Cooling System: Description and Operation

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Engine Cooling

CAUTION: The engine cooling system is filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC7A (in California and Oregon VC7B, in Canada VC7C) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSSM97B51A1 (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same type coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.

NOTE: If Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC6 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSSM99B37B6 are used, darkening of the Motorcraft Premium Coolant from yellow to golden tan will occur.

The engine cooling system consists of the:
^ block heater (optional)
^ Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor
^ fan blade
^ fan clutch
^ fan shroud
^ fan shroud with electric fan (2.3L engines)
^ radiator
^ pressure cap radiator coolant recovery reservoir (3.0L and 4.0L engines)
^ degas bottle (2.3L engines)
^ water thermostat
^ water pump
^ radiator draincock

The radiator allows excess engine heat to be transferred to the air.

Radiator tanks cannot be repaired, install as an assembly.

For the 2.3L engine, the thermostat and housing must be serviced as an assembly.

Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle or coolant expansion tank.

When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
^ Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC7A (in California and Oregon VC7B, in Canada VC7C) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSSM97B51A1 (yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.

^ NOTE: If Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC6 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSSM99B37B6 are used, darkening of the Motorcraft Premium Coolant from yellow to golden tan will occur.

Do not add or mix Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC2 or equivalent, meeting Ford specification WSSM97B44D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolants corrosion protection.
^ Do not add alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
^ Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification WSSM97B51A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolant's may harm the engine and cooling system components.

The optional block heater:
^ electrical heating element is installed in the core plug opening.
^ uses a standard 110V electrical supply
^ keeps the engine coolant warm during cold weather.