Cooling System: Description and Operation

Engine Cooling

CAUTION: Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types. Failure to follow these instructions may result in cooling system or engine damage.

The cooling system components include the following:
^ Block heater
^ Coolant pump
^ Cooling fan blade
^ Cooling fan clutch
^ Cooling fan shroud
^ Cooling fan stator - 6.0L diesel
^ Cylinder head temperature (CHT) sensor - 4.6L, 5.4L and 6.8L
^ Degas bottle
^ Engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor - 6.0L diesel
^ Pressure relief cap
^ Radiator
^ Radiator draincock
^ Thermostat
^ Vistronic fan clutch - 6.0L diesel

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 Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent or equivalent (yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.
^ Do not add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent (US) Motorcraft Extended Life Engine Coolant (Canada); or equivalent. 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.