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PART 11-1-
GENERAL COOLING SYSTEM SERVICE
11-3
LOSS
OF COOLANT
TESTING
COOLING SYSTEM
PRESSURE
TEST
It
is recommended that a
cooling
system
pressure test gauge be used
to properly
test the system for:
1..
Blown
or leaking cooling sys-
tem sealing gaskets.
2.
Internal or external coolant
leakage.
3. Pressure
cap malfunction.
Many
types of pressure
gauges
are
available
for use. Therefore, it is
recommended that the gauge
manu-
Leaking radiator, radiator supply
tank, or
transmission
oil cooler.
Loose or damaged hose connec-
tions.
Water pump leaking.
Cylinder head gasket defective.
Improper tightening of cylinder
facturer's instructions be followed
when performing the test. Never ex-
ceed the rated pressure indicated on
the pressure cap when performing
the pressure test.
THERMOSTAT TEST-
THERMOSTAT REMOVED
It
is good practice to test new
thermostats before installing them in
the engine.
Remove the thermostat and im-
merse it in boiling water. Replace
the
thermostat if it does not open
more than
'14
inch.
EJ
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
COOLANT
Correct
coolant level is
essential
for
maximum
circulation and ade-
quate
cooling.
In addition, for
the
cooling
system to perform its func-
tion, it
must receive proper care. This
includes
periodic flushing of the en-
tire system, keeping radiator fins
clean,
and
periodic
inspection
of the
cooling
system for leakage.
Use care when
removing
the
radi-
ator cap,
to avoid injury from es-
caping
steam or
hot
water.
Radiator
caps incorporate a red
pressure
relief
button.
Press
this button to relieve internal
pressure
before removing the
cap.
To prevent the build up of rust,
sludge and other foreign material in
the
cooling system, Ford radiator
inhibitor should be added to the
coolant. If it is found necessary to
remove build up of foreign material
from the cylinder block or radiator
owing
to neglect of adding an
inhibitor,
use Ford radiator cleaner
Rl-64. Removal
of such material
restores cooling efficiency and avoids
over-heatmg.
In
severe cases where cleaning
solvents will not properly clean the
cooling
system for efficient operation,
it will be necessary to use the
pressure
flushing method.
Various
types of flushing equip-
ment
are available. If pressure flush-
ing
is
used,
make sure the cylinder
head bolts are properly tightened to
prevent possible water leakage
into
the cylinders. Always remove the
thermostat prior to pressure flushing.
A pulsating or reversed direction
of flushing water flow will loosen
sediment more quickly than a
steady
flow in the normal direction of cool-
ant flow.
DRAINING AND FILLING
THE COOLING SYSTEM
To
prevent loss of anti-freeze when
draining the radiator, attach a hose
on the radiator drain cock and drain
the anti-freeze from the radiator into
a clean container.
To
drain the radiator, open the
drain cock located at the bottom of
the
radiator. The 6-cylinder engine
block has one drain plug located at
the right rear of the cylinder block,
ahead of the starter (Fig.
1).
The
V -8 engines have a drain plug on
each side of the cylinder block.
To fill the cooling system, close
the drain cock. Install the block
drain plug(s). Disconnect the heater
outlet hose at the water pump to
bleed or release trapped air in the
system. When the coolant begins to
escape, connect the heater outlet
hose.
Operate the engine until normal
operating temperature
is
reached,
and add
more coolant, if necessary,
to fill the radiator to the proper
head bolts.
Cylinder block core
plugs
leaking.
Cracked cylinder head or block,
or warped cylinder head C?r block
gasket surface.
Radiator pressure cap defective
or wrong type.
If
the problem being investigated
is insufficient heat, the thermostat
should be checked for leakage. This
may be done by holding the ther-
mostat up to a lighted background.
Light leakage around the thermostat
valve (thermostat
at
room tempera-
ture) is unacceptable and the ther-
mostat should be replaced. It is pos-
sible, on some
thermostats,
that a
slight leakage of light at one or two
locations on the perimeter of the
valve may be detected. This should
be considered normal.
DRAIN
PLUG
FIG. 1-Typical Cylinder
Block Drain Plug
level, one
inch below
bottom of
filler neck.
After the
initial
fill the coolant
level may drop approximately one
quart after the
engine
has been
operated about 20 minutes at 2000
rpm. This is due to the displace-
ment of entrapped air. Refill to the
proper
level.
FAN DRIVE BELTS
If
the
fan
drive belt(s) are noisy,
check
the
tension of the belts to
make certain they
are within speci-
fications.
Also, check for
misaligned
pulleys. If
the drive
belts are worn
or
frayed, replace them following
the procedures
in Page 11-4.
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