on our 2019 3100. We bought it gently used in 2020 and only oil and air filter changes so far. But coolant looks low now.
  1. Is there a "correct" color for radiator coolant fluid? I am reading online about yellow versus green etc. Mine looks pinkish. Maybe I do not have Ford coolant in there?
  2. Ford manual with vehicle says coolant level should be between Min and Max. My coolant tank only has a "Fill" indicator above the tank seam. Right now coolant level is about 2 inches below that "Fill". As soon as I can get a longer tube on my Coolant Tester I will check the coolant. Sunds like I need to add a little?

Thanks

Mike,

  A belated Thank You for the good info. We have 27,000 miles and my coolant is reddish now. The exact coolant you specified is hard to find now; I think it has been replaced by the yellow. Given all that, we are headed to Fort Wayne Indiana in a couple weeks to stay for a month to visit family so I might invest in a coolant change there if I get a good referral to a dealer. At home we are kind of up in the mountains and 50 miles away from the only local Ford dealer.

  We always tow our 2012 CRV so the "Special Operating Conditions" maintenance schedule says I was supposed to change rear axle fluid at 22,500 and transmission fluid at 30,000. Anyone care to comment on that?

Thanks,

Hank in Custer SD where the tourists are coming already

My own research for our 2007 E350-V10, sums it up similarly....inconclusive.

I recently added THIS ANTIFREEZE to our 2007 E350-V10 chassis overflow bottle to bring it back to full-cold.

It states this on the container.
North American Vehicles
GOLD Antifreeze + Coolant
Hybrid Organic Acid Technology
For Use In Ford 2002-2010

This is copied from my 2007 E-Series owners manual.
• Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Refer to
Maintenance product specifications and capacities in this chapter.
Note: Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets or an
equivalent product meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
• Do not add/mix an orange-colored, extended life coolant such
as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, meeting Ford
specification WSS-M97B44-D, or DEX-COOL
brand with the
factory-filled coolant. Mixing Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant or any orange-colored extended life product such as
DEX-COOL
brand with your factory filled coolant can result in
degraded corrosion protection.
• A large amount of water without engine coolant may be added, in case
of emergency, to reach a vehicle service location. In this instance, the
cooling system must be drained and refilled with a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and distilled water as soon as possible. Water alone
(without engine coolant) can cause engine damage from corrosion,
overheating or freezing.
• Do not use alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants
mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze (coolant). Alcohol
and other liquids can cause engine damage from overheating or
freezing.
• Do not add extra inhibitors or additives to the coolant. These
can be harmful and compromise the corrosion protection of the engine
coolant.

I hope I did okay.

I assume 2011 and newer uses a different antifreeze.