Engine Cooling: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the manufacturer's specified coolant. Chemically flush the cooling system if a non-specified coolant has been used. Refer to COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHING . Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

NOTE: During normal vehicle operation, Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant may change color from orange to pink or light red. As long as the engine coolant is clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.

The cooling system consists of the following components:

Block heater (located in the thermostat housing for 3.5L Gasoline Turbocharged Direct Injection (GTDI) and 3.7L engines, the LH front of the 5.0L engine cylinder block and the LH rear of the 6.2L engine cylinder block.)
Coolant expansion tank (6.2L engine)
Degas bottle (3.5L GTDI, 3.7L and 5.0L engines)
Electric cooling fan and shroud assembly
Radiator
Pressure relief cap (located on the radiator for the 6.2L engine and on the degas bottle for the 3.5L GTDI, 3.7L and 5.0L engines)
Radiator draincock (located in the RH corner of the radiator)
Upper and lower radiator hoses
Coolant pump
Coolant thermostat

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 or coolant expansion tank.

When adding engine coolant, use a 48/52 to 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water, which equates to a freeze point between -31°C (-30°F) and -37°C (-34°F).

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

Add Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent.
Do not add/mix any other engine coolant. 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. Use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components. Do not mix coolant types.

Fig 1: Locating Coolant Thermostat Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

On 3.5L GTDI and 3.7L engines, a channel cover plate is located behind the front cover. It contains a timing chain idler and press in place gaskets separating engine coolant and engine oil. A weep hole is provided on the front left side of the engine behind the generator. If oil or coolant is leaking from the weep hole, then a gasket has failed and must be replaced. Refer to ENGINE MECHANICAL - 3.5L GTDI for 3.5L GTDI engines or ENGINE MECHANICAL - 3.7L for 3.7L engines.

The 3.5L GTDI, 3.7L and 5.0L engines use a cold side thermostat. This means the thermostat controls the flow of cooled radiator coolant into the warmer engine cooling circuit. The thermostat is located at the lower radiator hose connection to the engine. During initial warm-up, the engine coolant increases in temperature, causing the thermostat to open. The cooler coolant from the radiator mixes with the warm engine coolant, causing the thermostat to close. The thermostat opens and closes several times before the engine coolant is warm enough to allow the thermostat to remain open. The engine must run much longer than a vehicle with a hot side thermostat before the thermostat remains fully opened.

The 6.2L engine uses a typical hot side thermostat.