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Home >> Ford >> 2018 >> Taurus Limited, FWD, Gas >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 52 (Engine Cooling - 2.0L DURATEC-He (129KW/175PS)) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Engine Cooling >> Diagnostic Routine(s) >> Pinpoint Test B : The Engine Overheats

Pinpoint Test B : The Engine Overheats

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford EcoSport. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Normal Operation and Fault Conditions 

    The engine cooling system maintains the engine temperature during operation. Correct coolant flow through the engine, radiator and remainder of cooling system passages and components is essential to maintaining a correct engine temperature.

    Engine coolant flows primarily from the engine to the radiator circuit and back to the coolant pump. Coolant is sent from the coolant pump through the engine block and cylinder heads. A separate circuit from the engine also feeds the heater core with coolant. The coolant pump circulates the coolant. The coolant thermostat is a control valve actuated by coolant temperature. When the thermostat is closed, coolant flow bypasses the radiator circuit and returns to the coolant pump. When the thermostat is opened, coolant flows through the radiator circuit to transfer engine-generated heat to the outside air.

    Engine overheating generally occurs when there is a disruption in the ability to control either coolant flow at the correct rate, the inability to transfer heat from the engine through the coolant (including low coolant) or an inability to transfer engine-generated heat to the outside air through the radiator.

    DTC Fault Trigger Conditions 

    DTC Description Fault Trigger Condition
    PCM P0217:00 Engine Coolant Overtemperature Condition: No Sub Type Information Sets in the PCM when an engine overheat condition was detected by the ECT sensor.
    PCM P1285:00 Cylinder Head Overtemperature Condition: No Sub Type Information Sets in the PCM when an engine overheat condition was detected.
    PCM P1299:00 Cylinder Head Overtemperature Protection Active: No Sub Type Information Sets in the PCM when an engine overheat condition was detected. A failure mode effects management strategy called fail-safe cooling was activated to cool the engine.

    Possible Sources 

    • Low coolant level
    • External engine coolant leak
    • Airlock in system
    • Pressure relief cap installation
    • Restricted airflow through A/C condenser/radiator
    • Internal engine coolant leak
    • Coolant condition/concentration
    • Non-OEM engine enhancement components
    • Electric cooling fan
    • ECT sensor
    • Radiator
    • Thermostat
    • Temperature gauge
    • Coolant pump
    • Coolant flow restriction
    • Active grill shudder assembly

  2. B1 CARRY OUT INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION

    • Carry out the Inspection and Verification procedure in this service information.

    Are any concerns present? 

    Yes  REPAIR as needed.
    No  GO to  B2

  3. 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 .

  4. B3 CHECK FOR AN AIRFLOW OBSTRUCTION AND MISSING AIR DEFLECTORS

    NOTE: 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  If the vehicle is equipped with active grill shutters, GO to  B4 If the vehicle is not equipped with active grill shutter, GO to  B5

  5. B4 CHECK THE ACTIVE GRILL SHUTTER OPERATION

    • Start the engine and allow it to idle for at least 30 seconds to allow for the grille shutter calibration to complete.

    • Using a diagnostic scan tool, view PCM Parameter Identifications (PIDs).

    • Using a scan tool, select the PCM Parameter Identification (PID) GRILL_A_CMD and active command the grille shutter from 100% (open) to 0% (closed) while observing the grille shutter operation from the front of the vehicle.

    Does the grille shutter fully open and close when commanded by the scan tool? 

    Yes  GO to  B5
    No  Diagnose the active grille shutter is inoperative or does not operate correctly, Refer to: Active Grille Shutter .

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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  GO to  B8

  9. B8 CHECK THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR COMBUSTION GASES

    NOTE: Use UView® Combustion Leak Tester part number UVU560000-R or equivalent.

    • Using a cooling system combustion gas leak tester, following the instructions supplied with the tester, check the coolant for combustion gases.

    Are combustion gases present? 

    Yes  Refer to: Engine .
    No  GO to  B9

  10. B9 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.

    Yes  GO to  B10
    No  DIAGNOSE the electric cooling fan operation. Refer to Engine Controls - Symptom Charts (Except Diesel & Hybrid) .

  11. B10 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  B11
    No  Bleed the cooling system to remove any air. Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding . REPEAT pinpoint test step. If the concern remains INSTALL a new coolant pump. Refer to: Coolant Pump .

  12. B11 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  B12

  13. B12 VISUALLY INSPECT THE THERMOSTAT

    • Carry out the Thermostat Visual Inspection in the Component Tests portion of this service information.

    Is the thermostat damaged? 

    Yes  INSTALL a new thermostat. Refer to: Thermostat Housing .
    No  INSTALL a new thermostat. Refer to: Thermostat Housing . If the engine still overheats, INSTALL a new radiator. Refer to: Radiator .
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