Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 997

2. Block off areas on each side of the radiator in the engine compartment and the front of the radiator grille 

(8200). This will raise the temperature of the air striking the fan clutch and should cause the fan to 
operate at maximum speed.  

3. Place the climate control function selector switch in the MAX A/C position and the blower motor switch 

in the HI position.  

4. Adjust the strobe light to 3,000 RPM. 

5. Start the engine and adjust the engine speed until the strobe light flash and the water pump pulley mark 

are synchronized.  

6. Aim the strobe light at the fan blade retaining bolts. Adjust the strobe light until the light flash is 

synchronized with the marked fan blade retaining bolt (fan blade appears to stand still).  

7. If the fan blade speed is less than 2,300 RPM, install a new fan clutch.  

GENERAL PROCEDURES 

COOLING SYSTEM DRAINING, FILLING & BLEEDING 

Material 

speed.

WARNING:

As WARNING: To avoid the possibility of personal injury or damage 
to the vehicle, do not operate the engine until the fan blade has been 
first examined for possible cracks and separation. Failure to follow 
these instructions may result in personal injury.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Engine Cooling - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 15: Material Specification 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

Draining 

1. Make sure the engine is cool.  

2. Wrap a thick cloth around the coolant pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir. Slowly turn the cap 

counterclockwise (left) until the pressure begins to release.  

3. Step back while the pressure releases.  

4. When you are sure all the pressure has been released, use the cloth to turn and remove the cap.  

5. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock (8115). If equipped, disconnect the coolant return 

hose at the oil cooler. Open the radiator draincock.  

6. Close the radiator draincock when finished.  

Filling 

WARNING:

Never remove the pressure relief cap while the engine is operating or 
when the cooling system is hot. Failure to follow these instructions can 
result in damage to the cooling system or engine or personal injury. To 
avoid having scalding hot coolant or steam blow out of the degas bottle 
when removing the pressure relief cap, wait until the engine has cooled, 
then wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it slowly. 
Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When 
you are sure all the pressure has been released, turn and remove the 
pressure relief cap (still with a cloth).

CAUTION: The coolant must be recovered in a suitable, clean container for reuse. If 

the coolant is contaminated it must be recycled or disposed of correctly.

NOTE:

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

NOTE:

Less than 80% of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the 
vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.

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.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Engine Cooling - F150 Pickup

  

1. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle.  

2. Move the temperature blend selector to the full warm position.  

3. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.  

4. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the 

"COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks.  

5. Turn off the engine and allow the cooling system to cool.  

6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 until the degas bottle level is OK.  

Bleeding 

1. Select maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position control to discharge air at 

A/C vents in the instrument panel (04320).  

2. Start engine and allow to idle. While engine is idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents. 

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. 

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:  

z

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.  

z

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 protection.  

z

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.  

z

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.  

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

  

3. Start the engine and allow to idle until normal operating temperature is reached. Hot air should discharge 

from the A/C vents. The engine coolant temperature gauge should maintain a stabilized reading in the 
middle of the NORMAL range and the upper radiator hose (8260) should feel hot to the touch.  

4. Shut the engine off and allow it to cool.  

5. Check the engine for coolant leaks.  

6. Check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle and fill as necessary.  

ENGINE & RADIATOR FLUSHING 

Special Tool(s) 

CAUTION: If the air discharge remains cool and the engine coolant temperature 

gauge does not move, the engine coolant level is low in the engine 
and must be filled. Stop the engine, allow to cool and fill the cooling 
system as described.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Engine Cooling - F150 Pickup