Engine Cooling

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: All vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in California, Oregon and New Mexico VC-7-B, in Canada, CVC-7-A) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.

NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.

The cooling system consists of the following components:

Block heater
Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor
Fan blade, fan motor and fan shroud assembly
Radiator
Pressure relief cap
Radiator draincock
Coolant pump
Coolant temperature indicator sender unit
Coolant thermostat
Oil filter adapter
Radiator overflow hose

The radiator allows excess engine heat to be transferred to the air.

Radiator tanks cannot be repaired.

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. 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 Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in California, Oregon and New Mexico VC-7-B, in Canada CVC-7-A) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
Do not add orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 (in California and Oregon VC-3) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
Do not add alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants 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 WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolants can harm the engine and cooling system components.