2000 FORD F650 open hood

•Remove any snow, ice or leaves
from the air intake area (at the
bottom of the windshield under
the hood).
•If your vehicle has been parked with the windows closed during hot
weather, the air conditioner will do a much faster job of cooling if you
drive for two or three minutes with the windows open. This will force
most of the hot, stale air out of the vehicle. Then operate your air
conditioner as you would normally.
•Do not place objects over the defroster outlets. These objects can
block airflow and reduce your ability to see through your windshield.
Also, avoid placing small objects on top of your instrument panel.
These objects can fall down into the defroster outlets and block
airflow and possibly damage your climate control system.
Do not place objects on top of the instrument panel, as these
objects may become projectiles in a collision or sudden stop.
Controls and features
25

CHECKING UNDER THE HOOD
Opening the hood
The hood and fenders are held in position by a latch located on each
fender.
The parking brake must be fully set before opening the hood or
possible personal injury may occur.
If you must leave the engine running while checking under the
hood, do not allow any loose clothing, jewelry, hair or other
items to get near moving engine components or possible personal
injury may occur.
To open the hood:
1. Set the parking brake, shift into N (Neutral) (automatic transmission)
or 1 (First) (manual transmission) and turn the engine off.
2. Lift upward on the bottom of
each latch.
3. Pull the bottom of each latch
away from the fender.
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126

1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2. Park the vehicle on level ground.
3. Set the parking brake and shift into N (Neutral) (automatic
transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission).
4. Turn off the engine and wait a few minutes for the oil to drain
completely into the oil pan.
5. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
6. Locate and carefully remove the
engine oil level indicator (dipstick).
7. Wipe the indicator clean. Insert the indicator fully, then remove it
again.
•If the oil level isbetween FULL and OPERATING RANGE,the oil
level is acceptable.DO NOT ADD OIL.
•Maintain the oil level between ADD and OPERATING RANGE on the
dipstick by adding oil as required.
•The distance from ADD to OPERATING RANGE on the dipstick
represents 1.9L (2 quarts).
•Oil levels above OPERATING RANGE may cause engine damage. Some
oil must be removed from the engine by a qualified service technician.
8. Put the indicator back into the engine and ensure it is fully seated.
Maintenance and care
128

Use only a DOT 3 brake fluid designed to meet Ford specifications. Refer
toCapacities and specifications.
1. Set the parking brake, shift into 1
(First) and turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood.
3. Clean the reservoir cap before
removal to prevent dirt and water
from entering the reservoir.
4. Remove cap and rubber
diaphragm from reservoir.
5. Add fluid until the level reaches
the step in the reservoir.
6. Reinstall rubber diaphragm and cap onto reservoir.
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID
Checking and adding washer fluid
Inspect the solution level in the
washer reservoir when insufficient
solution is sprayed.
Use 3.8L (4.0 quarts) of
Ultra—Clear Windshield Washer
Concentrate or a washer fluid that
meets the Ford specification listed.
Refer toLubricant specifications
in theCapacities and
specificationschapter.
State or local regulations on volatile
organic compounds may restrict the use of methanol, a common
windshield washer antifreeze additive. 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 or washer system.
Do not put engine coolant or antifreeze in the washer fluid
reservoir. Engine coolant or antifreeze can severely reduce
visibility if sprayed on the windshield.
Maintenance and care
133

Adding and replacing engine coolant-Caterpillar 3126 B engine
Refer to the engine operator’s manual for engine cooling system
information.
FAN CLUTCHES
Your vehicle’s cooling system is equipped with a viscous variable speed
fan clutch.
•The fan clutch helps control cooling, increase performance, improve
fuel economy and reduce noise.
•The fan clutch is controlled by bimetallic spring sensors. Do not
tamper with these sensors as this may change their calibration or keep
the fan clutch from operating at all.
Stay clear of the fan/fan area while the engine is running or
possible personal injury may occur.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Checking power steering fluid level
Check the power steering fluid level using the following procedure. Refer
to the Scheduled Maintenance Guide for the recommended service
intervals. If adding fluid is necessary, use only MERCONAT F.
1. Set the parking brake, shift into N
(Neutral) (automatic transmission)
or 1 (First) (manual transmission)
and turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood.
3. Clean the top of the power
steering fluid reservoir.
4. Remove the dipstick from the
reservoir and wipe the dipstick
clean.
5. Reinstall the dipstick. Remove it again and check the fluid level.
Maintenance and care
136

•Caterpillar 3126 B engine
Replace the air filter element using the following procedure:
1. Set the parking brake and shift into N (Neutral) (automatic
transmission) or 1 (First) (manual transmission) and turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine heat.
3. Push in and turn the latches that retain the air filter housing cover
counterclockwise 90 degrees, then carefully remove the cover.
4. Carefully remove the air filter element.Use caution to keep dirt
and debris from falling into the engine.A twisting rocking motion
may be needed to break the seal between the filter element and the filter
housing.
Maintenance and care
144

2. Open the hood.
3. Remove four screws and move
the parking lamp assembly away
from the headlamp bulb.
4. Remove four screws and the
retaining bracket from the headlamp
bulb.
5. Pull headlamp bulb out of the
housing, disconnect the electrical
connector and remove the headlamp
bulb.
6. To complete installation, follow
the removal procedure in reverse
order.
Replacing front parking lamp/turn signal bulbs
To remove the parking/turn signal bulbs:
1. Make sure the headlamp control is in the OFF position.
2. Open the hood.
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160