Motorcraft Specialty Orange engine coolant (equivalent?)

[earlygrey]

Is there a less expensive general market alternative to Motorcraft Specialty Orange engine coolant? Judging by the ingredients, the Motorcraft coolant does not have silicates or phosphates, but uses ethylene glycol and an hexanoate additive.

 

Couldn't find anything that looked similar in Advanced Auto Parts and O'Reilly's around here, and only the dealers seem to have the Motorcraft brand.

 

Thanks.

 

Jim

[ldd]

As a casual car guy, I find it especially disturbing that the color-coding isn't consistent. "Only put orange in orange" would be a nice rule, but it's apparently overly restrictive. Maybe orange, maybe pink, who knows? No point in color-coding unless you're absolutely consistent with it.

 

There are some coolant mixes that claim you can add them to anything. From the label, it seems like they simply leave out the anti-corrosion additives (which are what don't get along) and just have the ethylene glycol. That would do in a pinch, but wouldn't be ideal as a long-term solution.

 

The Ford spec number for the coolant is WSS-M97B44-D2. (Double-check that in the manual, please.) Some products that claim to be compatible:

 

 

Valvoline Zerex DEX-COOL Life 5/150

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/zerex_dex_cool.pdf

 

Valvoline G-05 is orange with OAT and claims to be used in newer Ford vehicles, but the spec in their data sheet is Ford WSS-M97B51-A1. I've seen that recommended by people on forums, but I haven't done enough research to know whether the two specs match.

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/zerex_g05.pdf

 

Prestone® QUICK FILL™ Extended Life 50/50 Prediluted Antifreeze/Coolant

http://www.shamrockchicago.com/PrestELAf.html

 

They seem to more commonly be marketed as compatible with the GM trademark "Dex-Cool".

Edited February 4, 2013 by ldd

[theoldwizard]

Valvoline G-05 is orange with OAT and claims to be used in newer Ford vehicles, but the spec in their data sheet is Ford WSS-M97B51-A1. I've seen that recommended by people on forums, but I haven't done enough research to know whether the two specs match.

http://www.valvoline.com/pdf/zerex_g05.pdf

Ford WSS-M97B51-A1 is Motorcraft Gold Antifreeze/Coolant

 

• Do not mix different colors or types of coolant in your vehicle. Make sure the correct coolant is used. Mixing of engine coolants may harm your engine’s cooling system. The use of an improper coolant may harm engine and cooling system components and may void the warranty
• Do not use this product in systems originally equipped with the orange-colored Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant

[ldd]

So, stick to the spec numbers. Color and terminology are no guarantee of compatibility.

[YT90SC]

NEVER add ANY kind of Glycol to an OAT. There is no such thing as a universal coolant.

[earlygrey]

Thanks to all for responding. The links were especially helpful in getting me up to speed.

 

Since I was in a time crunch at time of original posting I went with the specified Motorcraft product. It looks like the Dex-Cool could be a more cost effective choice next time.