Engine coolant question
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
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Engine coolant question
Hey everyone,
First post on here and seeking some help with my truck. Been a huge fan of this website since I received my truck a few months ago. Truck is a 2004 F150 4.6. Most of the truck is stock.
My brother in law was the previous owner. Did all of his own maintenance, etc. Took great care of the truck. When I received the truck, I opted to do the PM myself. Oil change, fluid top off, etc.
My question is about the coolant. I'm unsure what he had in it before. I assume he took it to the dealership for oil changes. Unfortunately, in a moment of haste, I used the Advanced auto parts generic stuff. Didn't realize the importance of doing more research for engine coolant. Of course I did more research when changing oil, adding power steering fluid etc.
It appeared that it was getting low again... not much, but with my vehicles I prefer to keep mine topped off. It was below the minimum line. I did some research and purchased the Verex G-05 50/50. Is this going to be a problem that I mixed the two? I noticed the Verex had a weaker dye compared to the advanced auto parts. The fluid doesn't appear to have "gunked up", but I'm unsure of the color. Maybe it's because the tint of the plastic that its stored in under the hood. At the moment, I don't have the oppurtunity to do a flush. Can anyone help me with this? Make me feel a little bit easier about mixing the two? Thanks for your help. I can always take a picture if needed. Thanks everyone!
First post on here and seeking some help with my truck. Been a huge fan of this website since I received my truck a few months ago. Truck is a 2004 F150 4.6. Most of the truck is stock.
My brother in law was the previous owner. Did all of his own maintenance, etc. Took great care of the truck. When I received the truck, I opted to do the PM myself. Oil change, fluid top off, etc.
My question is about the coolant. I'm unsure what he had in it before. I assume he took it to the dealership for oil changes. Unfortunately, in a moment of haste, I used the Advanced auto parts generic stuff. Didn't realize the importance of doing more research for engine coolant. Of course I did more research when changing oil, adding power steering fluid etc.
It appeared that it was getting low again... not much, but with my vehicles I prefer to keep mine topped off. It was below the minimum line. I did some research and purchased the Verex G-05 50/50. Is this going to be a problem that I mixed the two? I noticed the Verex had a weaker dye compared to the advanced auto parts. The fluid doesn't appear to have "gunked up", but I'm unsure of the color. Maybe it's because the tint of the plastic that its stored in under the hood. At the moment, I don't have the oppurtunity to do a flush. Can anyone help me with this? Make me feel a little bit easier about mixing the two? Thanks for your help. I can always take a picture if needed. Thanks everyone!
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,683
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The universal is probably not a G05. If it has 2-Ethyl Hexanoate and Sodium Neodeconate use it in Dexcool apps. If it has Sodium Silacate, use it where green stuff is used. Either way it's not the same silicate type of the G05. The Zerex is the stuff you should use and I'd flush the system anyways just for cheap insurance.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 23
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Otto,
Thanks for the reply. By looking at the picture of the coolant, does the color appear to be correct?
I figured most people would recommend the flush. Unfortunately, my time has been eaten up lately with multiple jobs. What is the cost to have this done at a local shop if I requested it? And from the differences you mentioned, and though you recommended a flush, do you suspect not flushing it would really do any real damage?
Thanks for the reply. By looking at the picture of the coolant, does the color appear to be correct?
I figured most people would recommend the flush. Unfortunately, my time has been eaten up lately with multiple jobs. What is the cost to have this done at a local shop if I requested it? And from the differences you mentioned, and though you recommended a flush, do you suspect not flushing it would really do any real damage?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 171
There "probably" won't be any damage. I'm sure people have done far worse and gotten by just fine. At the worst maybe a little less corrosion protection in the long run and maybe some gelling but that's doubtful.
To me it looks a little dark, G05 should be very light colored, but that could also just be the picture.
Shops will probably vary on the price. If you brought them the coolant they shouldn't charge more than an hour's worth of labor to do it. I'd bring them the coolant to use to make sure it is done right if it's not the dealer.
To me it looks a little dark, G05 should be very light colored, but that could also just be the picture.
Shops will probably vary on the price. If you brought them the coolant they shouldn't charge more than an hour's worth of labor to do it. I'd bring them the coolant to use to make sure it is done right if it's not the dealer.