Cooling System-Liquid Propane Gas Bi-Fuel

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford RV Cutaway, 2003 Ford Econoline, 2003 Ford E550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2003 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: Identifying Cooling System-Liquid Propane Gas Bi-Fuel

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Some vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (green color). Others are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.

NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.

Walter C. Avrea, the owner of patents 3,601,181 and RE 27,965, has granted Ford Motor Company rights with respect to cooling systems covered by these patents.

The cooling system components are the:

Block heater (6A051)
Engine coolant temperature sensor (ECT sensor) (12A648) - 4.6L engine
Fan blade (8600)
Fan clutch (8A616)
Fan shroud (8146)
Radiator (8005)
Pressure relief cap
Degas bottle (8A080)
Radiator draincock (8115)
Water pump (8501)
Water temperature indicator sender unit (10884)
Water thermostat (8575)
Oil filter adapter (6881)

The radiator allows excess engine heat to be transferred to the air.

Radiator cannot be serviced. Install a new radiator.

The water pump circulates the coolant.

The water thermostat:

Controls the engine coolant temperature.
Allows quicker engine warm-up.

The Gades bottle:

Provides a location for service fill.
Contains coolant expansion and system pressurization.
Provides air separation during operation.
Replenishes the engine coolant to the system.

The fan blade draws air through the radiator to help cool the engine coolant.

The fan clutch is a thermostatically controlled clutch that controls the fan blade.

The engine coolant flows:

From the lower radiator hose (8286) to the water pump.
From the water pump to the engine block and the cylinder heads.

A closed water thermostat returns the engine coolant to the water pump; an open water thermostat allows the engine coolant to flow to the radiator.

CAUTION: 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 Gades 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 (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (green color), or Motorcraft Premium Gold Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford Specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.
The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
Do not add/mix orange colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
Do not add alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol anti-freeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A or WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components.