1997 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS cooling

72
*
[GF22380( ALL)01/96]
When turning, drive slightly beyond the normal
turning point so the trailer wheels will clear
curbs or other obstructions.
[GF22390( E M)01/96]
When stopped in traffic for long periods of time
in hot weather, place the gearshift selector lever
in P (Park) to increase the engine idle speed.
This aids in engine cooling and air conditioner
efficiency. If the engine overheats, move the
Function Selector Lever to VENT to stop the
compressor and increase the engine speed for a
short time.
*
[GF22410( ALL)01/96]
Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. However, if you must park on a grade,
place wheel chocks under the trailer's wheels as
follows:
*
[GF22420( ALL)01/96]
q
Apply the brake pedal and hold.
*
[GF22430( ALL)01/96]
q
Have another person place the wheel chocks
under the trailer wheels.
*
[GF22440( ALL)01/96]
q
With the chocks in place, release the brake
pedal, making sure the chocks are holding.
[GF22460( E M)01/96]
q
Apply the parking brake by pressing the
brake pedal down firmly with your right foot
while applying the parking brake pedal with
your left foot.
*
[GF22490( E M)01/96]
q
Shift the gearshift lever into P (Park).
*
[GF22500( ALL)01/96]
To start, after being parked on a grade:
*
[GF22510( ALL)01/96]
q
Apply the brake pedal and hold.
*
[GF22520( ALL)01/96]
q
Start the engine.
*
[GF22530( ALL)01/96]
q
Shift transmission into gear and release the
parking brake.
*
[GF22540( ALL)01/96]
q
Release the brake pedal and move the vehicle
uphill to free the wheel chocks.
*
[GF22550( ALL)01/96]
q
Apply the brake pedal and hold while
another person retrieves the chocks.
File:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

93 %
*
[ER19600( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Batteries contain sulfuric acid which burns
skin, eyes, and clothing.
*
[ER19650( ALL)01/96]
If the acid touches someone's skin, eyes, or
clothing, immediately flush the area with water
for at least 15 minutes. If someone swallows the
acid, have him or her drink lots of milk or water
first, then Milk of Magnesia, a beaten egg, or
vegetable oil. Call a doctor immediately.
*
[ER19750( ALL)01/96]
To avoid damaging your vehicle or your battery,
and to avoid injury to yourself, follow these
directions for preparing your vehicle to
jump-start and connecting the jumper cables in
the order they are given. If in doubt, call for
road service.
*
[ER19800( ALL)01/96]
Preparing Your Vehicle
*
[ER19850( ALL)01/96]
1. Your vehicle has a 12-volt starting system, so
you need to use a 12-volt jumper system.
You will damage your starting motor,
ignition system, and other electrical parts if
you connect them to a 24-volt power supply
(either two 12-volt batteries in series or a
24-volt generator set).
*
[ER19900( ALL)01/96]
2. Do not disconnect the battery of the disabled
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle's
electrical system.
*
[ER19950( ALL)01/96]
3. Park the booster vehicle close to the hood of
the disabled vehicle.Make sure the vehicles
do not touch each other.Set the parking
brake on both vehicles and stay clear of the
engine cooling fan and other moving parts.
File:10lterm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:23:45 1996

107
%*
[MC10700( ALL)01/96]
Driveline Universal Joint and Slip
Yoke
[MC10800( M)01/96]
The universal joints that come standard with
your vehicle do require lubrication. Lubrication
will be necessary at the intervals shown in the
Maintenance Schedule and Recordbooklet.
%
*
[MC11700( ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant
[MC11750( ALL)01/96]
Checking the engine coolant
*
[MC11800( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC11850( ALL)01/96]
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 theEngine
Coolant Refill Procedurein this chapter for
instructions.
[MC11900( M)01/96]
Your cooling system is of the coolant recovery
type. The engine coolant recovery reservoir is a
one-piece molded unit. Engine coolant in the
system expands with heat and overflows into the
engine coolant recovery reservoir. When the
system cools down, coolant is drawn back into
the radiator.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

109
*
[MC12600( ALL)01/96]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
*
[MC12650( ALL)01/96]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to press, turn,
and remove cap.
*
[MC12700( ALL)01/96]
5. Stand away from the radiator opening. Hot
steam may blow out or hot engine coolant
may even splash out.
%*
[MC12750( ALL)01/96]
Freezing Protection
*
[MC12800( ALL)01/96]
The factory-installed solution of Ford Premium
Cooling System Fluid and water will protect
your vehicle toS35ÊF (S37ÊC).Check the freeze
protection rating of the engine coolant at least
once a year, just before winter.
*
[MC12850( ALL)01/96]
Add engine coolant only to the coolant
reservoir.If the coolant level is low, add to the
reservoir a 50/50 mixture of water and the type
of engine coolant that Ford specifies. You may
add water by itself only in an emergency, but
you should replace it with a 50/50 mixture as
soon as possible. Check the engine coolant again
the next few times you drive your vehicle.
*
[MC12900( ALL)01/96]
Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid is an
optimized formula that will protect all metals
and rubber elastomers used in Ford engines for
four years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km). It is not
necessary and not recommended to use
supplemental coolant additives in your gasoline
powered vehicle. These additives may harm
your engine cooling system. Follow the
recommended service interval for changing your
engine coolant.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

110
*
[MC12950( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: When you change or add engine
coolant, it is important to maintain
your engine coolant concentration
between 40%(-11ÊF [-24ÊC]) and 60%
(-62ÊF [-52ÊC]),depending on your local
climate conditions. Below 40% you will
lose freeze protection and above 60%
your engine may overheat on a warm
day.
%*
[MC13000( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Do not use an engine coolant that does
not meet all 14 requirements of Ford
Specification ESE-M97B44-A. The use
of an improper coolant may void your
warranty for the engine cooling system.
Use only a premium nationally
recognized brand name engine coolant.
*
[MC13050( ALL)01/96]
Ford Motor Company expressly authorizes the
Ford Rotunda engine coolant recycling process
and chemicals. Use only Ford Rotunda recycled
engine coolant or an equivalent recycled engine
coolant that is certified by the supplier to meet
Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A.
%*
[MC13100( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Always dispose of used automotive
fluids in a responsible manner. Follow
your community's standards for
disposing of these types of fluids. Call
your local recycling center to find out
about recycling automotive fluids.
%*
[MC13150( ALL)01/96]
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid or an
equivalent engine coolant that meets Ford
Specification ESE-M97B44-A. Do not use alcohol
or methanol antifreeze and do not use engine
coolant mixed with alcohol or methanol
antifreeze. If you do not use the proper coolant,
the aluminum radiator on your vehicle will
corrode.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

111
*
[MC13200( ALL)01/96]
Leave the engine coolant in all year. Make sure
that the coolant will not freeze at the
temperature level in which you drive during
winter months. Keep a mixture of engine coolant
in your engine that has a protection rating of at
least-34ÊF (-37ÊC), orwhatever protection rating
is appropriate for the climate in which you live.
*
[MC13250( ALL)01/96]
To find out how much engine coolant mixture
your vehicle's coolant system can hold, seeRefill
capacities for fluidsin the Index.
*
[MC13300( ALL)01/96]
You may add water by itself only in an
emergency, but you should replace it with a
50/50 or appropriate mixture as soon as
possible.
*
[MC13350( ALL)01/96]
Have your dealer check the engine cooling
system for leaks if you have to add a quart
(liter) of engine coolant more than once a month.
[MC13400( ALL)01/96]
Checking hoses
*
[MC13450( ALL)01/96]
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.
[MC13500( ALL)01/96]
Engine coolant drain and flush
*
[MC13550( ALL)01/96]
To drain your vehicle's engine coolant:
*
[MC13600( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC13650( ALL)01/96]
2. Remove the cap.
*
[MC13750(B FM)01/96]
3. Attach a small hose to the drain tube at the
bottom of the radiator.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

112
*
[MC13800( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC13850( ALL)01/96]
5. Reconnect the lower radiator hose and close
the radiator drain cock.
*
[MC13900( ALL)01/96]
Proper procedures for flushing the cooling
system can be found in theTruck Service Manual.
[MC13950( ALL)01/96]
Engine coolant refill procedure
*
[MC14000( ALL)01/96]
After you have drained the engine cooling
system:
*
[MC14050( ALL)01/96]
1. Fill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of the
specified engine coolant concentrate and
water. Allow several minutes for trapped air
to escape (bubble out) and for engine coolant
to flow through the radiator.
*
[MC14100( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC14150( ALL)01/96]
3. Start and idle the engine until the thermostat
opens and the radiator upper hose becomes
warm.
*
[MC14200( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[MC14250( ALL)01/96]
5. Finally, check the radiator and add more
engine coolant if needed, following the
procedures noted above. Reinstall the
radiator cap securely, when finished.
*
[MC14300( ALL)01/96]
6. If more engine coolant is necessary, fill the
overflow reservoir to the appropriate level
marked on the bottle.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

127 [MC27600( M)01/96]
RWARNING
Use only wheel assemblies approved and
released by Ford Motor Company for your
vehicle model.
[MC27650( M)01/96]
A wheel or tire of the wrong size or type may
adversely affect such things as load carrying
capacity, wheel and bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping
ability, headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire chain clearance
to the body and chassis. Replacement with used
wheels is not advised: they may have been
treated harshly or have high mileage, and they
could fail without warning.
[MC27700( M)01/96]
The use of wheels with load carrying limits
higher than the limits of the wheels originally
installed on your vehicle does not in itself
increase the GAWR or GVWR of the vehicle.
[MC27750( M)01/96]
RWARNING
Use only wheel assemblies approved and
released by Ford Motor Company for your
vehicle model.
[MC27800( M)01/96]
RWARNING
Alterations to the vehicle suspension or
steering by raising the chassis (i.e., use of
aftermarket ªlift kitsº) may adversely
affect vehicle handling and braking
performance.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996