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Old 07-14-2009, 06:43 PM   #1
MuddyPaws
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Powerstroke Coolant SCA Ratio

I used a Fleetguard test strip on my coolant today and got a result of 4.1 units of SCA per gallon. What I don't know is if that's OK.

The service schedule says to add 8 to 10 ounces of SCA. I've read that too much SCA can destroy waterpumps so I'm thinking I shouldn't add any regardless.

I bought Mercon ATF from Ford today too. At $6.33 a quart this is the last time I'll buy it from a stealership. Sheesh..........
 
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Old 07-15-2009, 02:02 PM   #2
MuddyPaws
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Never mind I guess.

I got on a diesel forum and found out that a value of 4.1 is high. Normal values are 2.0 to 3.0. Apparently it's common for dealerships to add too much SCA. Too much turns into an abrasive scale which will destroy the waterpump over time.

Adding a bypass filter to the cooling system appears to be one of the smarter mods I've done to my truck.
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Old 07-15-2009, 02:51 PM   #3
Art-n-Marge
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I am not familiar with what you are referring to? I think many of us are baffled. You'll notice your topic has over 30 views and no comments. This usually means your topic is intimidating, or we are unfamiliar and you might want to wait a little longer for responses.

Is this something specific for Ford 7.3 engines. What is SCA? Why would a dealership make it too high. That would anger me something awful. I have a new 6.0L and your topic means I should probably research on this.

I would also buy Ford Trans fluid elsewhere. At a dealership they seem to have too much markup.
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Old 07-15-2009, 03:49 PM   #4
dsprik
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Russ, could you elaborate on SCA? Not sure what that is. I have a GMC so I don't have a Ford manual. I am curious, though.
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Old 07-15-2009, 04:40 PM   #5
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I switched over to the gold colored antifreeze that is good for a longer time then regular antifreeze. When we did that we flushed out the system. To much of SCA will be hard mainly on the seal in the water pump. If I remember SCA is to keep down the cavation on the cylinder walls. This is trying to make a long story short. Any questions PM me.
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Old 07-15-2009, 06:56 PM   #6
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If you drive a diesel as many of us do you probably have SCA in your cooling system.

SCA by whatever name it's known keeps the micro-boiling cavitation/vacuum bubbles from etching away at the outer side of your cylinder sleeves. The SCA forms a super hard coating wherever the bubbles form. Too much SCA and the coating breaks off and it turns into a very fine abrasive sludge which will eat the vanes off your water pump and other moving parts. This is the #1 reason for waterpump failures in diesels, #2 being sand left in the casting.

I highly recommend a coolant bypass filter for all diesels.

All of this from www.thedieselstop.com
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Old 07-16-2009, 05:52 AM   #7
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I added a coolant filter to my truck. I get the filter with the additive already in the filter.
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