Cooling System: Description and Operation
Engine CoolingThe cooling system components are:
^ block heater
^ engine coolant temperature ECT sensor (5.4L, 4V only)
^ fan blade
^ fan clutch
^ fan shroud
^ radiator
^ radiator cap
^ radiator coolant recovery reservoir
^ radiator drain cock
^ water temperature indicator sender unit
^ water thermostat and gasket assembly (4.2L)
^ water thermostat (4.6L, 5.4L)
^ upper radiator hose
^ lower radiator hose
The water pump circulates the coolant.
The water thermostat:
^ controls coolant temperature.
^ allows quicker engine warm-up.
The degas bottle:
^ holds surplus coolant when hot.
^ de-aerates the system reducing engine hot spots.
^ is the location for service fill.
^ allows coolant expansion and system pressurization [110 kPa (16 psi)].
^ provides a location for air separation during operation.
^ replenishes coolant to the system.
The fan blade draws air through the radiator to help cool the system coolant.
The fan clutch is a thermostatic-controlled clutch that controls the fan drive.
The radiator allows excess heat to be transferred to the air.
The radiator cannot be serviced. Install a new radiator.
The engine coolant flows:
^ from the lower radiator hose to the water pump.
^ from the water pump to the engine block and the cylinder heads.
- Thermostat closed, the coolant returns to the water pump.
- Thermostat open, the coolant flows back to the radiator.
^ to the radiator for heat rejection then back to the lower radiator hose.
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 clean, drinkable water.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
^ Add Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (VC-5 in Oregon or CXC- 10 in Canada) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M971344-A.
^ Do not add orange colored extended life coolant such as VC-2 meeting Ford specification WSS-M997B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolants corrosion protection.
^ Do not add alcohol or methanol 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 unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification ESE-M971344-A. Not all coolant recycling processes meet this Ford specification. Use of such a coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.
The block heater:
^ is an optional electrical heating element installed in core plug opening.
^ uses a standard 110v electrical supply.
^ keeps the engine coolant warm during cold weather.