Powertrain Secondary Cooling System Coolant Test

Coolant Test









NOTE: During normal vehicle operation, Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant may change color from orange to pink or light red. As long as the engine coolant is clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.





1. Inspect the coolant color.

1. Discoloration may indicate that incorrect coolant may have been added to the system. Use of incorrect (green or yellow in color) coolant degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Addition of Motorcraft Specialty Green Engine Coolant may cause the color to appear to be a murky green-brown color. The addition of Motorcraft Premium Gold Coolant, however, may not change the color or appearance of the orange colored coolant. Detection of contamination with Premium Gold Engine Coolant is determined by the presence of nitrite. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing Powertrain Secondary Cooling System Flushing.

- A darker orange with the presence of debris could indicate a commercially available stop leak may have been used and could result in loss of coolant flow to critical parts of the engine. If sediment is present in the coolant sample, flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing Powertrain Secondary Cooling System Flushing.

- A light or reddish brown color indicates that rust may be present in the cooling system. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing Powertrain Secondary Cooling System Flushing.

- An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant could indicate a trace of fuel is entering the system. Install a new fuel cooler. For additional information, refer to Fuel Charging and Controls - Fuel Cooling System Service and Repair. Flush the cooling system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing - With Fluid Contamination Powertrain Secondary Cooling System Flushing - with Fluid Contamination.

- A reddish or milky pink color could indicate that transmission fluid is entering the cooling system. Install a new transmission fluid cooler. For additional information, refer to Transaxle/Transmission Cooling Transmission Fluid Cooler. Flush the cooling system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing - With Fluid Contamination Powertrain Secondary Cooling System Flushing - with Fluid Contamination.

2. For the shaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with undiluted Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. For the unshaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with distilled water.





3. For the shaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with undiluted Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. For the unshaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with distilled water.





4. Fill and bleed the powertrain secondary cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding Powertrain Secondary Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding.