Dale.Traveling
Newport News, VA
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Do you know what type of coolant is in the system? For model year 2003 F53 the coolant should have been changed about four times over the past 17 years.
Best not to mix coolant types if you can avoid doing. If you don't know then just use distilled water unless you are able to easily view the Northern Lights from the campsite the coach is parked at. If you can then try and determine what coolant was used and add with the same.
2006 Hurricane 31D built on a 2006 Ford F53
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NRALIFR
Truck Camping Out West
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Sir Traveller wrote:......... do I have to buy and add coolant even though I am not driving the RV right now ? ( its hooked up at an RV park ) Can I just add distilled water?
I will eventually add coolant before I drive it in the future of course but my question is regarding the current situation …
The OP’s question is: should I add something NOW or wait until just before I drive it.
I say if you’re not driving it, there’s no need to add anything NOW.
When you do top off any low cooling system though, always use undiluted antifreeze. Unless you’re adding a significant amount to top it off of course, then you should probably try to find out why it was so low.
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rhagfo
Portland, OR
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NRALIFR wrote:Sir Traveller wrote:......... do I have to buy and add coolant even though I am not driving the RV right now ? ( its hooked up at an RV park ) Can I just add distilled water?
I will eventually add coolant before I drive it in the future of course but my question is regarding the current situation …
The OP’s question is: should I add something NOW or wait until just before I drive it.
I say if you’re not driving it, there’s no need to add anything NOW.
When you do top off any low cooling system though, always use undiluted antifreeze. Unless you’re adding a significant amount to top it off of course, then you should probably try to find out why it was so low.
Well while most run a 50/50 mix of water to straight coolant, MAXIMUM cooling and freeze protection comes at 60% coolant and 40% water, so add coolant.
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JRscooby
Indepmo
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Once again, I'm hard of understanding.
In the shelf I see 2 strengths of most brands/types. The 1 is marked "ready to use". The other should be mixed 50/50 with distilled water. Looking at the price, I get paid pretty good to mix it myself. The concentrate will freeze at higher temp than the proper mix, plus it is a waste of money to use it straight.
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NRALIFR
Truck Camping Out West
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I know what the normal coolant mix is when you’re replacing the coolant. When adding to a low system that doesn’t have obvious leaks, I would use undiluted antifreeze preferably, 50/50 mix if I had to, but never just plain water. Unless the cooling system was just filled with fresh coolant at the maximum dilution ratio, a shot of undiluted antifreeze will do the system some good.
But again, if he’s not driving it RIGHT NOW, there’s no need to add anything RIGHT NOW.
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Make sure you get the correct antifreeze for that engine. Ford has 5 different colored antifreezes it recommends depending on the year and engine. One antifreeze that fits all just doesn't work any more.
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jdc1
Rescue, Ca
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The dude lives in SoCal. Even if the tank was empty, it won't freeze at 60*.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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If you aren't driving it and the existing coolant isn't aged out...leave it until before you drive it next. A non-operating engine doesn't need any coolant and if it's in good condition, it won't freeze.
The real question is are you just a little low or is there a problem that needs to be addressed. Generally, you shouldn't have to top up the coolant unless something is wrong. (obviously, use the correct type)
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Lwiddis
Monterey, California
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"When you do top off any low cooling system though, always use undiluted antifreeze."
"Just make sure that you add the right coolant per your owner's manual."
x2 on both. And add it now. You'll forget by Spring.
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ArchHoagland
Clovis, CA, USA
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jdc1 wrote:The dude lives in SoCal. Even if the tank was empty, it won't freeze at 60*.
Exactly!
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