Inspection and Verification

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford F-350 Super Duty and 2018 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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. 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.

Verify the customer concern.
Visually check the engine coolant level at the degas bottle when the system is cold.
Make sure the pressure relief cap is installed correctly.
Record any cooling system Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) retrieved. Refer to PCM DTC Chart .
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 overheating are retrieved, verify the customer concern by operating the engine to duplicate the condition.

Visually inspect for obvious signs of any mechanical or electrical damage.

Visual Inspection Chart

Mechanical	Electrical
Leaks or weeps at: Hoses Tubes Clamp joints Gaskets O-rings Thermostat housing Radiator Pressure relief cap Coolant pump Heater core (wet floor or coolant odor in vehicle) Oil cooler (if equipped) 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 Electronic cooling fan clutch Cooling fan shroud Radiator seals Air deflectors Coolant pump Degas bottle Oil cooler (if equipped) Cylinder block core plugs Cylinder head core plugs Block heater (if equipped) Restricted airflow through the A/C condenser/radiator Drive belt loose, worn or installed incorrectly Broken or weak drive belt tensioner Excessive white or light gray exhaust smoke (may have burnt coolant odor) Coolant in engine oil Engine oil in coolant Coolant in transmission fluid Transmission fluid in coolant	Inoperative or damaged: Electronically actuated cooling fan clutch Wiring, connectors, relays or modules CHT sensor

Mechanical

Electrical

Leaks or weeps at:
Hoses
Tubes
Clamp joints
Gaskets
O-rings
Thermostat housing
Radiator
Pressure relief cap
Coolant pump
Heater core (wet floor or coolant odor in vehicle)
Oil cooler (if equipped)
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
Electronic cooling fan clutch
Cooling fan shroud
Radiator seals
Air deflectors
Coolant pump
Degas bottle
Oil cooler (if equipped)
Cylinder block core plugs
Cylinder head core plugs
Block heater (if equipped)
Restricted airflow through the A/C condenser/radiator
Drive belt loose, worn or installed incorrectly
Broken or weak drive belt tensioner
Excessive white or light gray exhaust smoke (may have burnt coolant odor)
Coolant in engine oil
Engine oil in coolant
Coolant in transmission fluid
Transmission fluid in coolant

Inoperative or damaged:
Electronically actuated cooling fan clutch
Wiring, connectors, relays or modules
CHT sensor

If the inspection reveals an obvious concern that can be readily identified, repair it as necessary.
Inspect the coolant condition.
1. 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 ® 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 ® Gold Antifreeze/Coolant, however, may not change the color or appearance of the orange colored coolant. Detection of contamination with Motorcraft ® Gold Antifreeze/Coolant is determined by the presence of nitrite. If contamination with Motorcraft ® Gold Antifreeze/Coolant 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 Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant. REFER to: Cooling System Flushing .
  - 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 Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant. REFER to: Cooling System Flushing .
  - 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 Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant. REFER to: Cooling System Flushing .
  - 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 Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant. REFER to: Cooling System Flushing .
  - 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 Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant. REFER to: Cooling System Flushing .
  - A red, orange or light green colored sheen on top of the coolant may indicate that transmission fluid is entering the cooling system. The cause may be a internal leak in the radiator. Pressure test the cooling system. Refer to Component Tests . Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and Motorcraft ® Orange Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant. REFER to: Cooling System Flushing .
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 -34'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 -34 °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 specified coolant mixture only.
  - If the engine coolant tests too weak, remove some of the engine coolant and add Motorcraft ® Orange Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant 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.
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.