Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 992

Fig. 2: Torque Specifications - Engine Cooling
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

DESCRIPTION & OPERATION 

ENGINE COOLING 

Gasoline & NGV 

The cooling system components are:  

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block heater  

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fan blade  

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fan clutch  

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fan shroud  

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radiator  

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radiator cap  

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degas bottle  

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radiator draincock  

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water temperature indicator sender unit  

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water thermostat and gasket assembly (4.2L)  

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water thermostat (4.6L, 5.4L)  

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upper radiator hose  

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lower radiator hose  

The water pump circulates the coolant. 

The water thermostat:  

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controls coolant temperature.  

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allows quicker engine warm-up.  

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 meeting 
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.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Engine Cooling - F150 Pickup

  

The degas bottle:  

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holds surplus coolant when hot.  

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de-aerates the system reducing engine hot spots.  

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is the location for service fill.  

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allows coolant expansion and system pressurization.  

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is the air separation during operation.  

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replenishes coolant to system.  

The fan blade draws air through the radiator to help cool the system coolant. 

The fan clutch is a thermostatically controlled clutch that controls the fan speed.  

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The radiator cannot be serviced. Install a new radiator.  

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

The engine coolant flows:  

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from the lower radiator hose to the water pump.  

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from the water pump to the engine block and the cylinder heads. 

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thermostat closed, the coolant returns to the water pump.  

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thermostat open, the coolant flows back to the radiator.  

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to the radiator for heat rejection then back to the lower radiator hose.  

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:  

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Add 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), or Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant 
VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (Yellow color). Use the same 
coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.  

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Do not add/mix Orange-colored Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent 
meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion 

CAUTION: 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.

NOTE:

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

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Engine Cooling - F150 Pickup

  

protection.  

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Do not add alcohol, methanol, or brine, or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. 
These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.  

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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 can harm the engine and cooling system components.  

COOLING SYSTEM - BI-FUEL 

Natural Gas Bi-Fuel 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Engine Cooling - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 3: Identifying Cooling System - Natural Gas Bi-Fuel

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Engine Cooling - F150 Pickup