Cooling System Inspection

Special Tools:

1. Warning: Never remove the pressure relief cap/radiator cap under any conditions while the engine is operating. Failure to follow these instructions could result in damage to the cooling system or engine and/or personal injury. 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 or the radiator cap from the radiator. Wait until the engine has cooled, then wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it slowly one turn (counterclockwise) or with a thick cloth around the radiator cap turn the radiator cap (counterclockwise) slowly to the first pressure stop, step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When certain all the pressure has been released, remove the pressure relief cap/radiator cap (still with a cloth).

Caution: If There is engine coolant in the engine oil, the cause must be corrected and the oil changed or engine damage may occur.

Caution: If there is coolant in the transmission fluid, the cause must be corrected or transmission damage may occur.

Note: If the vehicle has not been allowed to reach normal operating temperature, check the engine coolant in the degas bottle/coolant expansion tank and radiator to make sure sufficient engine coolant exchange has occurred.

Once pressure is released, allow the engine to cool and remove the pressure relief cap/radiator cap.
2. Inspect the coolant in both the radiator and the degas bottle/coolant expansion tank for coolant color:
^ If Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in Oregon F5FZ-19549-CC, in Canada CXC-10) meeting Ford specification ESE-M971344-A has a clear, 1ight green or blue color, this indicates higher water content than necessary.
^ A dark brown color indicates unauthorized stop leak may have been used. Use Cooling System Stop Leak Powder E6AZ-19558-A meeting Ford specification ESE-M99B 170-A only.
^ A light or reddish-brown color indicates rust in the cooling system. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of water and Premium Engine Coolant, E2FZ-19549-AA in Oregon F5FZ-19549-CC, in Canada CXC-10 meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
^ An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant indicates a trace of oil is entering the cooling system.
^ A milky brown color may indicate that either engine oil or transmission fluid is entering the cooling system.
^ The causes of the leak might be:
^ A blown head gasket.
^ A cracked or warped cylinder head.
^ A crack in the engine oil gallery and the cooling passageways.
^ A leaking radiator.
^ A leaking auxiliary fluid cooler.

^ If engine coolant is present in the engine oil, the cause of the leak might be:
^ A blown head gasket.
^ A cracked or warped cylinder head.
^ A crack in the engine oil gallery and cooling passageways.

^ If engine coolant is present in the transmission fluid, the cause might be:
^ A leaking radiator.
^ A leaking auxiliary fluid cooler.

3. If the engine coolant appearance is good, test the engine coolant range with the battery and antifreeze tester:
^ maximum range is 60/40
^ minimum range is 45/55

4. Check the engine coolant system conditions:
^ If the engine cooling fluid is low, add specified coolant mixture only.
^ If the engine coolant fluid tests weak, add straight engine coolant until the readings are within acceptable levels.
^ If the engine coolant tests strong, remove some of the engine coolant and add water until readings are within acceptable levels.