Pinpoint Test B : The Engine Overheats
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford Edge. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- B1 CARRY OUT INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION
- Carry out Inspection and Verification .
Are any concerns present?
Yes REPAIR as needed. No GO to B2 - B2 CHECK FOR PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) DTCS
- Ignition ON.
- Using a scan tool, perform PCM self-test.
Is DTC P0217 and/or P1299 present?
Yes GO to B3 No Actual engine overheating has not been verified. CHECK the engine coolant temperature gauge operation. REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes . If any other PCM DTCs are retrieved, REFER to: Electronic Engine Controls . - B3 CHECK THE ACTIVE GRILL SHUTTER OPERATION
- Start the engine and let it idle for at least 30 seconds to allow the grille shutter calibration to complete.
- Using a scan tool, view PCM PIDs.
- Select the GRILL_A_CMD PID and active command the grille shutter from 100% (open) to 0% (close) while visually inspecting the grill shutter operation from the front of the vehicle.
Does the shutter fully open and close?
Yes GO to B4 No Diagnose the active grill shutter is inoperative or does not operate correctly, REFER to: Active Grille Shutter . - B4 CHECK FOR AN AIRFLOW OBSTRUCTION AND MISSING AIR DEFLECTORSNOTE: Verify no vehicle front end damage is present.
- Check the radiator or A/C condenser for an external obstruction such as leaves or cardboard and verify all air deflectors are present.
Is an airflow obstruction present or air deflectors missing?
Yes REPAIR as necessary. No GO to B5 - B5 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL AND PRESSURE TEST THE COOLING SYSTEM
- Ignition OFF.
- Visually check the engine coolant level in the coolant expansion tank and adjust as necessary. Pressure test the cooling system.
Does the engine cooling system leak externally?
Yes REPAIR or INSTALL new components. No GO to B6 - B6 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT FOR AN INTERNAL LEAK
- Inspect the engine coolant in the coolant expansion tank for signs of engine oil.
Is engine oil evident in the coolant?
Yes REFER to: Engine . No GO to B7 - B7 CHECK THE ENGINE OIL FOR COOLANT
- Remove the oil level indicator from the engine.
Is coolant evident in the oil?
Yes REFER to: Engine . No For vehicles equipped with a Transmission Fluid Warmer, GO to B8 Vehicles NOT equipped with a Transmission Fluid Warmer, GO to B10 - B8 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT FOR TRANSMISSION FLUID
- Check the engine coolant in the degas bottle for signs of transmission fluid.
Is transmission fluid evident in the engine coolant?
Yes INSTALL a new Transmission Fluid Warmer. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Warmer . REPAIR the transmission as necessary. REFER to: Automatic Transmission - 2.7L EcoBoost (238kW/324PS) . TEST the system for normal operation. No GO to B9 - B9 CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR ENGINE COOLANT
- Remove the transmission oil leveling plug.
- Check the transmission fluid for engine coolant.
Is engine coolant evident in the transmission fluid?
Yes INSTALL a new Transmission Fluid Warmer. REFER to: Transmission Fluid Warmer . REPAIR the transmission as necessary. REFER to: Automatic Transmission - 2.7L EcoBoost (238kW/324PS) . TEST the system for normal operation. No GO to B10 - B10 CHECK THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR COMBUSTION GASESNOTE: Use UView® Combustion Leak Tester part number UVU560000-R or equivalent.
- Using a cooling system combustion gas leak tester, and following the instructions supplied with the tester, check the coolant for combustion gases.
Are combustion gases present?
Yes REFER to: Engine . No GO to B11 - B11 CHECK COOLANT CONDITION
- Check the coolant for dirt, rust or contamination and check the coolant concentration.
Is the coolant condition OK?
Yes GO to B12 No FLUSH the engine cooling system. REFER to: Engine Cooling System Flushing . - B12 CHECK THE ELECTRIC COOLING FAN OPERATION
- Start the engine.
- Place the climate control function selector in the MAX A/C position and the blower motor switch in the HI position.
Did the electric cooling fan operate?
Yes GO to B13 No DIAGNOSE the electric cooling fan operation. Refer to Engine Controls - Symptom Charts (Except Diesel & Hybrid) . - B13 CHECK THE COOLANT PUMP OPERATION
- Start the engine.
- Allow the engine to run for 30 minutes. Place the climate control function selector in the MAX HEAT position. Feel the heater outlet hose.
Is the heater outlet hose hot?
Yes GO to B14 No INSTALL a new coolant pump. REFER to: Coolant Pump . - B14 CHECK THE THERMOSTAT OPERATION
- Start the engine.
- Allow the engine to run for 30 minutes. Place the climate control function selector in the MAX HEAT position. Feel the lower radiator hose.
Is the lower radiator hose hot?
Yes CHECK the temperature gauge operation. REFER to: Instrumentation, Message Center and Warning Chimes . No GO to B15 - B15 VISUALLY INSPECT THE THERMOSTAT
- Carry out the Thermostat Visual Inspection. Refer to Thermostat .
Is the thermostat damaged?
Yes INSTALL a new thermostat. REFER to: Thermostat . No INSTALL a new thermostat. REFER to: Thermostat . If the engine still overheats, INSTALL a new radiator. REFER to: Radiator .