Coolant Color Help

[TheAssuager]

Coolant level is a bit low in my 2020 XLT. The photo is a cold reading. I would like to add/top off some motorcraft yellow coolant as opposed to paying for a flush.

Question is, since I bought the truck used, is it safe for me to assume that is ford's yellow coolant in there? Could it be the orange? If it is another brand coolant, is it not worth it to mix (since I don't know what's in there)? Wondering what I should do. 37k miles.

Would really appreciate some thoughts from the more experienced people here. I have nobody else to ask! Thanks,

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[MountainGoat]

I've mixed coolant before with no problems. Sometimes I even mix windshield washer fluid.

 

[diesel924]

That's yellow alright. I would just buy a jug of premix from the dealer.

 

[RedDakooter05]

That's definitely not orange. Looks like the ford yellow to me, so have at it.

 

[Msfitoy]

I've mixed coolant before with no problems. Sometimes I even mix windshield washer fluid.

My OCD would force me to flush the entire system before allowing me to drive it...

 

[myothercarizahearse]

Coolant level is a bit low in my 2020 XLT. The photo is a cold reading. I would like to add/top off some motorcraft yellow coolant as opposed to paying for a flush.

Question is, since I bought the truck used, is it safe for me to assume that is ford's yellow coolant in there? Could it be the orange? If it is another brand coolant, is it not worth it to mix (since I don't know what's in there)? Wondering what I should do. 37k miles.

Would really appreciate some thoughts from the more experienced people here. I have nobody else to ask! Thanks,

forget the coolant. time to clean the engine bay. it is filthy!

 

[TheAssuager]

I needed to hear this wake up call. Thank you...

 

[Radioman]

According to a Ford chart, the coolant was changed to yellow as of July 18, 2019 (in the model year 2019).

 

[Zvedza]

motorcraft yellow is backwards compatible with motorcraft orange fwiw.
Looks like yellow to me, and just a fair warning they now have a green dye in the yellow (makes sense right?)

 

[Rinn69]

Coolant level is a bit low in my 2020 XLT. The photo is a cold reading. I would like to add/top off some motorcraft yellow coolant as opposed to paying for a flush.

Question is, since I bought the truck used, is it safe for me to assume that is ford's yellow coolant in there? Could it be the orange? If it is another brand coolant, is it not worth it to mix (since I don't know what's in there)? Wondering what I should do. 37k miles.

Would really appreciate some thoughts from the more experienced people here. I have nobody else to ask! Thanks,

I, too, am dealing with a loss of coolant. TIP--clean the top of the tank and below it. Any accumulation on the top means you probably need a new cap. Drips below means you may need a new tank OR it's just dripping down from the top. A new cap is ~$15, tank is ~$100. (2019 w 28K miles)

 

[AzScorpion]

forget the coolant. time to clean the engine bay. it is filthy!

 

[ctechbob]

I usually just top up with deionized water. I suppose if I lived in a colder climate I might search out some pre-mix and put it in there.

 

[thewhiteranger]

Coolant level is a bit low in my 2020 XLT. The photo is a cold reading. I would like to add/top off some motorcraft yellow coolant as opposed to paying for a flush.

Question is, since I bought the truck used, is it safe for me to assume that is ford's yellow coolant in there? Could it be the orange? If it is another brand coolant, is it not worth it to mix (since I don't know what's in there)? Wondering what I should do. 37k miles.

Would really appreciate some thoughts from the more experienced people here. I have nobody else to ask! Thanks,

i also have a 2020 and my coolant has been at that same level since new — i keep meaning to go get some and top it up but havent yet….. the yellow is the right one for 2020 and it is the newest longest lasting which is good i guess they test it at like 100k replace at i think 150 if i remember right. anyway point is that my level hasnt dropped since i boight the truck in 2020 so youre probably fine its probably only off of “full“ by a 1/2 qt or so …. . i need to put a reminder in to get some to top mine up sometime this year ?

 

[Cinci36]

When it's cold, it should be at the min, when hot, not over the max or it will be excessed out the drain tube, or in your case, where it is at is fine, check it whens its hot and it should be nicely between the marks... my 19, serviced at ford for everything, and thats where i was told it should be and its been there for almost 4 years...

 

[Motorpsychology]

I've mixed coolant before with no problems. Sometimes I even mix windshield washer fluid.

My OCD would force me to flush the entire system before allowing me to drive it...

The different colors represent different silicate types and corrosion inhibitors and lubricators for the water pump, It is never a good idea to mix different colors of coolant, as they can react to form thick sludge that may damage the water pump and clog the radiator & heater cores.

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