Two Install Questions

[Breadfan]

I have two minor questions about the Trilogy install. I spent some time this weekend gathering up all the required tools, even ran out and picked up an inch/lb torque wrench. (That completes my set, I think I have 4 different styles now!)

Anyway, I had a few questions regarding the coolant to use...

First How much coolant should I have on hand for the install? This includes filling the intercooler resevior as well as the main cooling system. Also, I did skim the install manual, but these systems (intercooler and engine cooling) ARE seperate system right?

At anyrate, I need to know how many gallons (non-diluted) to purchase. (Hence me thread in "The Garage" to find what types are compatible)

Second, is the use of a product such as "Water Wetter" in the intercooler system a bad idea, good idea, or a no difference idea? Has anyone run any of these coolant enhancers?

[jdando]

During my install I purchased two gallons of different color antifreeze. This was suggested since you have two seperate systems and this would help trouble shooting if you every have a leak. This will be plenty since you are not draining the main radiator.

I have no input on the water water. I believe someone here has used it.

Enjoy the assembly, don't forget to get the EGR nut broken/loosened before the build up. I missed this step and it took me about 4-6 hours of wrenching, cursing, calling, driving to look for tools, etc.:mad:

soon you will be :burnout:

jeremy aka 0098

[Tallboy]

Jeremy's advice is sound. It's easier to have a gallon of 50/50 water/antifreeze in a 1 gallon jug for the intercooler reservoir. It'll hold nearly the entire contents of that gallon.

Tip: Pour as much as you can in the reservoir first. Then, while someone else turns on the ignition key, immediately start pouring more coolant in. The pump will suck the reservoir dry if you're not careful and you'll "air-lock" the system.

[Breadfan]

Thanks!

Can you guys elaborate a bit more on the EGR? Should I drop by by somewhere to have this done? I'll losen it early on, but are you saying it could break? Any tips on how to get this out easier?

Just taking an oppurtunity to learn up before I hit it this weekend. :)

Thanks guys!!

[Tallboy]

The easiest way to get to the EGR tube on the driver's side exhaust manifold is to have the car up on a lift. Pretty much any exhaust shop could do this in about five minutes, and that includes setting the lift and raising the car up. Just have them "break it loose", so it'll be easier to remove later.

[Breadfan]

Cool, I will try to find a shop and have this done before the week is up. Now I gotta find a good shop around here, I'm very very finicky about letting shops I don't know touch the MM...maybe the dealer can do it...

[Zack]

Get a 1 1/16" wrench. It is much cheaper than having an exhaust shop do it.

[Breadfan]

OK, I can get that wrench...may actually already have one. (We have a set of 1" to 3" monster wrenches)

Is this issue to bolt size or actually getting to it and having room to move the wrench?

I don't mind doing it myself but if it's gonna be hours of cursing I could just have a shop do it.

Also, I'd have it done up here and would have to drive about 35 miles with it loose to get to my install destination - is that OK?

Anyway, let me know, I will be having this done either way by the weekend.

I may take a look under the hood tonight, unfortunately when I'm at work I tend to miss pretty much all of the daylight...gonna have to grab a light.

PS. Is it easier to attach from above or below the car? If below, I'd have to do it under a jack and/or jackstands.

Anyway, I'm getting the coolant tonight from the dealer, will ask their service dept. what they think about loosing the tube. I drove my 'stang to work today anyway, so they won't do it tonight regardless.

[Breadfan]

When you said red coolant for the intercooler, did you mean Dexcool?

I'm a bit scared of the stuff after my Grand Am, I know it was never provent but there was a chance it was responsible for eating certain types of gaskets. SHould be OK in the interooler loop.

Still, just seeing if you all used Dexcool or not...

[DEFYANT]

Dunno much about coolant, but that EGR... I suggest you spray the fittings w/ WD-40 the night before.

[carfixer]

As for the coolant, go to the part counter at the Ford dealer and buy a gallon of green coolant and a gallon of gold coolant. If your cooling system already has green, use green in the cooling system and use gold in the resevoir or vice-versa.

The EGR tube doesn't break, it just can be a pain to break loose. I've found you can get a 1 1/16 wrench on it if you slip the wrench just under the bottom of the inner fender well from the wheel well instead of from the underneath. If you have someone break it loose, it will be fine to drive. It may sound like a minor exhaust leak but nothing major.

I PM'd you my phone #, call me if you have any ??? during the install.

[Breadfan]

Thanks! I may not be able to line up a shop to do the EGR but I do have the right wrench, we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for the coolant tips as well....oh, and the PM. :)

[Haggis]

As for the coolant, go to the part counter at the Ford dealer and buy a gallon of green coolant and a gallon of gold coolant. If your cooling system already has green, use green in the cooling system and use gold in the resevoir or vice-versa.

The EGR tube doesn't break, it just can be a pain to break loose. I've found you can get a 1 1/16 wrench on it if you slip the wrench just under the bottom of the inner fender well from the wheel well instead of from the underneath. If you have someone break it loose, it will be fine to drive. It may sound like a minor exhaust leak but nothing major.

I PM'd you my phone #, call me if you have any ??? during the install.
Claude you are 'Da Man'. :2thumbs: Thanks for helping out a fellow CAMmer.

Good luck on the install this weekend Mike. I'm here for moral support if you need it. ;)

[Vortech347]

Make sure the only water you mix with coolant is distilled water. You'll have up to 80% less gunk/mineral build ups inside the intercooler and radiator. I'm religous about this after seeing tap water kill a 300$ alumium radiator. I run water wetter in my stang. YES it does make a difference. What it does is lowers the surface tension of water, making air pockets non-existant and it has some other properties as well. I use it in both my stang and soon in my MM when I do a full fluid flush on her.

[Breadfan]

YES! I am making a special point to get distilled. I too agree, gotta be distilled to do it right. :)

Thanks for the support guys!