4 Best Coolant for 6.0 Powerstroke in 2024 – Reviews & Buying Guide

With great power, comes great responsibility. Yes, we’re talking about your 6.0 Powerstroke. There are a lot of reasons why Ford truck owners opt for the 6.0 Powerstroke: namely, it being a very reliable and powerful motor that can revamp your vehicle. But it’s no secret that you’re signing up for some religious maintenance. 

Just as you need to keep oiling your engine to make sure that the pistons don’t keep generating friction, you also need to fill in coolant for the engine to stay cool and not generate unnecessary heat. 

4 Best Coolant For 6.0 Powerstroke Engine

Getting a coolant for your 6.0 Powerstroke becomes even more important if you plan to be towing and hauling significantly with your Ford truck. Maintenance is all the more necessary when you’ve invested in a second-hand 6.0 Powerstroke.

#1- Royal Purple Purple Ice Super Coolant

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Both a cooler and conditioner, the Royal Purple Ice Super Coolant drastically reduces engine heat. By reducing the engine heat, it acts as a perfect boost for the performance of your engine. Additionally, it reduces the surface tension of the radiator fluids and this has a direct impact on the heat transfer mechanism. All the heat is transferred to the outside of the radiator, keeping the engine at the optimum cool temperature. 

The Purple Ice Coolant will also have beneficial effects on the optimum cooling flow by preventing any unwanted formation of scale deposits in the radiator: boosting the longevity of your radiator at the same time.

You can expect up to 22°F of reduction in temperature after using the super coolant and directly increasing the horsepower of the engine. We particularly like that the temperature reduction happens evenly, so you won’t have any specific hot spots in the engine. 

You’ll also notice that the water pump has to be serviced and replaced less frequently, as the coolant keeps the entire system cool and clean. One of the best features of the Royal Purple Ice Coolant is the anti-corrosion. It simultaneously protects the interiors of the engine from aluminum corrosion, as well as electrolysis and any kind of erosion. 

If you live in very cold temperatures, you’ll need to supplement your Purple Ice Coolant with antifreeze.

Verdict:
The Royal Purple Ice Coolant is a safe choice for anyone with the 6.0 Powerstroke. It’s affordable and has quick results, instantly cooling your vehicle if you decide to verify with an OBD2.

The only drawback would be that it is not combined with an anti-freeze, although it is compatible with other antifreeze products. If you live in very cold climates, you might be more comfortable with opting for a coolant that also has antifreeze properties in it so that you don’t have to use two separate products.

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#2- Zerex G-05 Antifreeze / Coolant

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The Zerex G-05 Antifreeze / Coolant, like the name suggests, is two products in one. You can opt for either the Pre-diluted version or the Concentrate and add distilled water to it. 

It’s a great solution for cooling down diesel and gasoline engines and works great as both an anti-freeze well as a coolant for aluminum engines. This improves the longevity of your 6.0 Powerstroke because it protects it from any kind of corrosion. Not only is it protecting your 6.0 Powerstroke insides from corrosion, but it’s also safeguarding any paint finishes. That’s because the coolant is a high-quality defoamer system and doesn’t harm any paint, plastic, or other materials. 

ZEREX G-05 is nitrite and particularly prevents diesel engines from the dreaded fate of cavitation. You’ll also enjoy protection from hard-water deposits and scale formation, one of the unfortunate side-effects of using regular coolants. With boil-over protection and a hybrid organic acid corrosion inhibitor package, you can be rest assured that your 6.0 Powerstroke is in good hands. 

You can choose between the concentrated and the pre-diluted version of the ZEREX G-5. While both have the same properties, it comes down to your own convenience and comfort with using it. The pros of opting for the Concentrated version are that you get more bang for your buck since it will last you a much longer time. 

The cons of the Concentrated version are that you will have to constantly dilute the mixture with distilled water. You have to be careful to add the right quantity of water as well as ensure that you are not touching the materials directly and making skin contact with them. While they are safe for most surfaces, it is always a good idea to wear gloves when handling antifreeze and coolant liquids. 

Verdict

Verdict:
While Zerex G05 does not guarantee a specific drop in temperature for your 6.0 Powerstroke, there are Ford truck owners that swear by it and can tangibly feel the difference in their driving experience and engine performance after using the antifreeze and coolant. If you want a hassle-free coolant experience we recommend opting for the pre-diluted version.

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#3- The Genuine Ford Fluid VC-7-B Gold Coolant

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Many Ford F150-F350 owners wouldn’t dream of using anything but the Motorcraft Ford Gold Coolant. That’s because this one is actually endorsed and recommended by the Ford Motor Company. 

Note that it’s always recommended that you stick to the Ford-certified cooler because you stay in the safe zone for any future warranty issues. 

This coolant is the yellow color variety and is also an antifreeze and coolant in one. It provides incredible all-year-round antifreeze and coolant protection. You also benefit from superior anti-corrosion with this gold liquid, and the unique anti-boil property as well. Sounds like a lot of ‘anti-s’, but having an anti-boil is essential for your 6.0 Powerstroke as it ensures that you’ll never have the issue of boiled over and leaked out fluids reaching the radiator. 

Something unique about this coolant is that it contains a bittering agent, so you won’t see insects or small animals trying to consume it when you store it in your garage. 

For your Ford 6.0 Powerstroke, it’s really important that you don’t use Universal coolants or a mix of any colors. This is because mixing colored coolants can severely damage your engine. Do not use any generic color to try out a variety since even small amounts of mixed-colored coolants can cause complications in the 6.0 Powerstroke. 

If you’re using the yellow coolant, the Genuine Ford Gold Coolant is the best money can buy. This is a hybrid organic additive technology coolant and it features both organic and inorganic chemistry components in its formula. You’ll witness a whopping -34 degrees Fahrenheit and 265 degrees Fahrenheit for antifreeze and anti-boil. 

Please note that mixing colors when using coolants can seriously compromise the performance of your 6.0 Powerstroke. It has been known to create performance issues and you may struggle with overheating or another type of malfunctioning. What’s worse, taking the engine for repair may reveal that you have rendered your warranty null and void by mixing colors of coolant! So be careful not to do this. 

Verdict:
If you’d rather play it safe, look no further. Even though the Genuine Ford Fluid VC-7-B Gold Coolant is slightly more expensive than other coolants by generic brands, it is certified by Ford. You’ll definitely have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re using the intended coolant for your 6.0 Powerstroke engine. 

Additionally, you won’t encounter any complications with the warranty should anything go wrong with your 6.0 Powerstroke. 

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#4- EVANS Cooling Systems Waterless Engine Coolant with Funnel

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The EVANS Cooling Systems EC53001 high-performance engine coolant is different from any of the other coolants on our list. It has a waterless constitution. This High-Performance Engine Coolant is specially designed for an engine like the 6.0 Powerstroke, as well as other Light Duty Diesel, LP, and CNG engines. It is made out of a propylene glycol-based coolant that is nonreactive.

You get incredible boilover protection as the number one feature of the Evans Coolant. With a boiling point of 375 degrees Fahrenheit which means that boiling over is virtually impossible with this one. It also works great for eliminating any hot spots in the engine. This means that you’ll get much more even cooling throughout the inner workings of the 6.0 Powerstroke. 

The Evans High-Performance Engine Coolant also doubles up as a coating for the inside of the engine. It provides a protective layer of covering for the aluminum, which means that there is a strong coating that will fight any kind of corrosion or electrolysis. If you’re worried about corrosion as one of your primary concerns, you’ll greatly benefit from the Evans High-Performance Engine Coolant. That’s because it has no quantity of water in it. Water is a natural corrosive, and other coolants contain a decent amount of water in them and then have to include anti-corrosion chemicals. 

The EVANS Coolant doesn’t just have anti-corrosion compounds in it, it is intrinsically anti-corrosive and provides a protective coating. 

This High-Performance Engine Coolant also does something incredible — it prevents pre-engine knock as well as pre-ignition knock. That means that it will actually improve the smoothness of your ride as well — not just the performance and temperature of the engine. You’ll also never get any short-circuiting or any kind of electrolysis in the engine since this High-Performance Engine Coolant is not a conductor of electricity. 

The Evans High-Performance Coolant is capable of doing something that other coolants don’t offer — which is to drastically reduce the pressure. There will be no heat pressure inside the engine which doesn’t cause any undue strain on it. The explanation for this is that normal coolants contain water that very often expands and produces steam when heated. Since the High-Performance Coolant doesn’t have any water in it, it doesn’t produce steam either, keeping the fluids at a very low-pressure point at all times, even during duress. 

Note: It’s extremely important to empty out all previous coolant fluid used, especially if it is water-based. This coolant can react unexpectedly when combined with water coolants and can have an adverse effect on the engine. Before you add the EVANS High-Performance Coolant it is recommended that you do not have more than 3% of any other fluids in the engine. The easiest way to accomplish this is to get it professionally cleaned and dried. 

Verdict:
Switching to the Evans High-Performance Coolant is a big decision: because you can’t really go back. You’ll have to get your engine cleaned and commit to only using this coolant from now on (so you should do the math about how that would add up since it is costlier). But the benefits might definitely outweigh the cons, and you’ll definitely reap the benefits in the long run when your 6.0 Powerstroke lasts ages longer than anybody else’s. You’ll also have the guarantee of never running into any issues with corrosion or spills and leaks. 

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Buying Guide: Which Coolant Should I Buy? 

Knowing which coolant is best for you and your 6.0 Powerstroke is a decision that you’ll have to make based on a couple of different factors. These factors are Price, Reliability, and Durability

Affordability

If you’re trying to choose an affordable option that will still give you great performance, we recommend the Royal Purple Ice Coolant. It’s affordable and will consistently help with cooling your Ford. Even though you’ll have to spend additional money to get an antifreeze, it’s still a very affordable option in the long run. 

Convenience

Getting two different products can be a hassle. Using an affordable two-in-one antifreeze and coolant like the Zerex G-05 can be perfect for you if you have enough things on your plate without worrying about engine coolant (and antifreeze!).

Reliability 

If you’re not looking to take any chances: look no further than the Genuine Ford Fluid VC-7-B. Since it’s certified by Ford itself, you can safely use it for your 6.0 Powerstroke knowing fully well that nothing can go wrong with it! And even if it does — you have the warranty to back you up. It is slightly more expensive than other generic brands, but peace of mind has a price. 

Durability

Choosing to make the switch to the premium and high-quality EVANS High Performing Cooling System will help you score big points on Durability. It will no doubt be much better for your engine since it is intrinsically anti-corrosive and will always maintain low pressure and an incredibly low temperature. You will definitely end up spending more in the long run — but compare that to a lower risk of part replacement and you got yourself a pretty sweet deal. 

FAQs – Frequently asked questions about best coolant for your 6.0 Powerstroke engine

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that people have when they’re trying to decide which coolant to buy for their 6.0 powerstroke engine!

What coolant should I use in my 6.0 Powerstroke engine? 

There are many coolants in the market that will do the job of cooling down your engine, taking care of it and increasing its lifespan. However, it’s important to understand what feature you value the most in a coolant. Refer to our buying guide for a more detailed analysis on which feature you value the most: affordability, convenience, reliability or durability. 

However, as a general rule, try to go for a coolant that has antifreeze in it so that you don’t have to purchase an anti-freeze separately. If you’re willing to spend the extra cash, it’s worth sticking to the Genuine Ford Fluid VC-7-B so that you don’t have to worry about getting into trouble with your 6.0 engine warranty. 

How many gallons of coolant does a 6.0 Powerstroke take?

Your 6.0 powerstroke has a 6 liter capacity. The cooling system capacity, however, is 6.875 gallons. Needless to say, you should probably round that number off and purchase 7 gallons of the coolant. We’re so glad that coolant is relatively affordable (compared to transmission fluid) so that you won’t have to spend an awful lot. 

How often should you change the oil in a 6.0 Powerstroke?

If you didn’t know that you’re supposed to change the oil of your 6.0 Powerstroke, now you know! Changing the engine oil ensures that your engine stays in the best condition and also helps extend the overall life of your 6.0 powerstroke engine. 

You will need to change the oil in your 6.0 powerstroke roughly once in every six months. This figure is only an estimate because it can vary depending on how often you’re driving your vehicle. It also can depend greatly on the way you use your vehicle. I’m sure you can imagine why someone who uses their F250 for mainly towing can need to change their engine oil more frequently as compared to someone who is only driving their vehicle. 

The same goes for someone who uses their Ford truck for mainly hauling or driving in uphill and steep uneven terrain. This takes a much larger toll on the engine and will also increase the mileage and require you to change the oil much more often. 

If you’re looking for exact numbers: it’s a good idea to change your engine oil every 7500 miles. Do the math and figure out how long it takes you to finish 7500 mileage: if this is every 6 months then you can stick by the approximate number. 

You will also have to take into account what kind of conditions you are driving your vehicle in. If it is extremely hot or cold weather, then the engine naturally is under more strain and uses up more coolant as it tries to maintain the optimal temperature conditions. If you believe that you are in extreme cold or hot conditions (that is anywhere below or above the range of 30-70 degrees F) then you should subtract 1000 miles from the recommended number. That means that you would want to change the oil every 5,000 miles if you drive in harsh weather conditions. 

It’s probably a good idea to stick to the 5,000 mileage number if you tow or haul with your truck much more than you drive with an empty bed. In these cases, it almost always pays to be safe rather than sorry. 

Conclusion

Buying a coolant for your 6.0 Powerstroke isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity! It would be downright silly to skip stocking up on something so affordable after spending big bucks on the engine of your dreams. Depending on whether your priorities in a coolant are affordability, convenience, reliability, or durability: we hope that you’ve found the right coolant to buy! Taking care of your 6.0 Powerstroke is easy with so many great coolants in the market.

Remember to never mix any coolants, and always perform a thorough cleaning of your engine if you are planning to switch from one colored coolant to another.