Engine Cooling

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Ford Ranger. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Some vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (Green color). Others are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (Yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.

NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from Yellow to Golden Tan.

The engine cooling system consists of the:

block heater (6A051) (optional)
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) sensor (12A648)
engine temperature sender unit
fan blade (8600)
fan clutch (8A616)
fan shroud (8146)
radiator (8005)
pressure cap (8100)
radiator coolant recovery reservoir (3.0L and 4.0L engines)(8A080)
degas bottle (2.3L engines)
water thermostat (8575)
water pump (8501)
Water Temperature Sender (WTS) (10884)
radiator draincock (8115)
oil filter adapter (6881)

The radiator allows excess engine heat to be transferred to the air.

Radiator tanks cannot be repaired, install as an assembly.

For the 2.3L engine, the thermostat and housing must be serviced as an assembly.

Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle or coolant expansion tank.

When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and clean, drinkable water.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

Add Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (VC-5 in Oregon, CXC-10 in Canada) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (Green color), or Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (Yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.

NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from Yellow to Golden Tan.

Do not add or mix Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent, meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
Do not add alcohol, methanol, brine, or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A or WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components.

The water temperature indicator sender unit provides a signal to the temperature gauge.

The optional block heater:

electrical heating element is installed in the core plug opening.
- uses a standard 110V electrical supply
keeps the engine coolant warm during cold weather.