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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.5 L, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 2477 (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 Mariner and 2010 Ford Escape. 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: The engine cooling system is filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant.
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 the DTC CHART  for DTC descriptions.
    5. NOTE: Take note of any coolant odor or steam coming from cooling system components.
  5. If the system coolant is filled correctly and no DTCs associated with fail-safe cooling are retrieved, verify the customer concern by operating the engine to duplicate the condition.
    6. NOTE: Refer to the COOLANT FLOW DIAGRAM  in the Description and Operation.
  6. Inspect to determine if any of the following mechanical or electrical concerns apply.
    VISUAL INSPECTION CHART

    Mechanical Electrical
    • Leaks or weeps at:
      • Hoses
      • Tubes
      • Clamp joints
      • Gaskets
      • O-rings
      • Thermostat housing
      • Radiator
      • Pressure relief cap
      • Coolant pump
      • Heater core (wet floor or coolant odor in vehicle)
      • Degas bottle
      • 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
      • Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) sensor
    VISUAL INSPECTION CHART

    Mechanical Electrical
    • Cracked or damaged:
      • Hoses
      • Tubes
      • Hose clamps
      • Thermostat housing
      • Radiator
      • Pressure relief cap
      • Cooling fan
      • Coolant pump
      • Degas bottle
      • Cylinder block core plugs
      • Cylinder head core plugs
      • Block heater (if equipped)
    • Restricted airflow through the A/C condenser/radiator
    • Drive belt loose, worn or installed incorrectly
    • Broken or weak drive belt tensioner
    • Excessive white or light gray exhaust smoke (may have burnt coolant odor)
    • Coolant in engine oil
    • Engine oil in coolant
    		  
  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.
    1. Inspect the coolant color.
      • If Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant has a clear or pale yellow 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 ethylene glycol to distilled water.
      • A pale green color indicates incorrect coolant (green in color) may have been added to the system. Use of incorrect (green in color) coolant degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant.
        • NOTE: If Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets are used, darkening of the Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan will occur.
      • Dark brown could indicate a commercially available stop leak may have been used. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant.
      • A light or reddish brown color indicates that rust may be present in the cooling system. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft Premium Gold 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 DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
      • A milky brown 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 DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
    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 ethylene glycol 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.
  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. NOTE: Make sure to use the latest scan tool software release.
  10. If the cause is not visually evident, connect the scan tool to the Data Link Connector (DLC).
    11. NOTE: The Vehicle Communication Module (VCM) LED prove out confirms power and ground from the DLC  are provided to the VCM  .
  11. If the scan tool does not communicate with the VCM: 
    • check the VCM  connection to the vehicle.
    • check the scan tool connection to the VCM  .
    • refer to PINPOINT TEST W: NO POWER TO THE SCAN TOOL , No Power To The Scan Tool, to diagnose no power to the scan tool.
  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 DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
    • If the network test passes, retrieve and record Continuous Memory Diagnostic Trouble Codes (CMDTCs).
  14. Clear the CMDTCs  and carry out the self-test diagnostics for the PCM.
  15. If the DTCs recovered are related to the concern, go to the PCM DTC CHART . For all other DTCs, refer to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING .
  16. If no DTCs related to the concern are retrieved, GO to SYMPTOM CHART .
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