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 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 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 Cooling System Flushing.

- An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant could indicate a trace of oil is entering the system. For engine diagnosis, refer to Engine System - General Information Testing and Inspection. 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 Cooling System Flushing - with Fluid Contamination.

- A milky brown color may indicate that engine oil is entering the cooling system. Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to the Component Tests Engine Cooling. If engine oil is suspected, the cause of the leak may be internal to the engine. For engine diagnosis, refer to Engine System - General Information Testing and Inspection. 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 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 cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding.