Originally Posted by Frank_Ford (Post 4659761)

That sounds like a good plan. I just use the stuff that says "Use with any color coolant" (or words to than effect). and have never had problems. I really think that the most important consideration is making sure your cooling system is clean with clean coolant. In the old days, you could only buy straight anti freeze and you had to mix it with water. The stuff had rust inhibitors in it but they only lasted about a year. If you did not change it every year, your block would rust during the second year and you started having problems. If you didn't use water that was free of minerals, your radiator would clog up after a few years. Today, you have coolant that lasts for 4 or more years and the 50/50 mix has the water in it that doesn't have minerals that clog your radiator. You end up having a lot fewer problems and rarely do I see an engine overheating from dirty coolant like they did back before 1980. American know how and product improvement is the greatest. You are definitely doing the right thing with flushing your system and adding new coolant. The coolant you suggested should work fine.

Originally Posted by Frank_Ford (Post 4659761)

That sounds like a good plan. I just use the stuff that says "Use with any color coolant" (or words to than effect). and have never had problems. I really think that the most important consideration is making sure your cooling system is clean with clean coolant. In the old days, you could only buy straight anti freeze and you had to mix it with water. The stuff had rust inhibitors in it but they only lasted about a year. If you did not change it every year, your block would rust during the second year and you started having problems. If you didn't use water that was free of minerals, your radiator would clog up after a few years. Today, you have coolant that lasts for 4 or more years and the 50/50 mix has the water in it that doesn't have minerals that clog your radiator. You end up having a lot fewer problems and rarely do I see an engine overheating from dirty coolant like they did back before 1980. American know how and product improvement is the greatest. You are definitely doing the right thing with flushing your system and adding new coolant. The coolant you suggested should work fine.

Originally Posted by white89gt (Post 4661483)

If you don't want to take my advice, that's fine. The thing is guy, is if any of that other stuff remains in there you are chancing mixing incompatible coolants. Just using the "standard green ethylene glycol mix" is going to chance that if the PO used Dex Cool. Using the universal, or as Frank said "use with any color" coolant, you insure yourself that there won't be an issue.

My advice... Don't just use the standard anti-freeze. It won't mix with Dex. The universal stuff is still green and still an ethylene glycol based product. However, it is able to mix with all coolants. Both Autozone and O'Reilly have house brands of the stuff, and it's seriously only like a dollar more per bottle.

Originally Posted by Jbrew (Post 4661583)

If you have two block plugs, you can get it all out. If you have just one on the drivers, it may be more difficult. I just have the one, so I flushed the snot out of it lol. Yea I'd hate having the wrong stuff in there, IF that's the case....it use to be.

Can't mix tho, it can gel on yuh. Not sure how much of it would have to remain in order for that to occur. May be better to use the universal, - not sure what I would do. If the universal meets or exceeds previous recommendations.... If not...

Anyway, here's something for yuh. They can be a PITA burp/bleed. This is from the TSB's, -

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...4219b44130.jpg

Same thing, -

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.f15...b4a112edf2.jpg


I went to extremes with mine in the past. On one occasion, I removed the rear wheels, dropped the rear of the truck down, then lifted the front end up..high lol. Had a stubborn air pocket.

The last time I didn't need to do that. Just in case, may come in handy. :thumbsup:

Originally Posted by 3O2 (Post 4661736)

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I came here and originally asked "what coolant came from the factory in a 1998 Ford F150 XL 2WD 5.4 Triton?" Never got a straight answer. That's fine, maybe no one knows.