What next? Purple coolant? Latest specs?

[tripletdaddy]

I am looking for an authoritative source on what are Ford acceptable coolants for the different years now that there are several formulas available and required. I have come across differing answers on this that I'm not confident are based on accurate info. If I can, I'd like to settle once and for all (until they come out with "purple" coolant ), what coolants are out there, what can be used, what can be used interchangeably, what can be mixed and meet spec, what CAN'T be used, and anything else I missed. I understand the 96-99 is caught inbetween these differing coolants, and Ford spec has one in a catch 22 on what can and cannot be used and bought!?!. Please provide specific references to back up your respnse so we have accurate info. Much of the info on the forum is very useful, helpful and informative, but here I'm looking for facts on how to deal with this issue to help everyone out, but I certainly will welcome your wit and frustration with this issue. Thanks

[zorobabel]

From the Prestone website:

Q. What automobile industry specifications do your antifreezes meet or exceed?
A. Prestone® Antifreeze/Coolant meets or exceeds the performance requirements of the following specifications:
ASTM D3306
SAE J1034
GM 1825M
Ford ESE M97B44-A
Chrysler MS7170
General Services Administration CID A-A-52624

Prestone® Extended Life 5/150 Antifreeze/Coolant meets or exceeds the following industry standards and specifications:
GM 6277M
Ford WSS-M97B44-D

So you must stay away from the extended life one, if you have a 96-99 Taurus for sure. Unfortunately, they don't even show the non-extented life on their website...

Another solution is the Zerex Original Green Antifreeze/Coolant.
From their brochure:

Zerex Original Green
• Traditional green chemistry found in most early model
year vehicles
• Low silicate formula is ideal for heavy duty applications
• Protects all cooling system metals while providing excellent high-temperature
aluminum protection
• Meets and/or exceeds the following industry and engine specifications:
GM1825M, GM 1899M, Ford ESE-M97B44-A, Chrysler MS 7170, ASTM D3306 and
D4985, SAE J1034, J814C & J1941, TMC of ATA RP-302B, Federal Specifications
A-A-870A, Detroit Diesel 7SE298, Cummins 90T8-4. ThermoKing and Clarke approved.
• Product Color: Green

I haven't seen this one in the stores, I have to keep looking.

[zorobabel]

And another one:

PEAK® Ready Use® Antifreeze

From their website:

Pre-Mixed Antifreeze/Coolant - Antigel/Réfrigerant
Convenience and protection all in one. A 50% mixture, by volume, of quality PEAK antifreeze and water. Meets or exceeds all industry specifications including GM 1899M, GM 1825M, Ford ESE-M97B44-A. Provides maximum protection against scale, rust, corrosion, freeze-up and boil-over. Pre-mixed with deionized water, requires no additional mixing.
Maximum freeze-up/boil-over protection
Protects to -34ºF
Prevents sludge clogging
Protects against scale build-up, rust
and corrosion
Protects all cooling system metals,
including aluminum

Here's a discussion on another forum:

http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/...stores-196234/