Pinpoint Test B: The System Overheats

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. 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.

B1 CARRY OUT INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION
- Carry out the INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION procedure.
- Were any concerns found?
- Yes : REPAIR as needed. TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : GO to B2.
B2 CHECK FOR PCM DTCs
- Check for PCM DTCs P007D or P2185.
- Is DTC P007D or P2185 present?
- Yes : GO to B3.
- No : Actual system overheating has not been verified. If any other PCM DTCs are retrieved, REFER to the ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS - DIESEL ENGINES .
B3 CHECK FOR NON-OEM ENGINE ENHANCEMENT COMPONENTS
- Check the engine for any non-OEM components.
- Are there any non-OEM components on the engine?
- Yes : ADVISE the customer the engine modifications may be causing the secondary cooling system to overheat.
- No : GO to B4.
B4 CHECK FOR AN AIRFLOW OBSTRUCTION
- Check the radiator or A/C condenser for an obstruction such as leaves or cardboard.
- Is an obstruction present?
- Yes : REMOVE the obstruction. TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : GO to B5.
B5 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
NOTE: Allow the engine to cool before checking the coolant level.
- Ignition OFF.
- Visually check the system coolant level in the degas bottle.
- Is the coolant level within specification?
- Yes : GO to B6.
- No : ADJUST the coolant level as necessary. GO to B6.
B6 PRESSURE TEST THE COOLING SYSTEM
- Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TEST .
- Does the cooling system leak?
- Yes : REPAIR or INSTALL new components. TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : GO to B7.
B7 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT FOR AN INTERNAL LEAK
- Inspect the engine coolant in the degas bottle for signs of fuel or transmission fluid.
- Is fuel or transmission fluid evident in the coolant?
- Yes : If fuel is evident, INSTALL a new fuel cooler. REFER to FUEL CHARGING AND CONTROLS - FUEL COOLING SYSTEM . If transmission fluid is evident, INSTALL a new transmission fluid cooler. REFER to TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION COOLING . REPAIR the transmission as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION - TORQSHIFT 6 . TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : GO to B8.
B8 CHECK THE FUEL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR COOLANT
- Drain the fuel from the fuel conditioning module. Remove the oil level indicator from transmission.
- Is coolant evident in the fuel or transmission fluid?
- Yes : If coolant is in the fuel, INSTALL a new fuel cooler. REFER to FUEL CHARGING AND CONTROLS - FUEL COOLING SYSTEM . If coolant is in the transmission fluid, INSTALL a new transmission fluid cooler. REFER to TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION COOLING . REPAIR the transmission as necessary. REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION - TORQSHIFT 6 . TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : GO to B9.
B9 CHECK THE CHARGE AIR COOLER (CAC) FOR AN INTERNAL LEAK
- Carry out the CAC leak test. REFER to INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTION & FILTERING .
- Does the CAC leak?
- Yes : INSTALL a new CAC. REFER to INTAKE AIR DISTRIBUTION & FILTERING . TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : GO to B10.
B10 CHECK THE EGR COOLER FOR AN INTERNAL LEAK
- CARRY OUT the EGR cooler leak test. REFER to ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL .
- Does the EGR cooler leak?
- Yes : REPAIR the EGR cooler as necessary. REFER to ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL . TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : GO to B11.
B11 CHECK COOLANT CONDITION
- Carry out the coolant test. Refer to COOLANT TEST .
- Is the coolant condition OK?
- Yes : GO to B12.
- No : FLUSH the cooling system. REFER to COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHING - WITHOUT FUEL OR TRANSMISSION FLUID CONTAMINATION . TEST the system for normal operation.
B12 CHECK THE COOLANT PUMP OPERATION
- Start the engine.
- Observe the coolant in the degas bottle. The coolant should flow through the bottle. Compare the coolant flow to a known good vehicle.
- Does the coolant flow through the degas bottle?
- Yes : GO to B13.
- No : INSTALL a new coolant pump. TEST the system for normal operation.
B13 CHECK THE THERMOSTAT OPERATION
- Start the engine.
- For DTC P007D, allow the engine to run for 10 minutes. Feel the coolant pump-to-radiator hose at the LH inlet, and the radiator-to-CAC and fuel cooler hose.
- For DTC P2185, allow the engine to run for 10 minutes. Feel the coolant pump-to-radiator hose at the RH inlet, the radiator-to-transmission fluid cooler hose and the radiator-to-EGR cooler hose.
- Are the hoses approximately the same temperature?
- Yes : GO to B14.
- No : The system is operational. CHECK the operation of the CACT sensor and the ECT sensor - secondary cooling system ECT2. REFER to the INTRODUCTION - DIESEL MODELS .
B14 VISUALLY INSPECT THE THERMOSTAT
- Carry out the THERMOSTAT VISUAL INSPECTION in the Component Tests portion of this article.
- Is the thermostat damaged?
- Yes : INSTALL a new thermostat. TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : INSTALL a new thermostat. TEST the system for normal operation. If the engine still overheats, GO to B15.
B15 CHECK THE COOLING FAN CLUTCH OPERATION
- Ignition OFF.
- Check the cooling fan clutch operation. Refer to the INTRODUCTION - DIESEL MODELS .
- Is the cooling fan clutch operation OK?
- Yes : INSTALL a new radiator. TEST the system for normal operation.
- No : INSTALL a new fan clutch. TEST the system for normal operation.