Engine Cooling

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Ford RV Cutaway, 2005 Ford Econoline, 2005 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2005 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Identifying Cooling System Components (Gasoline)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.

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

Walter 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 cooling system components are as follows:

block heater
cylinder head temperature (CHT) sensor - 4.6L, 5.4L and 6.8L
engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor - 6.0L Diesel
fan blade
fan clutch
fan shroud
cooling fan stator - 6.0L Diesel
vistronic fan clutch - 6.0L Diesel
radiator
pressure relief cap
degas bottle
radiator draincock
coolant pump
thermostat

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

The radiator cannot be serviced. Install a new radiator.

The coolant pump circulates the coolant. The thermostat:

controls the engine coolant temperature.
allows quicker engine warm-up.

The degas bottle:

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

On gasoline engines, the fan clutch is a thermostatically controlled clutch that controls the fan blade.

On the 6.0L diesel engine, the vistronic fan clutch is controlled by the powertrain control module (PCM). The PCM monitors engine oil temperature (EOT) and engine coolant temperature (ECT) and sends a duty cycle command to the fan clutch to achieve adequate cooling. When a circuit fault is detected, the PCM will set a DTC.

The engine coolant flows:

from the lower radiator hose to the coolant pump.
from the coolant pump to the engine block and the cylinder heads.

A closed thermostat returns the engine coolant to the coolant pump. An open thermostat allows the engine coolant to flow to the radiator.

CAUTION: 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 distilled water.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Coolant VC-7-A (in California and Oregon VC-7-B, in Canada VC-7-C) or equivalent meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.
The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
Do not add/mix orange colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 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 anti-freeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not mix with recycled coolant. Use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components.

The optional block heater:

contains an electrical heating element that is installed in the core plug opening.
- uses a standard 110-volt electrical supply
keeps the engine coolant warm during cold weather.