Antifreeze Question


AZGT

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Dec 20, 2005
1,354
Scottsdale, AZ.
Want to add a little antifreeze to the car. Looks like it uses the yellow stuff. Is there any difference between the yellow and typical green? OK to mix?

How full should they be? Should both be filled to a certain level, or just one and it balances out?
 
Stick with OEM recommended coolant. One reservoir is for engine coolant the other for intercooler coolant; two entirely separate systems. Why do you want to add coolant? Are the levels below the sight glass?
 
Stick with OEM recommended coolant. One reservoir is for engine coolant the other for intercooler coolant; two entirely separate systems. Why do you want to add coolant? Are the levels below the sight glass?

Thanks - did not even think about the seperate systems.

Not really low, just thought I would make sure they are as full as they could be. There is a lot of room between the sight glass and the lid - easy another half gallon if you could "fill it up". Tempted to go above the glass some just to add in extra.

Car still likes to run warm (but about where they seem to according to posts). Pretty easy to be in the 210 - 220 range out here, but no actual boil over problems. Would like to do other things to try to cool it ANY. Spaced out the plate, but I swear that may have made it actually run hotter. Also now have Accufab - was hoping for something signficant from that, but not really. Even have gone to turning on the A/C though I always drive with the windows down.

Probably going to try a transaxle cooler next.
 
Retune and have the tuner set the "fan on" temp to 190. Lose the cats (if possible). Install a transaxle cooler. And please do read the owners manual as relates to coolant tank levels.
 
Was just looking in the manual. It says to use "Motocraft Premium Gold VC-7-A (VC-7-B in CA and OR) or specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Also says to NOT mix other types with the yellow.
 
In Arizona, use water and water wetter. Much better coolant than antifreeze and the water wetter has additives to resist corrosion.
 
My experience with water wetter is that there is not enough corrosion protection for a long term fill. Meaning I think it is OK for awahile, but would either change it every six months or add about 20% coolant in the fill.

I say this as I have run it in various collectors cars and let it sit for a couple years. It would allow the Pot metal or Alum water outlets to corrode.

It does however work as advertised. It will also be a benefit even with some coolant added to the fill. Just not as much. I had good success with 20% coolant, water wetter and water.

The big key here is the tuning for the fans IMO. You can get a mail order tune for this from Torrie or many other sources.
 
My experience with water wetter is that there is not enough corrosion protection for a long term fill. Meaning I think it is OK for awahile, but would either change it every six months or add about 20% coolant in the fill.

I say this as I have run it in various collectors cars and let it sit for a couple years. It would allow the Pot metal or Alum water outlets to corrode.

It does however work as advertised. It will also be a benefit even with some coolant added to the fill. Just not as much. I had good success with 20% coolant, water wetter and water.

The big key here is the tuning for the fans IMO. You can get a mail order tune for this from Torrie or many other sources.

Or just keep the A/C on - it accomplishes the same thing.
 
AC vs less antifreeze + Water Wetter

20-25% antifreeze, distilled water & Water Wetter for engine coolant can lower your temps 5-10 deg! Removing the '05 front screen also helps. I also run the same stuff in the intercooler coolant system.

If you are in cold country then during the winter up the antifreeze concentration. Ford has way too much antifreeze in the coolant for anywhere!

Ed
 
Coolant update

Just received this from my "friendly Ford man". He indicated that the FMC coolant VC7A is replaced by VC7B and is good in all states, not just the two mentioned (CA and OR). He also said under NO circumstances are the gold and green to be mixed.
 
You are right, the AC will turn on the fan.

Correct me if I am off base, but as I recall, the fan comes on because the AC places more drag on the engine and to draw air through he condenser. So with NO AC on and a lower low and high speed setting you should see even lower temps. But, you are really limited by the thermostat opening temp. If you can run a cooler t-stat and start the fans sooner the temps should come in line. I have done this on my Z06 and the thing rarely sees 190 with a 170 t-stat. Someone told me once that if you just drive nice down the fwy on a fairly cool...that is the lowest temp you will get with the existing t-stat, fan programming or not.

AZGT you might want to speak with John at Accufab, he knows what you can and cannot do with the t-stat and at what temp the motor makes the most power.

The other nice thing about the tune is that you can program the intercooler pump and fan to come on earlier as well. Talk to a few that have a tune and see what they noticed. AZGT sounds like you are getting to 107deg this week, so I doubt you will be driving with the AC off any time soon. Torrie , Accufab and others have mail order basic tunes that do much more than this if you want.

Ed that is a good tip on the water wetter for the intercooler fluid.