Coolant?

[firebuild]

Hey there, Is there anything I should know about coolant for my 1991 7.3L IDI? I was expecting it to have some kind of special needs but the good old folks down at AutoZone are telling me it’s just regular green coolant. Is this right?

[o1marc]

If what was in there is green, put more green in.

[peteg59]

x2...^...Check to see what you have in, and keep it the same.
Unless you want a different colored A/F in your bus?

[Booyah45828]

They're correct in that you should use regular green. What they didn't mention is that you should get a few test strips and check for the correct levels for glycol, acidity, and sca levels in the antifreeze. Then you can add additive as required to keep it at an acceptable level.

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by Booyah45828

They're correct in that you should use regular green. What they didn't mention is that you should get a few test strips and check for the correct levels for glycol, acidity, and sca levels in the antifreeze. Then you can add additive as required to keep it at an acceptable level.

Okkkk.... How do I know what the levels are supposed to be??

[Johnny Mullet]

50/50 mix of conventional green is all you need.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by firebuild

Okkkk.... How do I know what the levels are supposed to be??

The strips will tell you what temp your are good to, the PH level and the alkalinity of the mixture.


https://www.google.com/search?q=ISB+...hrome&ie=UTF-8

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by o1marc

The strips will tell you what temp your are good to, the PH level and the alkalinity of the mixture.


https://www.google.com/search?q=ISB+...hrome&ie=UTF-8

And don't buy the 50/50 antifreeze, it costs the same as full strength and it's half water.

[peteg59]

A cheapo prestone squeeze bulb tester is good if strips are unavailable.
The cooling system if stock, holds quite a bit of coolant so a drain and refill could get expensive...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/AF-1420-A...0df199b34d908b

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mullet

50/50 mix of conventional green is all you need.

Okey dokey thanks all

[peteg59]

More important question: Are you "losing" coolant from your system, Mary?

[Rogue1bus]

I think you need pink or purple with sca, mine is a 2002 international with 7.3 and that’s what it takes.

I’d look what it is now (color) and maybe call the dealership and or where the bus came from to match it. I’m trying to remember how I figured out what coolant I needed...

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by peteg59

More important question: Are you "losing" coolant from your system, Mary?

Yes, I have a leak for sure, though it's slow. I can't find it and no mechanic near me can take a look for a couple of weeks, so I have to bandaid the situation by making sure I'm topped off in the meantime.

[firebuild]

Originally Posted by Rogue1bus

I think you need pink or purple with sca, mine is a 2002 international with 7.3 and that’s what it takes.

I’d look what it is now (color) and maybe call the dealership and or where the bus came from to match it. I’m trying to remember how I figured out what coolant I needed...

What's in there now looks green but it has a lot of rust in it. I'm thinking I need a radiator.

2002 7.3L would be Powerstroke, wouldn't it? Mine is IDI.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by peteg59

A cheapo prestone squeeze bulb tester is good if strips are unavailable.
The cooling system if stock, holds quite a bit of coolant so a drain and refill could get expensive...

https://www.walmart.com/ip/AF-1420-A...0df199b34d908b

How do you read SCA levels with a specific gravity tester?

I'll stick with the strips.......

[Booyah45828]

Test strips should have instructions with them. If not a google search will reveal the procedures for usage. It's pretty straightforward though, dip the strip, wait for it to react, compare your color results to those on the package. Adjust if necessary with the right additive and then drive the bus for a bit and recheck.

[Booyah45828]

Originally Posted by Rogue1bus

I think you need pink or purple with sca, mine is a 2002 international with 7.3 and that’s what it takes.

I’d look what it is now (color) and maybe call the dealership and or where the bus came from to match it. I’m trying to remember how I figured out what coolant I needed...

Use regular green in an idi. If it doesn't have that in it put it in it. The use of modern coolants in an old engine isn't necessary and I've seen too many horror stories of the usage of modern coolant reacting badly in old engines.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by B Iooyah45828

Test strips should have instructions with them. If not a google search will reveal the procedures for usage. It's pretty straightforward though, dip the strip, wait for it to react, compare your color results to those on the package. Adjust if necessary with the right additive and then drive the bus for a bit and recheck.

Peteg59 was suggesting the use of the Prestone SG tester to replace test strips.

I know how to use the test strips. I was asking how toy could manage the same with an SG tester...

I'll stick with test strips.

[Booyah45828]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

Peteg59 was suggesting the use of the Prestone SG tester to replace test strips.

I know how to use the test strips. I was asking how toy could manage the same with an SG tester...

I'll stick with test strips.

I was replying to firebuild in post #5, where she asked how to use them and what the levels are supposed to be. Nobody answered that question in a way that I thought was sufficient.

My test strip reply wasn't for you, it just happened to follow your post. In no way was I insinuating that you didn't know how to use test strips.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by firebuild

Okey dokey thanks all

REmember to ONLY use distilled water in your cooling system. Tap water is bad, its got minerals and stuff.