2004 FORD E-250 coolant

remove the coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with
an overflow system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the“COLD FILL RANGE”or the“FULL COLD”level on
the reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill
the radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking engine coolant. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to–34°F/–36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
Recycled engine coolant
Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine
coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet
available.
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Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate
manner. Follow your community’s regulations and standards for recycling
and disposing of automotive fluids.
Coolant refill capacity
To find out how much fluid your vehicle’s cooling system can hold, refer
toRefill capacitiesin this section.
Fill your engine coolant reservoir as outlined inAdding engine coolant
in this section.
Severe climates
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than–36°C[–34°F]):
•It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration
above 50%.
•NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
•Increased engine coolant concentrations above 60% will
decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
freeze protection at the temperatures in which you drive in the
winter months.
If you drive in extremely hot climates:
•It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration
above 40%.
•NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the corrosion protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Decreased engine coolant concentrations below 40% will
decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine
coolant and may cause engine damage.
•Refer to the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle will provide adequate
protection at the temperatures in which you drive.
Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50
mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system
and engine protection.
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What you should know about fail-safe cooling (if equipped)
If the engine coolant supply is depleted, this feature allows the vehicle to
be driven temporarily before incremental component damage is incurred.
The“fail-safe”distance depends on ambient temperatures, vehicle load
and terrain.
How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•The
indicator light will
illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset over-temperature condition, the engine
will automatically switch to alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled
cylinder acts as an air pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature and the engine
will completely shut down, causing steering and braking effort to
increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high-speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
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Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
5. Re-start the engine and take your vehicle to a service facility.
Driving the vehicle without repairing the engine problem
increases the chance of engine damage. Take your vehicle to a
service facility as soon as possible.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE FUELS
Important safety precautions
Do not overfill the fuel tank. The pressure in an overfilled tank
may cause leakage and lead to fuel spray and fire.
The fuel system may be under pressure. If the fuel filler cap is
venting vapor or if you hear a hissing sound, wait until it stops
before completely removing the fuel filler cap. Otherwise, fuel may
spray out and injure you or others.
If you do not use the proper fuel filler cap, excessive pressure or
vacuum in the fuel tank may damage the fuel system or cause
the fuel cap to disengage in a collision, which may result in possible
personal injury.
Automotive fuels can cause serious injury or death if misused or
mishandled.
Gasoline may contain benzene, which is a cancer-causing agent.
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Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Engine
coolant-gasoline
engine
1
Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)4.6L V8 engine 23.7L (25.0
quarts)
1 row–22.6L
(23.8 quarts)
8
4.6L V8 engine
with aux rear
heat25.7L (27.2
quarts)
1 row–24.6L
(26.0 quarts)
8
5.4L V8 engine 27.4L (29.0
quarts)
1 row–26.3L
(27.8 quarts)
8
5.4L V8 engine
with aux rear
heat29.4L (31.0
quarts)
1 row–28.3L
(29.8 quarts)
8
6.8L V10 engine 29.0L (30.6
quarts)
1 row–27.9L
(29.4 quarts)
8
6.8L V10 engine
with aux rear
heat31.0L (32.8
quarts)
1 row–29.9L
(31.6 quarts)
8
Engine
coolant-diesel
engineRefer to thePower Stroke Direct Injection Turbo
Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement.1
Power steering
fluidMotorcraft
MERCONAT FAll Keep in FULL
range on
dipstick
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Fluid Ford Part
NameApplication Capacity
Fuel tank N/A All regular and
extended length
vans and wagons132.4L (35.0
gallons)
138 inch
wheelbase
(except E-Super
Duty)140.0L (37.0
gallons)
158 inch
wheelbase
(except E-Super
Duty)140.0L (37.0
gallons)
5
176 inch
wheelbase
(except E-Super
Duty)140.0L (37.0
gallons)
158 inch and
176 inch
wheelbase
(E-Super Duty)208.0L (55 .0
gallons)
Transmission
fluid
6Motorcraft
MERCONV
AT FAutomatic
(4R70/75 E-W)13.2L (13.9
quarts)7
Motorcraft
MERCONAT FAutomatic
(4R100 except
E-450)16.1L (17.0
quarts)7
Automatic
(4R100 E-450)16.7L (17.7
quarts)7
Motorcraft
MERCONSP
AT FTorqShift
(5–speed)16.6L (17.5
quarts)7
Windshield
washer fluidMotorcraft
Premium
Windshield
Washer
ConcentrateAll 4.0L (4.2
quarts)
1Add the coolant type originally equipped in your vehicle.2If your vehicle’s rear axle is filled with a synthetic rear axle lubricant it
is considered lubricated for life. These lubricants do not need to be
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9Use of synthetic or synthetic blend motor oil is not mandatory. Engine
oil need only meet the requirements of Ford specification
WSS-M2C153–H and the API Certification mark.
LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS
Item Ford part
nameFord part
numberFord
specification
Brake fluid Motorcraft High
Performance
DOT 3 Motor
Vehicle Brake
FluidPM-1 ESA-M6C25-A
and DOT 3
Door
weatherstripsSilicone
LubricantXL-6 ESR-M13P4-A
Engine coolant Motorcraft
Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
(yellow-colored)VC-7-A (U.S.,
except CA and
OR), VC-7-B
(CA and OR
only)WSS
-M97B51-A1
Engine
oil-gasoline
engineMotorcraft SAE
5W-20 Premium
Synthetic Blend
Motor Oil (US)
Motorcraft SAE
5W-20 Super
Premium Motor
Oil (Canada)XO-5W20-QSP
(US)
CXO-5W20–
LSP12 (Canada)WSS-M2C153-
HWSS-M2C930-A
with API
Certification
Mark
Engine oil-diesel
engineRefer to thePower Stroke Direct Injection Turbo
Diesel Owner’s Guide Supplement.
Hinges, latches,
Striker plates,
fuel filler door
hinge, and seat
tracksMotorcraft
Multi-Purpose
GreaseXG–4 or XL-5 ESR-M1C159-A
or
ESB-M1C93–B
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A
Accessory delay ..........................70
Air bag supplemental
restraint system ..................96, 101
and child safety seats ..............98
description ........................96, 101
disposal ....................................100
driver air bag ............................98
indicator light .........................100
operation ...................................98
passenger air bag .....................98
Air cleaner filter .......216–217, 232
Ambulance packages ....................8
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................196
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................120
Audio system
(see Radio) ................18, 20, 22, 25
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .........................124, 127
fluid, adding ............................213
fluid, checking ........................213
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specification ..................241
Auxiliary power point .................69
Axle
lubricant specifications ..238, 241
refill capacities ........................233
traction lok ..............................122
B
Battery .......................................194
acid, treating emergencies .....194
jumping a disabled battery ....166
maintenance-free ....................194replacement, specifications ...232
servicing ..................................194
BeltMinder ...................................91
Brakes ........................................120
anti-lock ...................................120
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............120
fluid, checking and adding ....213
fluid, refill capacities ..............233
fluid, specifications .........238, 241
lubricant specifications ..238, 241
parking ....................................121
shift interlock ..........................123
Break-in period .............................5
Bulbs ............................................60
C
Calculating load ........................133
Capacities for refilling fluids ....233
Cell phone use ............................69
Child safety restraints ..............102
child safety belts ....................102
Child safety seats ......................104
in front seat ............................106
in rear seat ..............................106
tether anchorage hardware ...108
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............183
exterior ....................................186
instrument panel ....................185
interior .....................................185
interior trim ............................185
plastic parts ............................184
safety belts ..............................185
washing ....................................182
waxing .....................................182
wheels ......................................183
wiper blades ............................184
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Index
Index
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