Engine Cooling

The cooling system components are the:

• radiator.
• bypass tube.
• pressure relief cap.
• degas bottle.
• radiator draincock.
• coolant pump.
• coolant temperature indicator sender unit.
• thermostat housing.

The degas bottle has 2 reservoirs and 2 pressure relief caps. The front (larger) reservoir and pressure relief cap is part of the engine cooling system. The rear (smaller) reservoir and pressure relief cap is part of the motor electronics cooling system. The 2 reservoirs are separate and both cooling systems are independent of each other. For information on the motor electronics cooling system, refer to TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION COOLING - HYBRID article.

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 or equivalent (yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.
• Do not add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D or green-colored Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant or equivalent (green color) meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A or equivalent. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
• Do not add alcohol, methanol or 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 unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet this Ford specification. Use of such a coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components. Do not mix coolant types.

Fig 1: Coolant Flow Diagram Components - 2.3L

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.