Concern about my coolant

[catbus16]

Hi all,

My bronco is reaching 50K. When I check the coolant it is sitting at a low level, but before I add more I wonder if this is a normal color of it?
Just in case it needs a flush/change, is it under warranty?
Thank you!
Edit: Could it be a symptom of something is wrong with the engine?

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[MileHighCitizen]

I would…mine looks like this at 15k miles

 

[catbus16]

I would…mine looks like this at 15k miles

yep yours does look much saturated in color. Do you know if changing coolant is under the warranty?

 

[MileHighCitizen]

yep yours does look much saturated in color. Do you know if changing coolant is under the warranty?

Don't think so, but you're at 50k so you're over the 3yr/36k period either way.

 

[catbus16]

Don't think so, but you're at 50k so you're over the 3yr/36k period either way.

Oh right, I thought it’s 5yr/60k one but that is for powertrain only, thanks!

 

[thesocalexplorer]

Your coolant definitely looks much darker than when it was new. Have you or a service shop topped it off? Perhaps a different coolant was used.

 

[catbus16]

Your coolant definitely looks much darker than when it was new. Have you or a service shop topped it off? Perhaps a different coolant was used.

I bought it used so I have no idea if a different coolant is used. I’m going to do a coolant flush and refill, I wonder if it’s worth it to do it in dealer or any mechanic with good reputation? Does it need to use the ford yellow AF coolant?

 

[Ducati1098]

I bought it used so I have no idea if a different coolant is used. I’m going to do a coolant flush and refill, I wonder if it’s worth it to do it in dealer or any mechanic with good reputation? Does it need to use the ford yellow AF coolant?

You can use anything that meets the WSS-M97B57-A2 requirements.
I’d recommend just using the factory Motorcraft yellow.

 

[catbus16]

Update, went to the ford dealer and got it flushed and refilled, the color is still not as bright as I expected. Gonna visit the dealer again next week to see what is going on

 

[Ducati1098]

Update, went to the ford dealer and got it flushed and refilled, the color is still not as bright as I expected. Gonna visit the dealer again next week to see what is going on

Does the coolant in the reservoir still look the same color? It’s not uncommon for the reservoir to get stained and just look dark from the outside.

It also depends on what kind of flush they did. Some dealers will sell a “flush” but in reality only drain the radiator and refill it.

 

[catbus16]

Does the coolant in the reservoir still look the same color? It’s not uncommon for the reservoir to get stained and just look dark from the outside.

It also depends on what kind of flush they did. Some dealers will sell a “flush” but in reality only drain the radiator and refill it.

Thanks! Yea I will use a baster to see what it looks inside. The coolant number is VC13G but I’m not sure if that is the orange one or the bright yellow one. Hopefully the dealer didn’t just do a drain and refill for 200+$

 

[catbus16]

Does the coolant in the reservoir still look the same color? It’s not uncommon for the reservoir to get stained and just look dark from the outside.

It also depends on what kind of flush they did. Some dealers will sell a “flush” but in reality only drain the radiator and refill it.

Here’s the coolant out of reservoir. It is brighter but ford yellow coolant is almost Neon color. Do you think the dealer didn’t do a good job for a full flush?

 

[Ducati1098]

Here’s the coolant out of reservoir. It is brighter but ford yellow coolant is almost Neon color. Do you think the dealer didn’t do a good job for a full flush?

It doesn’t look too bad. To be honest, the color really doesn’t make a difference as long as it’s the correct coolant. What matters is the acidity/concentration levels.

 

[catbus16]

It doesn’t look too bad. To be honest, the color really doesn’t make a difference as long as it’s the correct coolant. What matters is the acidity/concentration levels.

I’m just worried the darker color means there’s leak/problem in engine, but I guess I will keep an eye on it then. Been learning car maintenance so maybe I’m just paranoid haha

 

[Ducati1098]

I’m just worried the darker color means there’s leak/problem in engine, but I guess I will keep an eye on it then. Been learning car maintenance so maybe I’m just paranoid haha

The color just naturally darkens over time. With 50k miles, it doesn’t seem abnormal at all from what I’ve seen. But like you mentioned, just keep an eye on it.

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