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Home >> Ford >> 2018 >> Focus SEL, 4D Hatchback >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different variant/trim >> Section 6 (Engine Cooling - 2.3L ECOBOOST (257KW/350PS) - Mi4) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Engine Cooling >> Inspection and Verification

Inspection and Verification

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.
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, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding . 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 DTC Chart  for DTC descriptions.
  5. NOTE: Take note of any coolant odor or steam coming from cooling system components.

    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)
    Engine oil cooler (may leak internally or externally)
    Power Transfer Unit (PTU) cooler
    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
    Power Transfer Unit (PTU) cooler
    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
    ECT sensor
  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, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding  .

      • 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, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding  .

      • 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, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding  .

      • 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, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding  .

      • 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, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding  .

    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 no Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) related to the concern are retrieved, GO to Symptom Chart .
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