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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.5 L, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 2349 (Engine Cooling System (Except Hybrid)) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Engine Cooling >> Inspection and Verification

Inspection and Verification

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Milan, 2010 Lincoln MKZ, and 2010 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING: Always allow the engine to cool before opening the cooling system. Do not unscrew the coolant pressure relief cap when the engine is operating or the cooling system is hot. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
NOTE: Early build vehicle (built before July 6, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Late build vehicle (built on or after July 6, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Specialty Green Engine Coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of the coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.
NOTE: Vehicles have the pressure relief cap on the degas bottle and no radiator cap.
  1. Verify the customer concern.
  2. Visually check the engine coolant level at the degas bottle when the system is cold.
  3. Make sure the pressure relief cap is installed correctly.
  4. Record any cooling system DTCs retrieved. Refer to PCM DTC TABLE  for DTC descriptions.
  5. If the system coolant is filled correctly and no DTCs associated with fail-safe cooling are retrieved, verify the customer's concern by operating the engine to duplicate the condition.
    NOTE: Take note of any coolant odor or steam coming from cooling system components.
  6. Inspect to determine if any of the following mechanical or electrical concerns apply.
    NOTE: Refer to the coolant flow diagram in ENGINE COOLING .
    VISUAL INSPECTION TABLE

    Mechanical Electrical
    • Leaks or weeps at:
      • Hoses
      • Tubes
      • Clamp joints
      • Gaskets
      • O-rings
      • Thermostat housing
      • Radiator
      • Pressure relief cap
      • Coolant pump weep hole (LH side of block, 3.5L only)
      • Heater core (wet floor or coolant odor in vehicle)
      • Degas bottle
      • Coolant pump housing
      • Cylinder block core plugs
      • Cylinder head core plugs
      • Block heater (if equipped)
    • Inoperative or damaged:
      • Electric cooling fan
      • Wiring, connectors, relays or modules
      • Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT) sensor (if equipped)
      • Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS)
      • Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor (if equipped)
    VISUAL INSPECTION TABLE

    Mechanical Electrical
    • Cracked or damaged:
      • Hoses
      • Tubes
      • Hose clamps
      • Thermostat housing
      • Radiator
      • Pressure relief cap
      • Cooling fan
      • Coolant pump
      • Degas bottle
      • Coolant pump housing
      • Cylinder block core plugs
      • Cylinder head core plugs
      • Block heater (if equipped)
    • Restricted airflow through the A/C condenser/radiator
    • Excessive white or light gray exhaust smoke (may have burnt coolant odor)
    • Coolant in engine oil
    • Engine oil in coolant
    • Coolant in automatic transmission fluid (if equipped)
    • Automatic transmission fluid (if equipped) in coolant
    • Engine vent hose check valve installed correctly (3.5L only)
    		 -
  7. If the inspection reveals an obvious concern that can be readily identified, repair it as necessary. Test the system for normal operation.
  8. Inspect the coolant condition in the following sequence:
    1. Inspect the coolant color.
      • If the coolant has a clear or pale color, this indicates higher water content than required. Test the engine coolant freezing point range with the Coolant/Battery Refractometer. The freezing point should be in the range -45°C to -23°C (-50°F to -10°F). If the vehicle is driven in cold climates less than -36°C (-34°F), it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration to get adequate freeze protection. Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 coolant to distilled water.
      • Dark coolant could indicate a commercially available stop leak may have been used. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and the correct engine coolant.
        NOTE: If stop leak pellets are used, darkening of the coolant will occur.
      • Reddish brown particles indicate that rust may be present in the cooling system. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and the correct engine coolant.
      • An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant could indicate a trace of oil is entering the system. For information on engine diagnosis, refer to ENGINE .
      • A milky color may indicate that engine oil is entering the cooling system. Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to COMPONENT TESTS . If engine oil is suspected, the cause of the leak may be internal to the engine. Refer to ENGINE .
      • A red, orange or light-green colored sheen on top of the coolant may indicate that transmission fluid is entering the cooling system. The cause may be a leaky radiator. Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to COMPONENT TESTS .
    2. If the engine coolant appearance is acceptable, test the engine coolant freezing point range with the Coolant/Battery Refractometer. The freezing point should be in the range -45°C to -23°C (-50°F to -10°F). If the vehicle is driven in cold climates less than -36°C (-34°F), it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration to get adequate freeze protection. Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 coolant to distilled water.
      • Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
      • Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
    3. Adjust coolant range and level if necessary:
      • If coolant is low, add specified coolant mixture only.
      • If the engine coolant tests too weak, remove some of the engine coolant and add undiluted engine coolant until the readings are within acceptable levels.
      • If the engine coolant tests strong, remove some of the engine coolant and add distilled water until the readings are within acceptable levels.
    NOTE: Early build vehicle (built before July 6, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Late build vehicle (built on or after July 6, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Specialty Green Engine Coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of the coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.
  9. If an obvious cause for an observed or reported concern is found, correct the cause and test the system for normal operation before proceeding to the next step.
  10. If the cause is not visually evident, connect the scan tool to the Data Link Connector (DLC).
    NOTE: Make sure to use the latest scan tool software release.
  11. If the scan tool does not communicate with the VCM  :
    NOTE: The Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) LED prove out confirms power and ground from the DLC are provided to the VCM  .
  12. If the scan tool does not communicate with the vehicle:
  13. Carry out the network test.
    • If the scan tool responds with no communication for one or more modules, refer to INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION .
    • If the network test passes, retrieve and record continuous memory DTCs.
  14. Clear the continuous DTCs and carry out the self-test diagnostics PCM.
  15. If the DTCs recovered are related to the concern, go to PCM DTC TABLE . For all other DTCs, refer to DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) TABLE .
  16. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, GO to SYMPTOM TABLE .
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