Inspection and Verification
Inspection and VerificationWARNING: To avoid personal injury, do not unscrew the coolant pressure relief cap while the engine is operating or hot. The coolant system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
CAUTION: Check the coolant level, engine oil and transmission fluid. Top off the coolant if needed. If there is engine coolant in the engine oil or transmission fluid, the cause must be corrected and oil/fluid changed or major component damage can occur.
CAUTION: All vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that is present in the system. 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.
1. Verify the customer's concern by operating the engine to duplicate the condition.
2. Inspect to determine if any of these mechanical or electrical concerns apply.
Visual Inspection Chart
Visual Inspection Chart:
3. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause (if possible) before proceeding to the next step.
4. Inspect the coolant condition.
1 Inspect the coolant color:
^ NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
If 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) has a clear or pale yellow color, this indicates higher water content than required.
^ Dark brown can indicate unauthorized stop leak may have been used. Use Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC-6 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6 only.
^ A light or reddish brown color indicates that rust may be present in the cooling system. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of clean distilled water and engine coolant. An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant can indicate a trace of oil is entering the system.
^ A milky brown color may indicate that engine oil is entering the cooling system. If engine oil is suspected, the cause of the leak may be internal to the engine.
2 If the engine coolant appearance is acceptable, test the engine coolant freezing point range with the Battery/Anti-Freeze Tester. The freezing point should be in the range -45°C (-50°F) to -23°C (-10°F). If the vehicle is driven in cold climates less than -36°C (-34°F), it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration to get adequate freeze protection.
^ Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40.
^ Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60.
3 Adjust coolant range and level if necessary:
^ If coolant is low, add specified coolant mixture only.
^ If the engine coolant tests too 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 clean distilled water until the readings are within acceptable levels.
5. Verify the cooling system is correctly filled and bled. Refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding.
6. If the cause is not visually evident, connect the diagnostic tool to the data link connector (DLC) and select the vehicle to be tested from the diagnostic tool menu. If the diagnostic tool does not communicate with the vehicle:
^ check that the program card is correctly installed.
^ check the connections to the vehicle.
^ check the ignition switch position.
7. If the diagnostic tool still does not communicate with the vehicle, refer to the diagnostic tool operating manual.
8. Carry out the diagnostic tool data link test. If the diagnostic tool responds with:
^ (appropriate communication networks, such as SCP, ISO, UBP, CAN) circuit fault; all electronic control units no response/not equipped, refer to Information Bus (Module Communications Network).
^ No response/not equipped for generic electronic module (GEM), refer to Body Control Systems (Multifunction Electronic Control Module).
^ System passed, retrieve and record the continuous diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), erase the continuous DTCs and carry out the self-test diagnostics for the GEM.
9. If the DTCs retrieved are related to the concern, go to the Generic Electronic Module (GEM) Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) Index.
10. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, GO to the Symptom Chart. Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures