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How do you flush the coolant on a 6.4 Powerstroke?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published May 17, 2026

The quick and dirty way to do it is add a bottle of VC-9, drive the vehicle for 5 miles. Drain the radiator, remove the block plugs. Refill the system with distilled water, drive another 5 miles. Drain the cooling system again, refill with distilled water and VC-7 using a vacuum refill tool.

Similarly one may ask, how do you drain the coolant on a 6.4 Powerstroke?

Begin by draining as much coolant as possible. Do this by removing the lower radiator hose where it connects to the radiator. Also remove one or both drain plugs in the engine block (one on each side, passenger side is difficult to reach as it is behind the starter. 2.

Likewise, can you flush coolant by yourself? Remove the radiator cap and pour distilled water into the radiator until full. Replace the cap, then start up the vehicle and let it run for 10 to 15 minutes. This will work the distilled water into the engine, flushing out any loose debris or corrosion along with the last of the old antifreeze.

Also question is, how many gallons of coolant does a 6.4 take?

6.4L Powerstroke Fluid & Oil Capacity

Oil/Fluid Capacity – Quarts Capacity – Liters
Windshield Washer Fluid 3.5 quarts 3.3 liters
Fuel Coolant 2.0 Quarts 1.9 Liters
Transfer Case 2.0 quarts 1.9 liters
Coolant 29.6 quarts 28 liters

How much does Ford charge for a coolant flush?

Coolant Flush
Price Recommended
$199.95* EVERY 100,000 miles OR 5 years**
Includes Benefits
Flush out old coolant/anti-freeze Run conditioner through cooling system Replace with fresh coolant/anti-freeze Block deposit formation Restore lost additives Prevent roadside breakdowns Prolong life of engine

Related Question Answers

How do you flush a heater core on a 6.0 Powerstroke?

Use a funnel and plug off one of the heater core hoses and fill it by using the funnel. Let it soak for at least 10 minutes, a small pump would be nice you could spin the cleaner through it but if no pump just let it soak and then flush out with hot water.

How do you burp a radiator without a cap?

After you have topped off the coolant level in the Expansion tank/radiator, you just leave the Expansion tank cap off while you squeeze the upper radiator hose numerous times and watch for air bubbles popping up in the Expansion tank.

How many thermostats does a 6.4 Powerstroke have?

Registered. Yeah the 2 thermostats and gasket for the housing come as a kit for around $50.

How do you bleed air after changing thermostat?

Turn off the heater. Shut off the engine and let it cool. Then, add more coolant to the radiator if necessary, to bring the level up to the bottom of the radiator neck. Squeeze the upper radiator hose to expel air after adding more coolant, and add more coolant if necessary.

How many gallons of coolant does a 7.3 Powerstroke take?

The cooling system capacity on 1994.5 - 1998 F-Series trucks ("OBS") is 7.24 gallons or 29 quarts. The cooling system capacity on 1999 - 2003 F-Series Super Duty trucks is 8.2 gallons or 32.75 quarts. Note - verify the radiator drain valve is closed before proceeding.

How do you fill coolant in a 6.0 Powerstroke?

Add approximately 3.4 gallons of engine coolant concentrate to the cooling system through the degas bottle, then add distilled water until the coolant level reaches the indicator on the degas bottle. Bring the engine to operating temperature, then allow it to cool and check the coolant level.

What coolant should I use in my 6.4 Powerstroke?

Registered. Motorcraft VC-7-B Gold Coolant is what Ford Recommends.

What transmission fluid does a 6.4 Powerstroke take?

6.4L Power Stroke Oil/Fluid Specs & Capacities
Oil & Fluid Specs
Engine oil 15W-40
Automatic transmission fluid Motorcraft MERCON SP ATF
Manual transmission fluid Motorcraft MERCON V full synthetic ATF
Transfer case fluid Motorcraft XL-12 transfer case fluid

How much oil does a Ford F350 diesel take?

The Ford F350 with a 6.7-liter diesel V-8 engine holds 13 quarts of oil. This pickup truck produces 400 horsepower and gives 800 pound-feet of torque.

How many quarts of oil does a Ford F350 diesel take?

The ford f350 with a 6.7-Liter diesel v8 engine holds 13 quarts of oil.

How much oil does a f250 diesel take?

A ford f-250 with a 6.0L diesel engine typically takes 15 quarts of oil, or 14.2 Liters.

What's the best oil to run in a 6.0 Powerstroke?

What oil is recommended for Powerstroke engines? 6.0 Powerstroke engines are best “fed†with 5W-40 or 15W-40 oils. The difference between these two options lies in the lower temperature range. 5W-40 operates at temperatures down to -22F, and 15W-40 can only function at -4F.

How many gallons does a 2008 Ford f350 diesel hold?

30.5 gal

How do you flush out coolant?

To flush with water and remove any leftover residue from the old coolant/antifreeze, top up the radiator with clean water using a hose, and replace the radiator cap. Then, start the engine and leave it running for 15 minutes.

Can you flush coolant with tap water?

Do not use tap water when it comes to your vehicle. While some engine coolants are designed to be mixed with water before being poured into the cooling system in your vehicle, you cannot just use any water that you please.

Are coolant flushes necessary?

Flushing the coolant and replacing it with fresh fluid every two years or 30,000 miles is a good rule. While you perform this service, inspect the hoses and radiator cap for wear. If the hoses are soft to the touch, show signs of wear or are over five years old, replace them.

Should I remove thermostat before flushing radiator?

Remove the thermostat to ensure we get the proper flow through the entire engine and heater core. If the thermostat were left in it would most likely be closed and would not allow fluid to flush through it. The heater should be turned on to the “hot†position so that water can flow through the heater core.

How do I know if I need a coolant flush?

Vehicle Overheating and High Temperature Gauge

The primary role that coolant plays in your vehicle's functioning is keeping your engine temperatures low. If you find that your temperature gauge is always high and your engine is frequently overheating, chances are that you need a coolant flush.

Can you use dish soap to flush radiator?

Never ever do such things as adding dish soap to the coolant system to flush. Any soap in the system may start eating the engine blocks and could cause a catastrophic failure.

How much does a coolant system flush cost?

The average cost for a coolant flush is between $71 and $115 for the parts and labor on this relatively short job. The parts will only be a fraction of that cost, running somewhere between $15 and $30 for a coolant flush.

How do you remove engine coolant sludge?

Fill the cooling system with antifreeze. Create a mixture of 50% water and 50% antifreeze. Fill the system with coolant and check for any leaks. Your radiator should now be free from sludge.

How often is coolant flush needed?

If you are wondering about your car's cooling system maintenance interval, you can refer to your owner's manual to find out what the manufacturer recommends. In general, most vehicles require coolant service every 30,000 miles or 5 years, whichever comes first.