Coolant Test
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup, 2012 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2012 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2012 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
SPECIAL TOOLS CHART
| 3-Way HD Antifreeze Coolant Test Kit 328-00001 or equivalent |
|
| Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination Kit 328-00008 or equivalent |
MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated VC-3-B (US); CVC-3-B2 (Canada) |
WSS-M97B44-D |
| Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer VC-12 |
- |
NOTE:
Use only Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Coolant Revitalizer VC-12 as an additive to Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Do not mix with or add any other coolant additive. Use of any additive other than Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Coolant Revitalizer VC-12 degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant and may damage the engine or cooling system components.
NOTE:
If the cooling system has been drained due to a repair, fill a clear, clean approximately 1 L or 1 qt container with coolant from the drain pan. If the coolant has not been drained from the cooling system, open the radiator draincock to fill a clear, clean approximately 1 L or 1 qt container with coolant.
NOTE:
During normal vehicle operation, Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine 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.
- Inspect the coolant color.
- 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® Specialty Orange Engine 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 Coolant, however, may not change the color or appearance of the orange colored coolant. Detection of contamination with Premium Gold Engine Coolant is determined by the presence of nitrite. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing - Without Fuel or Transmission Fluid Contamination .
- 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 in the coolant sample, flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing - Without Fuel or Transmission Fluid Contamination .
- 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® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing - Without Fuel or Transmission Fluid Contamination .
- An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant could indicate a trace of fuel is entering the system. Install a new fuel cooler. For additional information, refer to FUEL CHARGING AND CONTROLS - FUEL COOLING SYSTEM . Flush the cooling system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing - With Fuel or Transmission Fluid Contamination .
- A reddish or milky pink color could indicate that transmission fluid is entering the cooling system. Install a new transmission fluid cooler. For additional information, refer to TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION COOLING . Flush the cooling system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing - With Fuel or Transmission Fluid Contamination .
- 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® Specialty Orange Engine 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 Coolant, however, may not change the color or appearance of the orange colored coolant. Detection of contamination with Premium Gold Engine Coolant is determined by the presence of nitrite. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Refer to Cooling System Flushing - Without Fuel or Transmission Fluid Contamination .
- For the shaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with undiluted Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. For the unshaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with distilled water.
- For the shaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with undiluted Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. For the unshaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with distilled water.
- Carry out one of the following:
- If the coolant has been drained from the system due to a repair, add 16 oz Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Coolant Revitalizer VC-12 to the coolant in the drain pan. Stir thoroughly and make sure the coolant is free of any visual debris before returning to the cooling system. Fill and bleed the cooling system using the drained coolant. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding .
- If only enough coolant has been drained from the system to carry out the coolant test, add 16 oz Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Coolant Revitalizer VC-12 to the degas bottle. Fill the degas bottle to the cold fill range with a 50/50 mixture of Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant and distilled water.