LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone
Home >> Ford >> 2012 >> Focus S, Standard Trans, Gas >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 9 (Engine Cooling System - 2.0L ECOBOOST) >> Diagnosis and Testing >> Engine Cooling >> Inspection and Verification

Inspection and Verification

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Focus. 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® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the manufacturer's specified coolant. Chemically flush the cooling system if a non-specified coolant has been used. Refer to Cooling System Draining and Vacuum Filling  . Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.
NOTE: During normal vehicle operation, Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant may change color from orange to pink or light red. As long as the engine coolant is clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.
  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 Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) retrieved. Refer to the PCM 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 Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) associated with fail-safe cooling are retrieved, verify the customer concern by operating the engine to duplicate the condition.
  6. Visually inspect for obvious signs of any mechanical or electrical damage.
    VISUAL INSPECTION CHART

    Mechanical Electrical
    • Leaks or weeps at:
      • Hoses
      • Tubes
      • Hose clamps
      • Engine gaskets (may leak internally or externally)
      • Thermostat housing
      • Radiator
      • Pressure relief cap
      • Coolant pump
      • Turbocharger (may leak internally or externally) (if equipped)
      • Engine oil cooler (may leak internally or externally) (if equipped)
      • Heater core (wet floor or coolant odor in vehicle)
      • Degas bottle
      • Cylinder block core plugs
      • Cylinder head core plugs
      • Block heater (if equipped)
    • Cracked or damaged:
      • Hoses
      • Tubes
      • Hose clamps
      • Thermostat housing
      • Radiator
      • Pressure relief cap
      • Cooling fan
      • Coolant pump
      • Turbocharger
      • Engine oil cooler (if equipped)
      • Degas bottle
      • Cylinder block core plugs
      • Cylinder head core plugs
      • Block heater (if equipped)
    • Restricted airflow through the A/C  condenser/radiator
    • Excessive white or light gray exhaust smoke (may have burnt coolant odor)
    • Coolant in engine oil
    • Engine oil in coolant
    • Inoperative or damaged:
      • Electric cooling fan
      • Wiring, connectors, relays or modules
      • CHT sensor
      • VSS
  7. If the inspection reveals an obvious concern that can be readily identified, repair it as necessary.
  8. Inspect the coolant condition.
    1. Inspect the coolant color.
      • If Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant has a clear or pale color, this indicates higher water content than required. Test the engine coolant freezing point range with the Coolant/Battery Refractometer. Maintain the coolant concentration within 48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze point between -31° C and -37°C (-30°F and -34°F). If the vehicle is driven in cold climates less than -37° C (-34° F), it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration to get adequate freeze protection. Recommended coolant concentration is 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -31° C to -37°C [-30° F to -34°F]) engine coolant to distilled water.
      • Discoloration may indicate that incorrect coolant may have been added to the system. Use of incorrect (green or yellow in color) coolant degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Addition of Motorcraft® Specialty Green Engine Coolant may cause the color to appear to be a murky green-brown color. The addition of Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent, however, may not change the color or appearance of Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Detection of contamination with Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent is determined by the presence of nitrite. If contamination with Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent is suspected, test the coolant with the 3-Way HD Antifreeze Coolant Test Kit. Follow the nitrite testing directions in the kit to determine if nitrite is present in the system. If nitrite is present, flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant.

        REFER to: Cooling System Draining and Vacuum Filling  .

      • A darker orange with the presence of debris could indicate a commercially available stop leak may have been used and could result in loss of coolant flow to critical parts of the engine. If sediment is present, flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant.

        REFER to: Cooling System Draining and Vacuum Filling  .

      • 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® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant.

        REFER to: Cooling System Draining and Vacuum Filling  .

      • An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant could indicate a trace of oil is entering the system. For engine diagnosis,

        REFER to: ENGINE .

        Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. REFER to: Cooling System Draining and Vacuum Filling  .

      • 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. For engine diagnosis,

        REFER to: ENGINE .

        Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. REFER to: Cooling System Draining and Vacuum Filling  .

    2. If the engine coolant appearance is acceptable, test the engine coolant freezing point range with the Coolant/Battery Refractometer. Maintain the coolant concentration within 48% to 50%, which equates to a freeze point between -31° C and -37°C (-30° F and -34°F). If the vehicle is driven in cold climates less than -36.7 C (-34 F), it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration to get adequate freeze protection. Recommended coolant concentration is 48% to 50% (freeze protection -31° C to -37°C [-30° F to -34°F]) engine coolant 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 Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted.
      • If the engine coolant tests too weak, remove some of the engine coolant and add Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated 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 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.
    • No Power To The Scan Tool, to diagnose no power to the scan tool

      REFER to: COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK .

  12. If the scan tool does not communicate with the vehicle:
    • Verify the ignition key is in the ON position.
    • Verify the scan tool operation with a known good vehicle.
    • To diagnose no response from the PCM

      REFER to: COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK .

  13. Carry out the network test.
    • If the scan tool responds with no communication for one or more modules,

      REFER to: COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK .

    • If the network test passes, retrieve and record Continuous Memory Diagnostic Trouble Codes (CMDTCs).
  14. Clear the continuous Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and carry out the self-test diagnostics PCM
  15. If the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) recovered are related to the concern, go to the PCM DTC CHART . For all other PCM Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs),

    REFER to: ELECTRONIC ENGINE CONTROLS .

  16. If no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) related to the concern are retrieved, GO to Symptom Chart .
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals