Ford Super Duty (2017 year). Manual — part 83

Engine and Secondary Cooling
System Refill Procedure

The following procedure should be used
when refilling the engine or secondary
cooling systems after it has been drained
or become extremely low:

1.

Before you remove the cap, turn the
engine off and let it cool.

2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick

cloth around the cap. Slowly turn cap
counterclockwise until pressure begins
to release.

3. Step back while the pressure releases.

4. When you are sure that all the pressure

has been released, use the cloth to turn
it counterclockwise and remove the
cap.

5. Slowly add prediluted engine coolant

to the coolant reservoir until the
coolant level is within the minimum
and maximum range as listed on the
reservoir.

6. Reinstall the pressure relief cap.

7.

Start and run the engine at 2000 rpm
for 2 minutes.

8. Shut engine off, and remove the

pressure relief cap as previously
outlined.

9. If required, add prediluted engine

coolant to the coolant reservoir until
the coolant level is within the minimum
and maximum range as listed on the
reservoir.

10.

Engine cooling system: Repeat
Step 5 until the coolant level has
stabilized (is no longer dropping after
each step) and the upper radiator
hose at the radiator is warm to the
touch (indicating that the engine
thermostat is open and coolant is
flowing through the radiator).

11.

Check the secondary cooling system.
Repeat Step 5 until the coolant level
has stabilized (is no longer dropping
after each step) and the lower
passenger side of the secondary
radiator is warm to the touch
(indicating secondary thermostat is
open and coolant is flowing through
the entire system).

12.

Reinstall the pressure relief cap. Shut
the engine off and let it cool.

13.

Check the coolant level in the
reservoir before you drive your vehicle
the next few times.

14.

If necessary, add prediluted engine
coolant to the coolant reservoir until
the coolant level is within the
minimum and maximum range as
listed on the reservoir. After any
coolant has been added, check the
coolant concentration.

Recycled Coolant

We do not recommend the use of recycled
coolant as an approved recycling process
is not yet available.

Dispose of used engine coolant in an
appropriate manner. Follow your
community’s regulations and standards
for recycling and disposing of automotive
fluids.

Severe Climates

If you drive in extremely cold climates:
•

It may be necessary to increase the
coolant concentration above 50%.

•

A coolant concentration of 60%
provides improved freeze point
protection. Coolant concentrations
above 60% decrease the overheat
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.

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If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•

You can decrease the coolant
concentration to 40%.

•

Coolant concentrations below 40%
decrease the freeze and corrosion
protection characteristics of the
coolant and may cause engine
damage.

Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme
climates should use prediluted engine
coolant for optimum cooling system and
engine protection.

Checking Coolant Corrosion
Inhibitor Additive Strength

At specific mileage intervals as listed in the
scheduled maintenance information
chapter, the coolant corrosion inhibitor
additive should be checked. An information
message may display in the optional
information display at this time. The
purpose of checking is to verify the correct
engine coolant concentration (freeze point
protection) and corrosion inhibitor additive
level (strength) of the coolant for
maximum engine performance and
protection.

Three products are available to confirm
the life and health of the coolant, one tool,
a test kit and a coolant inhibitor additive:

•

Robinair® Coolant and Battery
Refractometer 75240 –
Recommended refractometer to test
coolant concentration. (Rotunda tool
part number: ROB75240).

•

Rotunda 328-R071–ELC (Antifreeze
Coolant ELC Contamination Kit) –
Evaluates the corrosion inhibitor
additive strength. Note the first step is
to verify the vehicle’s coolant
concentration is in the correct range of
40 – 60%. Coolant concentrations
outside this range will not provide valid
test results. If the report results in a
pass, for example the cooling system
does not show excessive
contamination, the corrosion inhibitor
additive strength is sufficient, and no
action is required. If the report results
as insufficient (does not pass), the
corrosion inhibitor additive strength of
the coolant is too low. If the engine
cooling system corrosion inhibitor
additive strength is low, add 47 fl oz
(1.4 L) of Motorcraft Specialty Orange
Engine Coolant Revitalizer. If the
secondary cooling system corrosion
inhibitor additive strength is low, add
16 fl oz (0.47 L) of Motorcraft Specialty
Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer.

•

Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant Revitalizer – Additive to
boost the corrosion inhibitor level
based upon the test results of the
Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination
Kit. The Revitalizer may be added two
times over the life of the coolant. If
additional dosages are required, the
cooling system must be flushed and
refilled per the instructions in the
Workshop Manual.

Make sure to follow the proper coolant and
additive specifications. See Capacities
and Specifications (page 411).

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Coolant Change

At specific mileage intervals, as listed in
the scheduled maintenance information,
the coolant should be changed. The
information display may display a message
to change coolant at this time. Add
prediluted coolant approved to the correct
specification. See Capacities and
Specifications (page 411).

Engine-driven Cooling Fan (Fan
Clutch)

Your vehicle may have an engine driven
cooling fan drive (also called a fan clutch).
This fan drive changes the fan speed to
match the vehicle’s changing cooling air
flow requirements. Fan speed, fan noise
level and fuel consumption all will increase
based on the driving conditions that
include trailer towing, hill climbing, heavy
loads, high speed and high ambient
temperature, individually or in combination.

The fan drive is designed to provide the
minimum fan speed (and resulting
minimum fan noise and fuel consumption)
required to meet the ever changing vehicle
cooling air flow requirements. You will hear
the amount of fan noise increasing and
decreasing as the engine power
requirements and vehicle driving conditions
change as you drive. This is to be expected
as being normal to the operation of your
vehicle. High levels of fan noise might also
be heard when your engine is first started,
and should normally decrease after driving
for a short time.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID CHECK

Have an authorized dealer check and
change the transmission fluid and filter at
the correct service interval. See
Scheduled Maintenance (page 567).

Do not use supplemental transmission
fluid additives, treatments or cleaning
agents. The use of these materials may
affect transmission operation and result
in damage to internal transmission
components.

Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid

For scheduled intervals of the fluid checks
and changes, See Scheduled
Maintenance (page 567). Your
transmission does not consume fluid.
However, the fluid level should be checked
if the transmission is not working properly,
i.e., if the transmission slips or shifts slowly
or if you notice some sign of fluid leakage.

Automatic transmission fluid expands
when warmed. To obtain an accurate fluid
check, drive the vehicle until it is at normal
operating temperature (approximately
19 mi (30 km)). Verify that the
transmission fluid temperature gauge,
located on the instrument cluster, is within
normal range.

1.

Drive the vehicle 19 mi (30 km)until it
reaches normal operating temperature.

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

engage the parking brake.

3. With the engine running, parking brake

engaged and your foot on the brake
pedal, move the gearshift lever through
all of the gear ranges. Allow sufficient
time for each gear to engage.

4. Latch the gearshift lever in P and leave

the engine running.

5. Remove the dipstick, wiping it clean

with a clean, dry lint free rag. If
necessary, refer to the Under Hood
Overview in this chapter for the
location of the dipstick.

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6. Install the dipstick making sure it is fully

seated in the filler tube.

7.

Remove the dipstick and inspect the
fluid level. The fluid should be in the
designated area for normal operating
temperature or ambient temperature.

Low Fluid Level

Type A

E163739

Type B

E163740

Do not drive the vehicle if there is no
indication of fluid on the dipstick and the
ambient temperature is above 50°F
(10°C).

Correct Fluid Level

Type A

E163741

Type B

E163742

For vehicles equipped with 5-speed
transmissions, check the fluid at the
normal operating temperature of 151°F
(66°C) to 170°F (77°C) on a level surface.
For vehicles equipped with 6-speed
transmissions, check the fluid at the
normal operating temperature of 196°F
(91°C) to 215°F (102°C) on a level surface.
The normal operating temperature can be
reached after approximately 19 mi
(30 km).

High Fluid Level

Type A

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