2011-2014 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke Coolant

Coolant on the 2011-2014 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke

Ford specifies Motorcraft Orange VC-3-B concentrate mixed 50/50 with distilled water for the 6.7L Powerstroke, in both the primary and secondary loops. Add the two capacities together and a full refill of both loops takes roughly 9.25 to 9.75 gallons of mixed coolant. The primary loop cools the block, heads, oil cooler, turbo, heater core and first half of the EGR cooler. The secondary loop cools the air-to-water intercooler, fuel cooler, second half of the EGR cooler and the transmission cooler. Ford's schedule puts the first coolant change at 105,000 miles or six years.

When coolant is the problem, and when it isn't

New coolant won't fix a leak. If a bottle keeps dropping, find out why before you keep topping it off. A falling secondary bottle points to the intercooler, EGR cooler or fuel cooler. A falling primary bottle points to the radiator, water pump, oil cooler or heads. Because the secondary loop holds only 2.0 gallons, even a small leak there empties it quickly.

Running hot usually isn't a coolant problem either. When a 6.7L overheats under tow, the cause is usually airflow and heat rejection: a plugged cooling stack, a dirty radiator or intercooler, a stuck fan clutch or a charge-air leak. Changing coolant brands won't cure any of those.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

Matching Ford's spec is the straightforward choice, and for most owners it's the only decision to make. This shelf also carries other long-life coolants and a coolant additive. Whatever you choose, read the product's specifications and compare them with Ford's call for VC-3-B. If the label doesn't make the match clear, call us before you pour it in. Pre-mixed products go in as they come; concentrates get mixed with distilled water per the label, and Ford's ratio for VC-3-B is 50/50.

What we carry

Mishimoto Liquid Chill makes up most of the shelf: pre-mixed Liquid Chill coolant in yellow and purple, Liquid Chill Synthetic Coolant and its pre-mixed version, and the Liquid Chill radiator coolant additive. Hot Shot's Secret offers one-gallon heavy-duty coolants: 150K Mile Extended Life Green, 150,000 Mile Heavy Duty Extended Life Yellow and 750,000 Mile Heavy Duty Ultra Long Life Red. Lucas Oil 10640 Super Coolant rounds out the shelf.

Fitment notes

Coolant listings here don't carry a 6.7L year range the way hard parts do, so matching the spec is on you. Ford's call is Motorcraft Orange VC-3-B, 50/50 with distilled water, in both loops. Fill each loop through its own degas bottle and keep them straight: filling or pressure-testing the wrong system is an easy mistake, and techs have overlooked the primary tank after EGR work. For a full service, plan quantities for both loops; if you're refilling after a repair on one loop, buy for that loop.

Frequently asked questions

How much coolant does a 2011-2014 6.7L Powerstroke hold?

The primary loop holds 7.25 to 7.75 gallons and the secondary loop holds 2.0 gallons. Together that's about 9.25 to 9.75 gallons of mixed coolant for both. Buy a little extra so you aren't short at the end of a refill.

Can I run something other than Motorcraft Orange?

Ford specifies Motorcraft Orange VC-3-B. If you want to run another product, check its specifications against that requirement, and call us if the label leaves you guessing. Five minutes on the phone beats draining both loops twice.

When is the first coolant change due?

Ford's schedule puts it at 105,000 miles or six years. If you're adding coolant between changes, that's a leak to track down, not a reason to switch coolant.

Why do I keep adding coolant to the secondary bottle?

A dropping secondary bottle points to the intercooler, EGR cooler or fuel cooler. The air-to-water intercooler can leak internally and pull coolant into the intake, leaving white smoke and coolant residue in the charge pipes. Owners often find it only after pressure testing the secondary system, and with 2.0 gallons in that loop, it doesn't take much of a leak to notice.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.