Cooling System: Service and Repair

Safety Precautions

The antifreeze specified must be used wherever possible. It is designed to afford the maximum corrosion protection to all metals found in the engine cooling system, as well as having the frost protection properties necessary during the winter months. Should it not be available, then any antifreeze conforming to Ford Motor Company specification ESD-M97B49-A may be used. To provide optimum temperature and corrosion protection, the specified antifreeze concentration must always be used. Once coolant has been drained from the system, it must be discarded and not re-used. Antifreeze is harmful to the environment. Used coolant must be disposed of safely and never poured down a drain connected to the public sewer.

CAUTION: Never fill or top-up the system with water only.

CAUTION: Antifreeze is harmful to paintwork. Coolant spillages must be wiped up immediately and the affected area washed to remove all traces of coolant.

CAUTION: To prevent the possibility of damage to the heater circuit pump and supercharger pump (where fitted), the pumps should be electrically isolated if the ignition has to be turned ON while the cooling system is drained.

WARNING: DO NOT REMOVE THE HEADER TANK PRESSURE CAP WHILE THE ENGINE IS HOT. IF THE CAP MUST BE REMOVED, PROTECT THE HANDS AGAINST ESCAPING STEAM AND SLOWLY TURN THE CAP ANTI-CLOCKWISE UNTIL THE EXCESS PRESSURE CAN ESCAPE. LEAVE THE CAP IN THIS POSITION UNTIL ALL THE STEAM AND PRESSURE HAS ESCAPED AND THEN REMOVE THE CAP COMPLETELY.

WARNING: WHEN DRAINING THE COOLANT WITH THE ENGINE HOT, PROTECT THE HANDS AGAINST CONTACT WITH HOT COOLANT.

WARNING: WHEN WORKING WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, KEEP CLEAR OF THE RADIATOR COOLING FANS. THE FANS COULD START WITHOUT WARNING EVEN IF THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING.

WARNING: DO NOT ALLOW ANTIFREEZE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH SKIN OR EYES. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, RINSE THE AFFECTED AREA IMMEDIATELY WITH PLENTY OF WATER.

Working Practices

When filling the system with coolant, ensure that the vehicle is standing on a level surface and that the coolant is poured in slowly so that airlocks are not introduced into the system. Airlocks can seriously affect the operation of the climate control system and can cause damage to the heater circuit pump (and supercharger circuit pump if fitted).

Hose clamps should always be positioned so that there is proper access for tightening and that the clamp does not foul or interfere with the operation of any components.

Drive belts must always be tensioned to the specified value. This information is given in Drive Belts, Specifications.

When tightening components, the torque figures given under Specifications should always be used for the fasteners listed.

Coolant Change

The coolant must be changed at intervals of four years or 96000 kilometers (60,000 miles). The system should be drained from the radiator drain plug, flushed and filled with fresh coolant. Flushing should be carried out thoroughly to remove all the old coolant from the engine and heater matrix. (The heater valve is open with the ignition OFF). After filling, check the coolant concentration with a hydrometer. For the specified antifreeze and coolant concentration, see Specifications.