Coolant Test

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.

For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations refer to OEM COLOR CODING .

Inspection

NOTE: Use the correct coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolant types may degrade the coolant corrosion protection and may damage the engine or cooling system. For the correct coolant specified for this vehicle, refer to Specifications .

NOTE: If the cooling system has been drained due to a repair, fill a clear, clean approximately 1 L or 1 qt container with coolant from the drain pan. If the coolant has not been drained from the cooling system, open the radiator draincock to fill a clear, clean approximately 1 L or 1 qt container with coolant.

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.

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- A darker color 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 the appropriate concentrated antifreeze/coolant. Refer to: Specifications . Refer to: Engine Cooling System Flushing - Without Oil or Transmission Fluid Contamination . Refer to: Engine Cooling System Flushing - With Oil or Transmission Fluid Contamination
- 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 the appropriate concentrated antifreeze/coolant. Refer to: Specifications . Refer to: Engine Cooling System Flushing - Without Oil or Transmission Fluid Contamination . Refer to: Engine Cooling System Flushing - With Oil or Transmission Fluid Contamination .
- An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant could indicate a trace of oil is entering the system. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and the appropriate concentrated antifreeze/coolant. Refer to: Specifications . Refer to: Engine . Refer to: Engine Cooling System Flushing - With Oil or Transmission Fluid Contamination . Refer to Engine Cooling System Flushing - Without Oil or Transmission Fluid Contamination
- A milky brown or reddish color may indicate that engine oil or transmission fluid is entering the cooling system. If engine oil is suspected, the cause of the leak may be internal to the engine. If transmission fluid is suspected, install a new transmission cooler. Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of distilled water and the appropriate concentrated antifreeze/coolant. Refer to: Engine . Refer to: Transmission Fluid Cooler - 3.0L Power Stroke Diesel . Refer to: Specifications . Refer to: Engine Cooling System Flushing - With Oil or Transmission Fluid Contamination . Refer to Engine Cooling System Flushing - Without Oil or Transmission Fluid Contamination
1. Inspect the coolant color:
For the shaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with undiluted the appropriate concentrated antifreeze/coolant. For the unshaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with distilled water.

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
For the shaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with undiluted appropriate concentrated antifreeze/coolant. For the unshaded area, drain the quantity listed and fill the cooling system with distilled water.

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
1. Carry out one of the following:
2. If the coolant has been drained from the system due to a repair, add 48 fl oz the appropriate concentrated antifreeze/coolant to the coolant in the drain pan. Stir thoroughly and make sure the coolant is free of any visual debris before returning to the cooling system. Fill and bleed the cooling system using the drained coolant. Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding .
3. If only enough coolant has been drained from the system to carry out the coolant test, drain an additional approximately 1 L or 1 quart from the cooling system via the radiator draincock. Add 48 fl oz the appropriate concentrated antifreeze/coolant to the degas bottle. Fill the degas bottle to the cold fill range with a the correct mixture of the appropriate concentrated antifreeze/coolant and distilled water.