Inspection and Verification

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2020 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: 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, coolant can change color. 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 the PCM DTC Chart for DTC descriptions.
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 Quick connect couplings Gaskets O-rings Coolant inlet connector Coolant outlet connector Radiator Pressure relief cap Coolant pump Cabin heater coolant pump Heater core (wet floor or coolant odor in vehicle) Oil cooler (may leak internally or externally) Degas bottle Transmission fluid cooler (may leak internally or externally) Transmission fluid heater coolant control valve Cylinder block core plugs Cylinder head core plugs Block heater (if equipped) EGR cooler (may leak internally or externally) Turbocharger Cracked or damaged: Hoses Tubes Hose clamps Coolant inlet connector Coolant outlet connector Radiator Pressure relief cap Cooling fan Fan clutch Electric cooling fan Coolant pump Degas bottle Transmission fluid cooler Transmission fluid heater coolant control valve Oil cooler Cylinder block core plugs Cylinder head core plugs Block heater (if equipped) EGR cooler Turbocharger Radiator seals Radiator air deflectors 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 Coolant in transmission fluid Engine oil in coolant Transmission fluid in coolant	Inoperative or damaged: Electronically actuated fan clutch Electronically actuated fan clutch controller Electric cooling fan Wiring or connectors ECT sensor CHT

Mechanical

Electrical

Leaks or weeps at:
Hoses
Tubes
Clamp joints
Quick connect couplings
Gaskets
O-rings
Coolant inlet connector
Coolant outlet connector
Radiator
Pressure relief cap
Coolant pump
Cabin heater coolant pump
Heater core (wet floor or coolant odor in vehicle)
Oil cooler (may leak internally or externally)
Degas bottle
Transmission fluid cooler (may leak internally or externally)
Transmission fluid heater coolant control valve
Cylinder block core plugs
Cylinder head core plugs
Block heater (if equipped)
EGR cooler (may leak internally or externally)
Turbocharger
Cracked or damaged:
Hoses
Tubes
Hose clamps
Coolant inlet connector
Coolant outlet connector
Radiator
Pressure relief cap
Cooling fan
Fan clutch
Electric cooling fan
Coolant pump
Degas bottle
Transmission fluid cooler
Transmission fluid heater coolant control valve
Oil cooler
Cylinder block core plugs
Cylinder head core plugs
Block heater (if equipped)
EGR cooler
Turbocharger
Radiator seals
Radiator air deflectors
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
Coolant in transmission fluid
Engine oil in coolant
Transmission fluid in coolant

Inoperative or damaged:
Electronically actuated fan clutch
Electronically actuated fan clutch controller
Electric cooling fan
Wiring or connectors
ECT sensor
CHT

If the inspection reveals an obvious concern that can be readily identified, repair it as necessary.
Test the coolant. REFER to: Coolant Test .
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.