Prestone doesn’t meet 2001 Ford spec
#1
Prestone doesn’t meet 2001 Ford spec
The owner’s manual on my 2001 Supercrew (5.4L) calls for a (green) Antifreeze that meets Ford Spec ESE M97B44-A. It also says NOT to use a long life antifreeze that meet Ford Spec WSS M97B44-D.
Prestone’s new antifreeze is labeled as long life so I looked at the specs. Prestone’s website has a FAQ link that mentions specs. It states that Prestone Antifreeze/Coolant (note the name) meets Ford Spec ESE M97B44-A.
A Prestone tech told me today that Prestone has not made that old product for two years (they just leave that spec on the website for all those folks who have old jugs of Prestone sitting in the garage) and the new product
Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant does NOT meet the Ford Spec ESE M97B44-A(!). This is the product that Prestone recommends we put in our trucks.
It looks like some of the antifreeze manufacturers are now using different types of corrosion inhibitors. One Ford dealer service rep told me that “as long as it is green there is no problem” while another Ford dealer service rep told me that those specs were written for a reason…. I am worried about alloy corrosion issues.
Should I stick with Motocraft or Zerex brands (the only two I could find that still meet the “old” spec) or are the new long life formulations safe for our trucks? Does anyone know if Ford has mentioned this in any TSB’s?
Prestone’s new antifreeze is labeled as long life so I looked at the specs. Prestone’s website has a FAQ link that mentions specs. It states that Prestone Antifreeze/Coolant (note the name) meets Ford Spec ESE M97B44-A.
A Prestone tech told me today that Prestone has not made that old product for two years (they just leave that spec on the website for all those folks who have old jugs of Prestone sitting in the garage) and the new product
Prestone Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolant does NOT meet the Ford Spec ESE M97B44-A(!). This is the product that Prestone recommends we put in our trucks.
It looks like some of the antifreeze manufacturers are now using different types of corrosion inhibitors. One Ford dealer service rep told me that “as long as it is green there is no problem” while another Ford dealer service rep told me that those specs were written for a reason…. I am worried about alloy corrosion issues.
Should I stick with Motocraft or Zerex brands (the only two I could find that still meet the “old” spec) or are the new long life formulations safe for our trucks? Does anyone know if Ford has mentioned this in any TSB’s?
Last edited by InfernalCombustion; 08-25-2006 at 02:05 AM.
#2
You might want to check around at Ford. They do change their specs. Before it was recommeneded to use 75w90 in the rears. they now recommend 75w140. For the 97-00 f150s, it was recommended to use 5w-30. They now recommend 5w-20. Maybe someone here will know if the specs were changed for the antifreeze.
#4
That's up to you. I can only say what I have read about the recommendations. Personally, using the 5w20 in my 01 and 04, I have no problems, and don't expect any. From the UOA's I have seen in different forums, the 5w20 does just as good or better than the 5w30 oils. I would make sure it is at least a synthetic blend, whichever way you go.
#6
If it works, there is no reason to change. Especially as it is the original recommended by Ford. The advantage the the 5w20 may have is it might give a little better gas milage. I am not sure whether the MC 5w30 is a blend or not. If not, the blend will give you a little better protection without the cost of a full synthetic.
#7
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#8
Yea, I think that a few years ago Ford did a TSB on using 5W-20 oil for the 5.4 L engines. Some of the earlier owners manuals for 2001 call for 5W-30 and the later ones call for 5W-20. I am kind of hoping something like that has happened with the antifreeze.
As far as antifreeze -
I could not find anything usefull on Ford.com or Motocraft.com and I already told you what I got from 2 service managers.
Come on guys - anyone have any info on the antifreeze?
As far as antifreeze -
I could not find anything usefull on Ford.com or Motocraft.com and I already told you what I got from 2 service managers.
Come on guys - anyone have any info on the antifreeze?
#9
Originally Posted by InfernalCombustion
Yea, I think that a few years ago Ford did a TSB on using 5W-20 oil for the 5.4 L engines. Some of the earlier owners manuals for 2001 call for 5W-30 and the later ones call for 5W-20. I am kind of hoping something like that has happened with the antifreeze.
As far as antifreeze -
I could not find anything usefull on Ford.com or Motocraft.com and I already told you what I got from 2 service managers.
Come on guys - anyone have any info on the antifreeze?
As far as antifreeze -
I could not find anything usefull on Ford.com or Motocraft.com and I already told you what I got from 2 service managers.
Come on guys - anyone have any info on the antifreeze?
Edit - forgot to mention, my 04 uses the MC Gold long life antifreeze. So somewhere along the line Ford has changed something, and I doubt if it is the engine/radiator combo.
Last edited by kingfish51; 08-25-2006 at 11:02 AM.
#10
#11
Originally Posted by InfernalCombustion
Kingfish -
I think the spec changed midyear 2002 - or maybe they just started putting in different color at the factory. Green to yellow?
What is the antifreeze spec called for in the owners manual on your 04?
I think the spec changed midyear 2002 - or maybe they just started putting in different color at the factory. Green to yellow?
What is the antifreeze spec called for in the owners manual on your 04?
Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored), VC-7–A (U.S., except CA and OR), VC-7–B
(CA and OR only), meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1.
Note: Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
(yellow-colored), VC-7–A (U.S., except CA and OR), VC-7–B
(CA and OR only), meeting Ford Specification
WSS-M97B51–A1.
Note: Use of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, may
darken the color of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from
yellow to golden tan.
#12
Thanks Kingfish.
I dont see your 04 spec mentioned either.
Here is the link - (note the product names here - they are kind of vague when compared to the names on the jug)
http://www.prestone.com/carcare/faq.php
I dont see your 04 spec mentioned either.
Here is the link - (note the product names here - they are kind of vague when compared to the names on the jug)
http://www.prestone.com/carcare/faq.php
#13
#14
#15
5w30 vs 5w20
Originally Posted by Narvous
So i have a 1999 5.4 manual calls for 5w30 so now am i to use 5w20?
Since gas mileage takes a back seat to engine life in my opinion. I use havoline 5w30 in my 02 f-150 v-6 2wd. I live in Florida where road surface temperatures can exceed 185 degrees in the summer.