Cooling System: Description and Operation
Engine CoolingWalter C. Avrea, the owner of patents 3,601,181 and RE 27,965, has granted Ford Motor Company rights with respect to cooling systems covered by these patents.
The 4.6L cooling system components include the:
^ block heater
^ Engine Coolant Temperature (ECE) sensor
^ fan blade, fan motor and fan shroud assembly
^ radiator
^ pressure relief cap
^ radiator or 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.
Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency, and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle (4.6L) or coolant expansion tank (3.8L). When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and clean, drinkable water.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
^ Add Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (VC-5 in Oregon or CXC-10 in Canada) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
^ Do not add orange colored extended life coolant such as VC-2, meeting Ford specification WSS-M997B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
^ Do not add alcohol or methanol or any engine coolant mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze.
These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
^ Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A. Not all coolant recycling processes meet this Ford specification. Use of such a coolant can harm the engine cooling system components.
The water temperature sensor (4.6L) or cylinder head temperature sensor (3.8L) provides a signal to the temperature gauge.
The optional block heater:
^ electrical heating element is installed in the core plug opening.
^ uses a standard 110V electrical supply
^ keeps the engine coolant warm during cold weather.