Coolant change. Which color?

[1995E]

So I'm wondering about coolant since I'll be hitting my 5 year mark this winter so I might as well change it over the summer. What kind of coolant do I need? I know there are orange ones and then there are green ones, but which coolant do I actually use? and is there a difference between any of them?

 

[Sinister-CO]

I would probably just stick to whatever Ford recommends, unless you have a reason to change.

 

[swshawaii]

G = Green-colored engine coolant meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (Motorcraft® Premium Antifreeze/Coolant)

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubricants.com/main/quickref/scucen.pdf

 

[Miami-Beach]

I would probably just stick to whatever Ford recommends, unless you have a reason to change.

Same here..I have done that on every vehicle I owned.

 

[1995E]

So I have the 3.5L NA Explorer.

My coolant is starting to look dark and dirty. I want to change it out since it'll be 5 years that I've owned the vehicle in 4 months.

The manual recommends several different kinds of coolant: Motorcraft

Specialty Green
Engine Coolant (dark
green-colored)
•Motorcraft

Specialty Orange
Engine Coolant (US)
•Motorcraft

Specialty Orange
Engine Coolant
(Canada)1
•

What's the difference between the special green and the specialty orange?

I know the Ecoboost vehicles my family owns all use a pinkish/ orange coolant. What's the advantage of that coolant over the regular?

Also, is it safe to do a coolant flush? The instructions on my prestone coolant flush says I need to empty out the coolant and put in water and then put in the flush. I'm not sure if that would be safe though. Any thoughts?

Also, what type of coolant should I be using for my 2.0L and 3.5L Ecoboost engines or the equivalent to Motorcraft's specialty orange?

Also, any alternatives to the expensive motorcraft stuff? What coolant would you guys put in your 3.5L N/A Explorers?

 

[cwescapexlt4x4]

This could help as well:

● Use only when specified
» Use when Ford Specification xxxx (See vehicle/owner manual)
» Do not mix different colors or types of coolant in
your vehicle. Make sure the correct coolant
is used. Mixing of engine coolants may harm your
engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper
coolant may harm engine and cooling system
components and may void the warranty.

 

[1995E]

Darn. I have the green coolant. Seems like only the 2011 Explorers have the green coolant. What's so special about the orange stuff that they switched too? Better corrosion protection or something? I really wished all my cars used one type of coolant to simplify the process of refilling.

What if I did a complete flush and put in Ford's Orange coolant ( From what I've gotten from research anyway ). Shouldn't be a problem right? Since all these cars have the same type of cooling system.

Has anyone with the orange stuff used Dexcool instead of Ford's orange coolant? How do I know which coolants are truly compatible? I'm really not trying to pay 40 bucks for coolant. :/

 

[rb142]

Note that the specialty green coolant is NOT the same thing as ordinary green coolant, and they can't be mixed (nor can the specialty orange). Specialty green was only used on a limited number of vehicles, 2011-2012 I believe, so it is relatively rare. The specialty orange is much more common. These new cooling systems are pretty sensitive to the type of coolant. Only the real spec coolant, or something that matches that exact spec (not universal coolant) should be used. Specialty orange and green are similar, and it is likely that flushing one out and replacing with the other would work (just don't mix them). But I don't think you will ever get Ford to tell you that, and it will void any warranty you have left if there is a problem.

Also note that these newer systems are difficult to get air out of unless you have a vacuum fill tool.

And Dexcool shouldn't be anywhere except the trash can.

 

[Captain Ron]

hi everyone,

I have a question about engine coolant for a 2012 Explorer Ltd 3.5

I live in Honduras and am having zero luck finding orange coolant. This is what is in the car, and reading up I am surprised to see the various colors, etc.

I know green coolant is NOT compatible, but is red compatible?
Any other thoughts on compatibility with the orange coolant?

I hate to have to oreder it from the USA...thanks and I'm looking forward to your answers.

 

[CajunHO]

Which type of coolant does ford say to use? Theirs I'm sure.
Looking at autopart store the other day I saw several different types, colors, for foreign, domestic. I didn't realize there are so many different ones today. Thought only green and orange.

 

[Explorer75]

Explorer75, you mentioned the coolant. Which type does ford say to use? Theirs I'm sure.
Looking at autopart store the other day I saw several different types, colors, for foreign, domestic. I didn't realize there are so many different ones today. Thought only green and orange.

You should use orange, I use the Motorcraft Orange Concentrate and mix it with distilled water, 50/50 mix. I strongly suggest you use Motorcraft also.

 

[peterk9]

Explorer75, you mentioned the coolant. Which type does ford say to use? Theirs I'm sure.
Looking at autopart store the other day I saw several different types, colors, for foreign, domestic. I didn't realize there are so many different ones today. Thought only green and orange.

It's in the Manual.

Peter

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

You should use orange, I use the Motorcraft Orange Concentrate and mix it with distilled water, 50/50 mix. I strongly suggest you use Motorcraft also.

Depends on the year.

 

[Explorer75]

Depends on the year.

He has a 2014, is the same as my 2013.

 

[Explorer75]

Depends on the year.

I did some research 2011 models require the Green, 2012 the manual say can take both Green or Orange, I think it depends on the one filled from factory because you shouldn´t mix coolant colors, they could form a gel and clog the system. 2013 and newer take only Orange.
Always follow your manual but also verify what you got from factory. Green could turn very dark from age but Orange can turn pinkish, very different.

Moderator, I know this conversation has changed subjects, let me know if it´s better to open another thread on this matter.

 

[peterk9]

..............................................

Moderator, I know this conversation has changed subjects, let me know if it´s better to open another thread on this matter.

No need to start a new thread as there already is one and the posts have been moved here. The 'Search' feature is a handy one.

Peter

 

[Explorer75]

No need to start a new thread as there already is one and the posts have been moved here. The 'Search' feature is a handy one.

Peter

JAJA I didn´t notice, I didn´t use the search because I´m just responding to the thread.

 

[WallaceMI]

Hi,

I picked up yesterday my 2017 Ford Explorer 2.3L from the dealer after an oil change and coolant flush.
My Explorer came from the factory with the orange coolant and I ran it for ~60k miles.

The invoice from the dealer says SFW Coolant Flush - Green Coolant.

Today I wanted to check the coolant level myself and noticed it was a bit low and that the coolant was still orange'ish cooling with some yellow spots in it. I also used one of these pH strips and it says pH ~7 and the freeze boil/point was at ~60%. They definitely changed the coolant since my pH was prior to that at 5 when I dropped of my car off.

My question:
1. What coolant color are Ford dealers currently using?
2. Even after a flush can there by red residues?
3. Did the dealer do a poor job on the flush and should the reservoir rather be full green and pH closer to 9-11?

Thanks.

 

[WallaceMI]

Dealer just told me that they use the yellow coolant now but my coolant reservoir looks currently more like a mix out or orange and some yellow coolant.

 

[WallaceMI]

Here some pictures of the current state (should this not look follow Yellow after a dealer coolant flush?):