1996 FORD EXPLORER coolant

352
*
[SV17275(ALL)07/95]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil has caused
cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[SV17285(ALL)07/95]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and water.
%*
[SV17300(ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
%*
[SV17400(ALL)09/95]
Checking the engine coolant
*
[SV17500(ALL)09/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understandPrecautions When
Servicing Your Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[SV17700(ALL)08/95]
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in the winter.
Check the level of the engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply look at the
engine coolant recovery reservoir located in the engine
compartment. To locate this reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine typesin this chapter.
*
[SV17750(ALL)03/95]
If the engine coolant has not been checked for a long period of
time the engine coolant reservoir may eventually empty. If the
engine coolant reservoir empties, check the engine coolant level
in the radiator. Read the following warnings before removing
the radiator cap. If it is necessary to fill the radiator, refer to the
Engine Coolant Refill Procedurein this chapter for instructions.
*
[SV17760(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine
is running or hot.
*
[SV17765(ALL)09/95]1.
Before you remove the radiator cap, turn the engine off and
let it cool. Even when the engine is cool, be careful when
you remove the radiator cap.
*
[SV17770(ALL)09/95]2.
When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap
and turn it slowly counterclockwise to the first stop.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

Servicing Your Explorer
353
*
[SV17779(ALL)09/95]3.
Step back while the pressure releases.
*
[SV17780(ALL)09/95]4.
When you are sure that all the pressure has been released,
use the cloth to turn and remove cap.
*
[SV17785(ALL)09/95]5.
Stand away from the radiator opening. Hot steam may blow
out or hot engine coolant may even splash out.
[SV17950(ALL)09/95]
Adding engine coolant
[SV18250(ALL)05/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0090119-B
Adding engine coolant
[SV20075(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Be careful not to add engine coolant to the windshield
washer fluid reservoir. If sprayed on the windshield,
engine coolant could make it difficult to see through the
windshield.
[SV20100(ALL)09/95]
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant
and water to the engine coolant recovery reservoir Ð DO NOT
ADD DIRECTLY TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water only
in an emergency, but you should replace it with a 50/50
mixture of coolant and distilled water as soon as possible.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

354
[SV20125(ALL)09/95]
Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery reservoir the
next few times you drive the vehicle. If necessary, add enough
of a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid
level to the fill line on the reservoir.
[SV20150(ALL)09/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap while the engine
is running or hot.
[SV20175(ALL)09/95]
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap, follow these steps
to avoid personal injury caused by escaping steam or engine
coolant:
[SV20200(ALL)09/95]1.
Before you remove the cap, turn the engine off and let it
cool.
[SV20225(ALL)09/95]2.
When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the cap
and turn it slowly, counterclockwise to the first stop.
[SV20250(ALL)09/95]3.
Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV20275(ALL)09/95]4.
When you are sure that all the pressure has been released,
use the cloth to press the cap down, turn it counterclockwise,
and remove it.
[SV20295(ALL)09/95]
Use Ford Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (in Canada,
Motorcraft CXC-8-B) or an equivalent premium engine coolant
that meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A. Ford Premium
Engine Coolant is an optimized formula that will protect all
metals and rubber elastomers used in Ford cooling systems for 4
years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km).
[SV20300(ALL)09/95]
Do not use alcohol or methanol antifreeze or any engine
coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. Do not use
supplemental coolant additives in your vehicle. These additives
may harm your engine cooling system. The use of an improper
coolant may void the warranty of your vehicle's engine cooling
system.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

Servicing Your Explorer
355
[SV20325(ALL)09/95]
Recycled engine coolant
[SV20350(ALL)09/95]
Ford Motor Company recommends that Ford and
Lincoln-Mercury dealers use recycled engine coolant produced
by Ford-approved processes. Not all coolant recycling processes
produce coolant which meets Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A,
and use of such coolant may harm engine and cooling system
components.
[SV20375(ALL)09/95]
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a responsible
manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for
recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
[SV20400(ALL)09/95]
Coolant refill capacity
[SV20425(ALL)09/95]
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's cooling system can
hold, seeRefill capacities for fluidsin the Index.
[SV20450(ALL)09/95]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling system for leaks if
you have to add more than a quart (liter) of engine coolant per
month.
[SV20475(ALL)09/95]
Severe winter climate
[SV20490(ALL)09/95]
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than-34ÊF [-36ÊC]),
it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above
50%. Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that the coolant
will not freeze at the temperature level in which you drive
during winter months. Never increase the engine coolant
concentration above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle year-round in non-extreme
climates.
%*
[SV20500(ALL)08/95]
Checking Hoses
*
[SV20600(ALL)10/89]
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses for deterioration,
leaks and loose clamps before adding or replacing engine
coolant. Make whatever repairs or replacements that are
necessary using Motorcraft parts or their equivalents.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

356
%*
[SV20700(ALL)08/95]
Engine Coolant Drain and Flush
*
[SV20800(ALL)10/89]
To drain your vehicle's engine coolant:
*
[SV20900(ALL)03/94]1.
Turn off the engine and let it cool. Fully depressurize the
engine cooling system by covering the radiator cap with a
thick cloth and turning it slowly counterclockwise to the first
stop. Step back while the pressure releases.
*
[SV20950(ALL)05/90]2.
Remove the cap.
*
[SV21000(ALL)05/90]3.
Attach a small hose to the drain tube at the bottom of the
radiator.
*
[SV21200(ALL)05/90]4.
Let the engine coolant drain into a suitable container.
Disconnect the lower radiator hose at the radiator connector
and drain any remaining engine coolant into a container.
*
[SV21250(ALL)05/95]
Proper procedures for flushing the cooling system can be found
in theService Manual.
%*
[SV21300(ALL)08/95]
Engine coolant refill procedure
*
[SV21400(ALL)10/89]
After you have drained the engine cooling system:
[SV21700(ALL)10/89]1.
When cold, fill the radiator to a level 1 to 1 1/2 inches
(38 mm) below the filler neck seat.
*
[SV21900(ALL)03/94]2.
Replace the radiator cap to its fully installed position, then
back off to the first stop. This will prevent high pressure
from building up in the cooling system during this part of
the fill procedure.
*
[SV22100(ALL)10/89]3.
Start and idle the engine until the thermostat opens and the
radiator upper hose becomes warm.
*
[SV22200(ALL)05/95]4.
Shut off the engine and allow the engine to cool. Cover the
radiator cap with a thick cloth and cautiously remove it. Step
back while the pressure releases.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

Servicing Your Explorer
357
*
[SV22500(ALL)10/89]5.
Finally, check the radiator and add more engine coolant if
needed, following the procedures noted above. Reinstall the
radiator cap securely, when finished.
*
[SV22525(ALL)05/90]6.
If more engine coolant is necessary, fill the overflow
reservoir to the appropriate level marked on the bottle.
*
[SV22610( X)08/95]
NOTE: Due to air being trapped in the 4.0L engine cooling
system, it is not unusual to experiencea4to7ounce
(120 to 210 ml) coolant loss up to 7,500 miles
(12,000 km) after initial system fill.
*
[SV22620( X)06/95]
In order to bleed the cooling system properly after initial fill
with coolant, it might need up to five cycles of:
*
[SV22630( X)06/95]
n
heating up the system (thermostat open)
*
[SV22640( X)06/95]
n
making sure coolant is at least up to the cold fill mark of
overflow bottle
*
[SV22650( X)06/95]
n
letting the coolant cool down (engine coolant temperature
gauge below the N of NORMAL)
*
[SV22660( X)06/95]
n
topping off the coolant overflow bottle to the cold fill
mark
*
[SV22680( X)06/95]
If coolant loss continues after 7,500 miles (12,000 km), consult
your Ford Dealer.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

358
%*
[SV22700(ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and Wipers
%*
[SV22800(ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
*
[SV22900(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid every time you
stop for fuel. The reservoir for washer fluid is located on the
passenger's side of the engine compartment. Visual inspection
can determine if the washer fluid is adequate. Do not operate
the washer when the reservoir is empty.
*
[SV23300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the container for
the engine coolant.
[SV23550(ALL)09/95]
10-1/2 pica
art:0090119-B
Adding windshield washer fluid
%*
[SV23800(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer fluid rather than
plain water, because specially formulated washer fluids contain
additives that dissolve road grime. For safety reasons, washer
fluids containing an appropriate antifreeze such as methanol
should be used in freezing weather (temperatures below32ÊF
[0ÊC]). State or local regulations on Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOC's) may restrict use of the most common antifreeze,
methanol. Washer fluids containing non-methanol antifreeze
agents should be used only if they provide cold weather
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996

Servicing Your Explorer
379
[SV37500(ALL)04/94]
7-1/2 pica art:0020382-C
Brake master cylinder
%*
[SV37600(ALL)03/95]
Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV37700(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the power steering fluid at least twice a
year (i.e., every Spring and Fall).
%*
[SV37800(ALL)03/95]
Checking and Adding Power Steering Fluid
*
[SV37900(ALL)02/95]1.
Start the engine and let it run until the power steering fluid
reaches normal operating temperature. The power steering
fluid will be at the right temperature when the engine
coolant temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is near
the center of the NORMAL operating temperature range.
*
[SV38000(ALL)01/95]2.
While the engine idles, turn the steering wheel back and
forth several times. Make sure that the cap assembly is
installed at this time.
*
[SV38100(ALL)05/95]3.
Turn the engine off.
%*
[SV38200(ALL)03/94]4.
Check the fluid level on the dipstick (which is highlighted in
yellow in your vehicle). The fluid level should be between
the arrows in the FULL HOT range, which is marked on the
side of the dipstick, opposite the side marked FULL COLD.
Do not add fluid if the level is within the FULL HOT range.
File:15unsvx.ex
Update:Thu Feb 29 09:20:34 1996