Check Coolant Additive

[xxchief]

Just need to check with some of you folks. When I purchased my 2014 F-250 diesel used, I did not get a diesel supplement book. I now have “check coolant additive” showing up on my instrument cluster. I have checked the level in the surge tank when cool and it is full.
Does this notice mean the coolant is low or is it meaning the antifreeze ratio is off? Any help is appreciated

[MongoBadger]

So I haven't had a vehicle with a Ford (actually international) engine since my 7.3 bus, rest in peace, but in diesel engines you need to use phosphate free coolant or put an additive in regular coolant that makes up for it. I would think this is what it's talking about, but this would require a very sophisticated checking system in your truck's diagnostic system to find out and I'm not sure if modern truck have it or not.

Either way that phosphate correction stuff is the only coolant additive that I know of. Maybe your truck has a separate reservoir for it or something?

[Caliber]

It's a time / mileage based reminder to check the protection levels of the coolant additives.
There should be information in your owners manual on how to check the levels and reset the reminder. The diesel supplement book might have this information.

[allenb12]

I have a 2012 F250 Powerstroke with 30,000 miles. Same message popped up on mine. Was at the dealer getting new tires and ask them to check. They said do not worry about it until 70,000 miles. Easy to reset using one of the options on the information center.

[xxchief]

Thanks for the replies and possible ways to fix.
Caliber, you mentioned the supplement book. I did not get one.
Allenb12, you mentioned its easy to reset. I have gone to the info section and hit "OK" but the notice keeps poping back up.
Is there a sensor somewhere that could be going out? Does the notice have anything to do with the antifreeze to water ratio that needs adjusting or should I just add some "orange" antifreeze?

[andy29847]

I'm not sure why Ford needs an additive in the coolant for the 6.7. My understanding about diesels was that the additive levels were very important for wet sleeve engines. I looked online for why. I didn't really find the why. I found this bulletin.

https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources..._Care_Tips.pdf

I also watched a youtube clip about the check coolant additive and the video said that dealers will do the check for $25 or less.

[allenb12]

I really do not remember how but, it just reset when I hit OK.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by allenb12

I really do not remember how but, it just reset when I hit OK.

May need to hold the OK a bit, I do to reset mileage & trip meters. Can't just push and release.

[skyhammer]

Coolant additives
At specific mileage intervals of 15,000 miles (24,000 km), as listed in the
scheduled maintenance information chapter, the coolant additive
should be checked. The optional message center, if equipped, will also
display the message CHECK COOLANT ADDITIVE at this time. The
purpose of checking is to verify the correct concentration (freeze point
protection) and additive strength (corrosion inhibitor) levels of the
coolant for maximum engine performance and protection. Three
products are available for ensuring the life and health of the coolant: two
test kits and a coolant inhibitor additive:
• Rotunda 328-00007 (Matthew’s Water CoolCheck) – Evaluates water
quality (hardness, chloride, and pH) for 50/50 mixture of coolant and
Maintenance and Specifications
49
2011 Diesel (eco)
Supplement, 5th Printing
USA (fus)
distilled water. Use distilled water. If distilled water is unavailable,
water meeting the requirements of Rotunda 328-00007, is sufficient
for vehicle use. Using water that fails to meet the requirements can
lead to coolant passage scaling and degrade the engine’s durability and
performance.
• Rotunda 328-00008 (Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination Kit) –
Evaluates the coolant concentration (freeze point protection) and
additive strength (corrosion inhibitor) for overall coolant health. Note
that the first step is to verify that the vehicle’s coolant concentration
is in the window of 40 – 60%. If the concentration falls outside of that
window, the evaluation of the corrosion inhibitor strength will not be
valid. If the report results in a pass the cooling system does not show
excessive contamination. No action is required. If the report results as
insufficient, the corrosion inhibitor (additive) strength of the coolant
is too low. Add entire contents of one bottle of Motorcraft Specialty
Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer to the coolant reservoir. The
coolant can be recharged with this additive up to two times before the
coolant must be changed-out. When exchanging the full coolant
volume, the system must be flushed and refilled with distilled water
and coolant concentrate (Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant).
• Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer – Additive to
boost the corrosion inhibitor level based upon the test results of the
Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination Kit. The revitalizer may be
added two times over the life of the coolant. If additional dosages are
required, the cooling system must be flushed and refilled with distilled
water and coolant concentrate (Motorcraft Specialty Orange
Coolant).
Refer to Maintenance product specifications and capacities in this
chapter for the proper coolant and additive specifications.
Coolant change
At specific mileage intervals, as listed in the scheduled maintenance
information, the coolant should be changed. The optional message
center, if equipped, will also display the message COOLANT CHANGE

[Cat]

Liner or cylinder cavitation can occur on engines with a cast in cylinder liner.
It really comes down to how violently the bore of the engine vibrates when that cylinder fires. The explosion/firing of the cylinder causes the cylinder to "ring" that's what creates micro voids and when they collapse against metal it eats it away- cavitation. It's more common on replaceable liner engine but not limited to them. Higher horsepower bigger explosion. So the Ford diesel requires SCA supplemental cooling additives. The SCAs cover the metal and when the micro voids are created they eat the SCA off the metal which protects the metal, but it uses up the SCA.. So you have to test them, other wise it eats your block up.

[egwilly]

Instead of going thru all the testing, I just drained off 2 gallons from the main radiator and one gallon from the secondary, then refilled them with Motorcraft antifreeze rated for the 6.7 power stroke. Important to use the correct coolant.

Told dealer about this one time when I was in for another issue, they said wait until 75,000 miles and just drain and refill both. He told me one all of the trucks they have tested the coolant, none needed the supplement until much later in the mileage.

Mine had 30,000 on it when I did the partial drain. I used the pre-mix.

[Edd505]

Originally Posted by egwilly

Instead of going thru all the testing, I just drained off 2 gallons from the main radiator and one gallon from the secondary, then refilled them with Motorcraft antifreeze rated for the 6.7 power stroke. Important to use the correct coolant.

Told dealer about this one time when I was in for another issue, they said wait until 75,000 miles and just drain and refill both. He told me one all of the trucks they have tested the coolant, none needed the supplement until much later in the mileage.

Mine had 30,000 on it when I did the partial drain. I used the pre-mix.

Pretty tough test. Remove cap, dip test strip. Reset message center. https://www.ebay.com/i/291622217468?chn=ps