Cooling System - Corrosion/Contamination/Overheating: Overview

Article No.
01-11-6

06/11/01

COOLING SYSTEM - 3.0L VULCAN ENGINE ONLY -
VARIOUS COOLANT RELATED SYMPTOMS -
CONTAMINATED OR DISCOLORED COOLANT

FORD:
1996-1999 TAURUS

MERCURY:
1996-1999 SABLE

NOTE
THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT APPLY TO GULF COAST COUNTRY (GCC) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ENGINE OIL COOLER. A SEPARATE TSB WILL BE RELEASED SOON FOR THESE APPLICATION.

ISSUE

Some vehicles may exhibit cooling system conditions such as:

^ Contaminated/corroded coolant

^ Leaking/Cracked/Discolored Coolant Overflow bottles

^ Vibration or thumping from engine

^ Leaking heater core

^ Coolant overflow

^ High temperature gauge readings

^ Fluctuating temperature gauge

^ Stuck Thermostat

^ Heater hose leaks

^ Leaking head gasket

^ Lack of heat

This may be caused by:

^ Coolant level that falls below the cold fill range due to un-serviced leaks, improper fill after service and lack of coolant level maintenance that may lead to cooling system overheat damage.

NOTE
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE COOLANT CAN BE SAFELY FILLED TO THE TOP OF THE CLEAR PORTION OF THE BOTTLE (WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD) TO PROVIDE EXTRA RESERVE COOLANT. (FIGURE 11).

^ Bank to bank coolant flow imbalance on some 1996-98 model year vehicles.

ACTION

Perform the following repairs based on model year application. Check repair history to determine if prior repairs were performed.

^ 1996-97 3.0L Vulcan - If bypass kit was pre\1iously installed, then install new water pump (1F1Z-8501-AA) and perform the entire SEDIMENT/CHEMICAL FLUSH and fill procedure. If bypass kit was NOT previously installed, Install coolant bypass kit (F7DZ-8522-AB) OR (METHANOL VEHICLES F8DZ-8522-CC), new water pump (1F1Z-8501-M) and perform the entire SEDIMENT/CHEMICAL FLUSH and fill procedures.

^ 1998 3.0L Vulcan - Install Coolant bypass kit (F8DZ-8522-BA) on vehicles built 9/1/1997 - 1/23/1998. Install water pump (1F1Z-8501-AA) on all 1998 models regardless of build date. Perform the entire SEDIMENT/CHEMICAL FLUSH if bypass kit was NOT previously installed. If bypass was previously installed or vehicle is outside the coolant bypass build range the CHEMICAL FLUSH and Fill procedure may be sufficient.

^ 1999 3.0L Vulcan - Perform FLUSH AND FILL PROCEDURE AND CHEMICAL FLUSH ONLY.





Parts Block

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 97-24-16, 99-6-8
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage.





OPERATION/DESCRIPTION/TIME





DEALER CODING

OASIS CODES: 204000, 204200, 206000, 208000, 208100, 208999, 402000, 497000, 499000