2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty — Coolant Capacity & Type

The 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty holds between 20.9 quarts and 41.2 quarts of coolant, depending on whether it is equipped with the 6.2L gas V8 or the dual-loop 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engine. As an ASE-certified master technician, I have serviced countless heavy-duty cooling systems, and the modern Super Duty requires strict adherence to fluid specifications and bleeding procedures to keep it hauling safely.

Quick answer

• Total cooling system capacity: 20.9 quarts (19.8 L) for the 6.2L V8; up to 41.2 quarts (39.0 L) combined for the 6.7L diesel.
• OEM coolant spec: Motorcraft Orange Antifreeze/Coolant (OAT) meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Note: Ford has retroactively approved Motorcraft Yellow (P-OAT, spec WSS-M97B57-A1) as an upgraded replacement.
• Mix ratio: 50/50 mix of approved coolant concentrate and distilled water (or use pre-diluted 50/50). Never use tap water.

Capacity by engine option

The 2017 F-250 is unique, especially when equipped with the 6.7L Power Stroke, which utilizes two entirely separate cooling systems: a primary system for the engine and a secondary system for the charge air cooler, EGR cooler, and transmission cooler.

Flush interval

Ford recommends the initial coolant replacement at 100,000 miles or 6 years, whichever comes first. After the initial flush, the interval drops to every 50,000 miles or 3 years.

For severe duty applications—such as frequent heavy towing, extensive idling (common on job sites), or driving in extremely dusty environments—it is highly recommended to check coolant strength and condition at 60,000 miles. Testing the nitrite levels and freeze point with test strips or a refractometer during routine maintenance is crucial, particularly for the diesel platform.

How to refill & bleed

Modern Super Duty trucks, particularly the 6.7L diesels, can be notoriously difficult to bleed properly without the right equipment. Air pockets in the primary or secondary loop can cause localized boiling, EGR cooler failure, or severe engine damage.

1. Drain the system: Wait until the engine is completely cold. Open the petcocks on the lower radiator(s). For the diesel, remember you have two separate drain points.
2. Pull a vacuum: I highly recommend using a vacuum coolant refill tool (like an AirLift). This pulls the system into a deep vacuum, checking for leaks before pulling the fresh 50/50 mix directly into every crevice of the block and coolers.
3. Manual bleeding (if no vacuum tool is available): Fill the degas bottle to the MAX line. Leave the cap off.
4. Run the engine: Start the truck and turn the cabin heater to maximum heat and fan speed. Let the engine reach operating temperature until the thermostat opens (the upper radiator hose will become hot).
5. Bleed the secondary system (Diesel only): The secondary system has its own bleeder valve near the passenger side of the charge air cooler. Open it slowly while the secondary pump is running to purge trapped air.
6. Top off: Once the system is burped, turn off the engine, let it cool, and top off the degas bottles to the cold fill line.

Common cooling system issues

For the 2017 (Alumiduty) generation of the F-250, there are a few documented cooling system weaknesses to watch out for:

• Radiator Side Tank Leaks: The primary radiator on the 6.7L diesel is known to develop slow weeping leaks where the aluminum core is crimped to the plastic side tanks. If you smell sweet coolant but don't see a puddle, inspect the lower corners of the radiator.
• Primary Water Pump Failure: The 6.7L primary water pump can develop leaks at the weep hole or suffer from bearing failure as it approaches the 100k-mile mark.
• Cold Side Intercooler Pipe (Secondary Loop): While technically an intake issue, failures here can sometimes be misdiagnosed alongside secondary cooling system performance codes. Ensure the secondary coolant pump is actually circulating fluid, as pump failures will cause high intake air temperatures.
• Mixing Coolants: Accidentally mixing IAT (green) or other universal coolants with the factory OAT/P-OAT can cause sludge to form, blocking the EGR cooler and heater core.

Always keep an eye on your degas bottle levels and address leaks immediately. Find a trusted shop on Repairius.