Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.
Home >> Mazda >> 2008 >> Tribute 2WD L4-2.3L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine, Cooling and Exhaust >> Cooling System >> Testing and Inspection >> Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview >> Inspection/Verification
Manuals through 2025 now available!

Our trusted friends have launched a new website named LEMON, which has newer manuals. It also contains all the CHARM manuals.

LEMON is the spiritual successor to CHARM, I recommend you try it!

Link: lemon-manuals.la or lemon-manuals.org.ua

(Some people have issue connecting. LEMON is investigating. For now, use Firefox or change your DNS server)

Or, hide this message: temporarily or permanently

Inspection/Verification

ENGINE COOLING - 2.3L INSPECTION/VERIFICATION

Principles of Operation
Engine coolant flows primarily from the engine to the radiator circuit and back to the coolant pump. From the coolant pump, coolant is sent through the engine block and cylinder heads. A separate circuit from the engine also feeds the heater core with coolant. The coolant pump is operated by engine rotation through a pulley which is driven by the accessory drive belt, a belt driven by a pulley attached to the camshaft, or a sprocket driven by the timing chain to circulate the coolant. The coolant thermostat is a control valve actuated by coolant temperature. When the thermostat is closed, coolant flow bypasses the radiator circuit and returns to the coolant pump. When the thermostat is opened, coolant is allowed to flow through the radiator circuit in order to transfer engine generated heat to the outside air.

Note
^ The vehicle is equipped with either a degas bottle or an expansion tank.

The degas bottle, if equipped, holds surplus coolant and removes air from the cooling system, which reduces hot spots. It also allows for coolant expansion and system pressurization, replenishes coolant to the cooling system and serves as the location for service fill.

The coolant expansion tank, if equipped, holds surplus coolant, allows for coolant expansion and replenishes coolant to the cooling system. It is equipped with a non-pressurized cap which allows coolant to be added to the tank to keep it filled to prescribed levels.

The cooling fan draws air through the radiator to help cool the system coolant as it passes through the radiator.

The thermostat monitor is a function of the PCM and is designed to verity correct thermostat operation. The monitor will be executed once per drive cycle and has a monitor run duration of 300-800 seconds. If a malfunction occurs, DTC P0125 or P0128 is set, and the malfunction indicator lamp will be illuminated.

INSPECTION/VERIFICATION

Warning
^ Never remove the pressure relief cap under any conditions while the engine is operating or hot. Failure to follow these instructions could result in personal injury or damage to the cooling system or engine. To avoid having scalding hot coolant or steam blow out of the cooling system, use extreme care when removing the pressure relief cap from a hot degas bottle. Wait until the engine has cooled, then wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it slowly one turn (counterclockwise). Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When you are certain all the pressure has been released, (with a cloth) turn and remove the pressure relief cap. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.

Caution
^ The engine cooling system is filled with Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant.

Note
^ Vehicles equipped with a degas bottle system have the pressure relief cap on the degas bottle and no radiator cap. Vehicles equipped with a coolant expansion tank system have the pressure relief cap on the radiator.

1. Verify the customer concern.
2. Visually check the engine coolant level at the degas bottle or coolant expansion tank when the system is cold.
3. Make sure the pressure relief cap is installed correctly.
4. Record any cooling system DTCs retrieved. See DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) INDEX - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) for DTC descriptions.

Note
^ Take note of any coolant odor or steam coming from cooling system components.

5. If the system coolant is filled correctly and no DTCs associated with fail-safe cooling are retrieved, verify the customer's concern by operating the engine to duplicate the condition.

6. Inspect to determine if any of the following mechanical or electrical concerns apply.

Visual Inspection Chart





7. If the inspection reveals an obvious concern that can be readily identified, repair it as necessary. Test the system for normal operation.
8. Inspect the coolant condition.
(1) Inspect the coolant color.
^ If Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant has a clear or pale yellow color, this indicates higher water content than required. Test the engine coolant freezing point range with the Battery/Anti-Freeze Tester. The freezing point should be in the range -45 to -23°C (-50 to -10°F). If the vehicle is driven in cold climates less than -36°C (34°F), it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration to get adequate freeze protection. Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 ethylene glycol to distilled water.
^ A pale green color indicates incorrect coolant (green in color) may have been added to the system. Use of incorrect (green in color) coolant degrades the corrosion protection of Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant.

Note
^ If Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets are used, darkening of the Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan will occur.
^ Dark brown could indicate a commercially available stop leak may have been used. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Mazda Premium Gold Engine Coolant.
^ 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 Premium Gold Engine Coolant.
^ An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant could indicate a trace of oil is entering the system.
^ A milky brown color may indicate that engine oil is entering the cooling system. Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to component tests. If engine oil is suspected, the cause of the leak may be internal to the engine.
^ A red, orange or light green colored sheen on top of the coolant may indicate that transmission fluid is entering the cooling system. The cause may be a leaky radiator. Pressure test the cooling system. See component tests. Component Tests and General Diagnostics

(2) If the engine coolant appearance is acceptable, test the engine coolant freezing point range with the Battery/Anti-Freeze Tester. The freezing point should be in the range -45 to -23°C (-50 to -10°F). If the vehicle is driven in cold climates less than -36°C (-34°F), it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration to get adequate freeze protection. Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 ethylene glycol to distilled water.
^ Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
^ Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
(3) Adjust coolant range and level if necessary:
^ If coolant is low, add specified coolant mixture only.
^ If the engine coolant tests too weak, remove some of the engine coolant and add undiluted engine coolant until the readings are within acceptable levels.
^ If the engine coolant tests strong, remove some of the engine coolant and add distilled water until the readings are within acceptable levels.
9. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause and test the system for normal operation before proceeding to the next step.

10. Note
^ Make sure to use the latest scan tool software release. If the cause is not visually evident, connect the scan tool to the data link connector (DLC).

11. Note
^ The vehicle communication module (VCM) LED prove out confirms power and ground from the DLC are provided to the VCM.
If the scan tool does not communicate with the VCM:
^ check the VCM connection to the vehicle.
^ check the scan tool connection to the VCM.
^ see PINPOINT TEST 14: NO POWER TO THE SCAN TOOL, to diagnose no communication with the scan tool.

12. If the scan tool does not communicate with the vehicle:
^ verify the ignition key is in the ON position.
^ verify the scan tool operation with a known good vehicle.
^ see COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK to diagnose no response from the PCM.
13. Carry out the network test.
^ If the scan tool responds with no communication for one or more modules, see COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK.
^ If the network test passes, retrieve and record continuous memory DTCs.
14. Clear the continuous DTCs and carry out the self-test diagnostics for the generic electronic module (GEM).
15. If the DTCs recovered are related to the concern, go to the DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) INDEX - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM). For all other DTCs, see DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) CHART - B, C AND U CODES.
16. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART - ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM.
pro multis · About Operation CHARM