Engine Cooling: Notes

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.

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: Stop-leak style pellets/products must not be used as an additive in this engine cooling system. The addition of stop-leak style pellets/products can clog or damage the cooling system, resulting in degraded cooling system performance and/or failure.

The cooling system components are the:

block heater (if equipped).
radiator.
bypass tube.
pressure relief cap.
degas bottle.
radiator draincock.
coolant pump.
thermostat (cold side).
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor.
variable speed fan motor assembly.
fan control module.
engine block coolant weep hole (3.5L only).

On 3.5L engines the coolant pump is located under the engine front cover mounted to the block. A weep hole is provided on the front left side of the engine behind the generator. It is adjacent to a 13.5 mm (0.531 in) cup plug. This plug and weep hole create a reservoir for normal coolant seepage and evaporation. Every coolant pump will have some leakage past the dynamic mechanical seal. Dampness and crusting around the weep hole is acceptable and an expected result of normal engine operation. Coolant spray or leakage amounts great enough to puddle should be addressed.

Fig 1: Locating Engine Block Coolant Weep Hole

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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 the correct coolant type to the engine cooling system. 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 different coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of the original coolant. Do not mix any type of coolants.
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.
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles.
Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Follow the community's regulations and standards for recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.