1997 FORD THUNDERBIRD check engine

203
*
[MC07700( BCGV)03/96]
6. Carefully pull the dipstick out again. If the
oil level is below the ªADD 1 QTº line, add
engine oil as necessary. If the oil level is
beyond the letter ªFº in Full, engine damage
or high oil consumption may occur and
some oil must be removed from the engine.
*
[MC07800( ALL)01/96]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
*
[MC07900( ALL)01/96]
It may be necessary to add some oil between oil
changes. Make sure you use a CERTIFIED
engine oil of the preferred viscosity. Your
vehicle's warranty coverage may not apply if
engine damage is caused by the use of improper
engine oil.
*
[MC08000( ALL)01/96]
Add engine oil through the oil filler cap
highlighted in yellow. To add oil, remove the
filler cap and use a funnel to pour oil into the
opening. Be careful not to overfill the engine.
Recheck the oil level after you finish adding oil.
%*
[MC08100( ALL)01/96]
Changing the Engine Oil and the Oil Filter
*
[MC08200( ALL)01/96]
Change the engine oil and oil filterper the
following, whichever occurs first.
*
[MC08300( ALL)01/96]
one third page art:0060618-C
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204 [MC08350( ALL)05/96]NOTE: Ford production and after market
(Motorcraft) oil filters are designed for
added engine protection and long life.
If a replacement oil filter is used that
does not meet Ford magerial and
design specifications, startup engine
noises or knock may be experienced. It
is recommended you use the
appropriate ªMotorcraftº oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford
specifications) for your engine
application.
*
[MC08400( ALL)02/96]
Refer to theMaintenance Schedulebooklet for
additional information.
%*
[MC08500( ALL)04/96]
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.
*
[MC08600( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Continuous contact with USED motor oil
has caused cancer in laboratory mice.
*
[MC08700( ALL)01/96]
Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
%
*
[MC08800( ALL)01/96]
Brake Fluid
*
[MC08900( ALL)01/96]
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle
should not use up brake fluid rapidly. However,
expect the level of the brake fluid to slowly fall
as you put more mileage on your vehicle and
the brake lining wears.
[MC09000( BCGV)04/96]
Check the brake fluid at each scheduled engine
oil change or at least once a year. You can do
this by looking at the fluid level in the plastic
reservoir on the master cylinder. Also, see label
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206
*
[MC10100( ALL)01/96]
If you find that the fluid level is excessively low
Ð below the seam or ridge on the outside of the
plastic reservoir Ð have the brake system
inspected.
*
[MC10200( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not let the reservoir for the master
cylinder run dry. This may cause the
brakes to fail.
%
*
[MC10900( ALL)02/96]
Windshield Washer Fluid
%*
[MC11000( ALL)03/96]
Washer Fluid
[MC11100( ALL)04/96]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
periodically. The reservoir for washer fluid is
located on the driver's side of the engine
compartment. Do not operate the washer when
the reservoir is empty.
[MC11300( BC )12/95]
one third page art:0010375-B
The reservoir for the windshield washer fluid
*
[MC11500( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
%*
[MC11600( ALL)02/96]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
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207
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
(VOCs) 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 protection
without damaging the vehicle's paint finish,
wiper blades, and windshield washer system.
%
*
[MC11700( ALL)01/96]
Engine Coolant
%*
[MC11800( ALL)01/96]
Checking the Engine Coolant
*
[MC11900( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
*
[MC12100( BCGV)01/96]
RWARNING
The cooling fan is automatic and may
come on at any time. Always disconnect
the negative terminal of the battery before
working near the fan.
%*
[MC12200( ALL)12/95]
Your vehicle's coolant protects your engine from
overheating in the summer and from freezing in
the winter. Check the level of the coolant at least
once a month. Simply look at the engine coolant
reservoir located in the engine compartment. To
locate the reservoir, see the diagram of your
vehicle's engine underEngine Type, in this
chapter.
*
[MC12300( ALL)02/96]
The coolant additives also protect the entire
cooling system from internal passageway
corrosion and these additives lubricate the water
pump. The coolant should be serviced as noted
in theMaintenance Schedulebooklet.
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208 [MC12500( BCGV)03/96]
half page art:0010761-DThe engine coolant reservoir
%*
[MC12700( ALL)01/96]
Checking Hoses
[MC12800( ALL)04/96]
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses and
hose connections for deterioration, leaks, and
loose hose clamps as specified in theMaintenance
Schedulebooklet. Repair or replace with
Motorcraft hoses or equivalent as necessary.
*
[MC12900( ALL)01/96]
Adding Engine Coolant
*
[MC13000( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not put engine coolant in the container
for the windshield washer fluid.
*
[MC13100( ALL)01/96]
If sprayed to clean the glass, engine coolant or
antifreeze could make it difficult to see through
the windshield.
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210
*
[MC14510( ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[MC14605( ALL)05/96]
Recycled engine coolant
*
[MC14705( ALL)05/96]
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.
*
[MC14805( ALL)05/96]
Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
*
[MC14905( ALL)05/96]
Coolant refill capacity
[MC14910( ALL)05/96]
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's
cooling system can hold, refer toRefill Capacities
in theCapacities and Specificationschapter.
*
[MC14915( ALL)05/96]
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.
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212 [MC15700(MBC )12/95]3.8L engine only
[MC15800(MBC )12/95]
q
Open the vent plug.
[MC15900(MBC )12/95]
q
Remove coolant recovery reservoir cap.
[MC16000(MBC )12/95]
q
Remove radiator pressure cap.
[MC16100(MBC )12/95]
q
With the engine off and cool, add a 50/50
mixture of recommended cooling system fluid
and water to the radiator until full, then add
to the reservoir until the reservoir is at the
FULL-HOT level.
[MC16200(MBC )12/95]
q
Close the vent plug.
[MC16300(MBC )12/95]
q
Reinstall the coolant recovery reservoir cap
by installing the cap to the fully installed
position.
[MC16400(MBC )12/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the pressure
relief position by installing the cap to the
fully installed position, and then backing off
to the first stop.
[MC16500(MBC )12/95]
q
Start and idle engine until the radiator upper
hose is warm (this indicates the thermostat is
open and coolant is flowing through the
entire system).
[MC16600(MBC )12/95]
q
Immediately shut off engine. Cover cap
completely with a thick cloth and cautiously
remove radiator pressure cap and add a
50/50 mixture of recommended coolant and
water until system is full.
[MC16700(MBC )12/95]
q
Reinstall the radiator cap securely.
[MC16800(MBC )12/95]
q
Remove the cap from the engine coolant
recovery reservoir and add a 50/50 mixture
of recommended cooling system fluid and
water to the FULL-HOT mark on the engine
coolant recovery reservoir. Check that
reservoir hose is not kinked.
[MC16900(MBC )12/95]
q
Reinstall the reservoir cap.
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213
*
[MC17000(MBC )12/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock, block plug
and vent plug.
*
[MC17100(MBC )12/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
[MC17200( BC )12/95]
4.6L engine only
*
[MC17400( ALL)12/95]
q
With the engine OFF and cool, remove the
pressure cap, located on the coolant reservoir.
Remove the heater hose and clamp, located
on the rear of the intake manifold.
*
[MC17500( ALL)12/95]
q
Add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water to the coolant reservoir. Refer toRefill
Capacitieslater in this chapter for the correct
amount. Add coolant to the reservoir until
the coolant continuously flows out of the tube
in the rear of engine. Reattach hose and
secure clamp.
[MC17600( ALL)12/95]
q
Continue to fill the reservoir until the coolant
is at the FULL COLD level.
*
[MC17700( ALL)12/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap to the fully
installed position.
*
[MC17800( ALL)12/95]
q
Start and idle the engine until the radiator
upper hose is warm (this indicates the
thermostat is open and coolant is flowing
through the entire system).
*
[MC17900( ALL)12/95]
q
Immediately shut off the engine and let cool.
Cautiously remove the pressure relief cap and
add a 50/50 mixture of specified coolant and
water until the coolant is at the COLD FILL
level in the coolant reservoir.
*
[MC18000( ALL)12/95]
q
Reinstall the pressure cap securely.
*
[MC18100( ALL)12/95]
q
Check for leaks at the draincock.
*
[MC18200( ALL)12/95]
q
Recheck the engine coolant level, using the
recommended procedure, after one or two
occasions of vehicle use.
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