I have an appointment in a few weeks at my favorite local shop (not dealer) for a coolant flush. This will be the first time for my 2017, and will be changing from orange to yellow. I'm also having them change the thermostat to the new design. My question is this: should I add some coolant flush and put some miles on the truck before dropping it off? I see Motorcraft makes a flush...or are there other, better ones? Just want to make sure all the crusty stuff is loose before they do this work. I do not know their process or how many times they will flush it, before refilling, but I'm hoping they don't just extract the orange and refill with yellow.

Any suggestions? Or is it not worth introducing something different into the system...

Thanks!

 

some of these sound like questions you should be asking the shop - ie what exactly is their process. A flush machine they may be running a flush through it before cycling it out with fresh coolant. If thats the case you dont need to mess with anything else before hand

make absolutely sure they use a ford/motor craft thermostat.

 

Good advice...I will ask them. Should have done that first

I ordered and received the thermostat already, and I'll be handing it to them. I got the right one.

 

i would either be 100% sure they are flushing, and THEN changing the thermo or I would have them flush and then id change the thermo myself.

 

That's a good idea if you're using an independent shop. I've always made a habit of installing a new thermostat with new coolant, and it's important to get the right one with these trucks.

 

See if you walked into an independent shop and handed them parts... you would be paying an increased hourly rate.
You have options for the thermostat... there is a 180 degree version from motorcraft... 170 degree from Reische...

 

This is an independent shop, and they aren't charging me a different rate because I'm bringing in my own thermostat. I know them well...they are great to deal with and that's why I keep going back.

I am having them install the Motorcraft HL3Z-8575-B.