Engine Cooling

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Ford Pickup, 2005 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2005 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2005 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.

The cooling system components are the:

Block heater
Fan blade
Fan clutch
Fan shroud
Radiator
Degas bottle
Pressure relief cap
Radiator draincock
Coolant pump
Coolant thermostat
Oil filter adapter
Upper radiator hose
Lower radiator hose
Degas bottle supply hose
Fan stator - 6.0L
Engine appearance cover - 6.0L

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:

CAUTION: With the engine cold, fill vehicles without a yellow fill level decal on the degas bottle only to the MIN line. The correct fill level on these vehicles is between the MIN line and 15 mm (0.59 in) below the MIN line. Fill vehicles with a yellow fill level decal to within the yellow cold fill range shown on the decal. These fill levels will allow for coolant expansion. Overfilling the degas bottle may result in damage to the pressure cap, which can cause the engine to overheat.

Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in California, Oregon and New Mexico VC-7-B, in Canada CVC-7-A) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.
Do not add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2, 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 antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets with the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components. Do not mix coolant types.