Cooling System: Description and Operation

The 4.6L cooling system components include the:
- block heater
- Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor
- fan blade, fan motor and fan shroud assembly radiator
- pressure relief cap radiator draincock
- water pump
- water thermostat
- oil filter adapter
- radiator overflow hose
- upper radiator hose
- lower radiator hose

The radiator overflow hose circulates the coolant.

The water thermostat:
- controls the engine coolant temperature.
- allows for quicker engine warm-up.

The degas bottle/coolant expansion tank:
- provides a location for service fill.
- contains coolant expansion and system pressurization.
- provides air separation during operation.
- replenishes the engine coolant to the system.

The engine coolant flows:
- from the lower radiator hose to the water pump.
- from the water pump to the engine block and the cylinder heads.

The 3.8L cooling system components include the:
- block heater
- Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor
- fan blade, fan motor and fan shroud assembly
- radiator
- radiator cap
- radiator draincock
- water pump
- water thermostat
- oil filter adapter
- radiator overflow hose
- coolant expansion tank
- upper radiator hose
- lower radiator hose

The fan blade draws air through the radiator to help cool the engine coolant.

The fan motor:
- operates only when the ignition switch is in the RUN position.
- will not operate with the switch in the OFF position.

The engine coolant:
- flows through the radiator tubes and is cooled by passing air over the cooling fins.
- is then circulated from the radiator outlet tank through the water pump and into the cylinder block to complete the circuit.

A closed water thermostat returns the engine coolant to the water pump. An open water thermostat allows the engine coolant to flow to the radiator.
Use Premium Engine Coolant:
- E2FZ-19549-AA engine coolant that meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.

Use recycled coolant:
- produced by Ford approved processes. Not all coolant recycling processes produce coolant which meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A, and use of such a coolant may harm engine and cooling system components.

Unsatisfactory coolant materials:
- alcohol-type antifreeze does not provide adequate water pump lubrication
- has lower boiling point
- reduced antifreeze protection
- alkaline brine solutions will cause serious engine cooling system damage

The water temperature sensor provides a signal to the temperature gauge.

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