Cooling System - Premium Gold Coolant Service Info
Article No.02-23-7
11/25/02
COOLING SYSTEM - MOTORCRAFT PREMIUM GOLD
ENGINE COOLANT - SERVICE TIPS
FORD:
2002-2003 ESCORT ZX2, FOCUS, MUSTANG, TAURUS, THUNDERBIRD
2003 CROWN VICTORIA
2002 EXCURSION
2002-2003 E SERIES, ESCAPE, EXPLORER SPORT TRAC, EXPLORER SPORT, EXPLORER, F-150, RANGER, SUPER DUTY F SERIES, SUPER DUTY F-53 STRIPPED CHAS.
2003 EXPEDITION, WINDSTAR
2002-2003 F-650, F-750
LINCOLN:
2002 CONTINENTAL
2002-2003 LS
2003 TOWN CAR
2002-2003 BLACKWOOD
2003 AVIATOR, NAVIGATOR
MERCURY:
2002-2003 SABLE
2003 GRAND MARQUIS
2002-2003 MOUNTAINEER
Article 02-17-7 is being republished in its entirety to update the text and part numbers.
ISSUE
A new, extended-life engine coolant, yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant, meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51-A1, service part numbers VC-7-A and VC-7-C (for use in the U.S., except California and Oregon) and VC-7-B (for use only in California and Oregon as it contains a bittering agent), has been equipped in all of the vehicles noted above. The initial-fill life for this coolant is 100,000 miles/5 years. Due to variations in water quality, the replacement interval is 50,000 miles/3 years.
ACTION
Any time the addition of coolant or a coolant change-out is required, USE ONLY THE TYPE OF ENGINE COOLANT WITH WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED. DO NOT MIX COOLANT TYPES. To determine the type of coolant required, check the color of coolant in the coolant reservoir of the vehicle or refer to the applicable vehicle's Owner's Guide or Workshop Manual for service parts and specification information.
SERVICE INFORMATION
Except for heavy-duty vehicles equipped with the Caterpillar 3126E engine, the use of a supplemental coolant additive (SCA) such as Motorcraft Heavy-Duty Cooling System Additive, service part number FW-16, is not required in conjunction with this coolant.
Testing is currently underway to determine the backward compatibility of the Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant in vehicles equipped with the green-colored Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant, service part numbers VC-4-A, VC-4-B, and VC-5. Until the final test results are available, vehicles should ONLY be serviced with type of coolant with which they were originally equipped.
Please note that Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant is not compatible with any orange-colored, extended-life engine coolants such as Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, service part numbers VC-2 and VC-3. DO NOT MIX COOLANT TYPES. USE ONLY THE TYPE OF COOLANT WITH WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED.
Failure to follow these guidelines may result in degradation of corrosion protection and potential engine damage.
Coolant Discoloration:
The current Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, service part number VC-6, used in both Production and Service, cause the yellow-colored Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant to change color ranging from a light golden brown to dark brown, depending upon the amount of pellet material in the coolant reservoir. This discoloration does not adversely affect the coolant or the vehicle's cooling system components. No repairs are required for this condition. To avoid confusion with regard to coolant contamination, a new formulation of stop leak pellets will be implemented in Production and Service in the near future.
Parts Block
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 02-17-7
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 402000
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