Cooling System: Description and Operation
Engine Cooling
NOTICE: 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.
NOTICE: Inadequate concentration of Motorcraft(R) Diesel Cooling System Additive may result in major corrosive damage to the engine cooling system components. An excessive amount of additive may cause formation of gels that may cause coolant flow restriction, plugging of passages and overheating.
For vehicles equipped with a diesel engine, use Motorcraft(R) Diesel Cooling System Additive as specified in the diesel engine coolant test. Motorcraft(R) Diesel Cooling System Additive provides additional long-term protection against cavitation erosion and corrosion beyond that provided by the engine coolant. Check the nitrite level and freeze protection as recommended in the maintenance schedule and maintain the correct level of Motorcraft(R) Diesel Cooling System Additive in the cooling system. Refer to Coolant Test - Diesel Engine Coolant Test.
Coolant Flow Diagram, 4.6L (2V) with Auxiliary Heat
NOTE: Black arrows indicate hot, white arrows indicate cold.
Coolant Flow Diagram, 4.6L (2V) without Auxiliary Heat
NOTE: Black arrows indicate hot, white arrows indicate cold.
Coolant Flow Diagram, 5.4L (2V) without Auxiliary Heat
NOTE: Black arrows indicate hot, white arrows indicate cold.
Coolant Flow Diagram, 5.4L (2V) with Auxiliary Heat
NOTE: Black arrows indicate hot, white arrows indicate cold.
Coolant Flow Diagram, 6.8L (2V) with Auxiliary Heat
NOTE: Black arrows indicate hot, white arrows indicate cold.
Coolant Flow Diagram, 6.8L (2V) without Auxiliary Heat
NOTE: Black arrows indicate hot, white arrows indicate cold.
Coolant Flow Diagram, 6.0L Diesel
NOTE: Black arrows indicate hot, white arrows indicate cold.