2004 FORD E SERIES check engine

The air filter element should be
replaced when the colored band on
the gauge reaches the CHANGE
FILTER mark. Engine performance
and fuel economy are adversely
affected when maximum restriction
is reached. After servicing the air
filter element, reset the restriction
gauge by pressing the button on the
end of the gauge.
Air filter restriction gauge, F-250/350/450/550 & Excursion
The restriction gauge, located on
the upper housing of the air cleaner
assembly, monitors the condition of
the air filter element in two ways:
First, the colored indictor inside the
gauge highlights the percentage that
the air filter element is clogged with
dust or contaminants. Refer to
Engine CompartmentinService
Pointschapter.
Second, the gauge contains an electrical switch which illuminates a
warning light on the instrument cluster when the air filter element is
100% clogged. Refer toF-250/350/450/550, ExcursioninWarning
Lightschapter.
Check the air filter restriction gauge whenever the hood is raised to
perform general engine maintenance. If the vehicle is operated in
extremely dusty conditions, check the gauge at least every 800 km (500
miles), or two weeks, whichever comes first.
The air filter element must be
replaced when the colored band on
the gauge reaches the CHANGE
FILTER mark. Engine performance
and fuel economy are adversely
affected when the maximum
restriction is reached.
AIRFILTERGAUGECHANGEFILTERCHANGEFILTER
Diesel information
6

E-SERIES
F–250/350/450/550, EXCURSION
WAIT TO START
•E-Series
•F-250/350/450/550, Excursion
With the key in the ON position, the WAIT TO START light will
illuminate if glow plug heat is necessary as a starting aid. Wait until the
light goes off before starting. The light should always illuminate briefly,
when the ignition key is in the ON position. If the light does not
illuminate, there may be a problem. Refer to theStartingchapter in this
guide. After the engine starts, the light should remain off.
The light should always illuminate at least momentarily when the engine
is cold and the ignition is turned to ON. If it does not illuminate, the
glow plug system should be checked and repaired promptly to avoid
difficulty in cold starting.
Warning lights
8

WATER IN FUEL
•E-Series
•F-250/350/450/550, Excursion
During refueling, it is possible for water-contaminated diesel fuel to be
pumped into your tank. Your vehicle fuel system is equipped with a fuel
filter/water separator to remove water from the fuel. The WATER IN
FUEL light will illuminate when the ignition is turned to START (as part
of the light function check) and when the fuel filter/water separator has
a significant quantity of water in it.
If the light illuminates when the engine is running, stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, shut off the engine, then drain the filter bowl.
Refer to theGeneral maintenancechapter for drain procedure.
Allowing water to stay in the system could result in extensive damage to,
or failure of, the fuel injection system.
Do not drain the water separator while the engine is running.
Fuel may ignite if the separator is drained while the engine is
running or the vehicle is moving.
ENGINE AIR FILTER (F-250/350/450/550 & EXCURSION)
The engine air filter warning light
illuminates when the air filter
restriction gauge reaches the
CHANGE FILTER mark.
The vehicle may be driven with the engine air filter warning light
illuminated for up to 400 km (250 miles) without damaging the engine or
related components. However, the air filter elementmustbe replaced at
the earliest opportunity. Refer toAir filter restriction gaugein the
Diesel informationchapter for more information.
Warning lights
9

Operation in snow
Vehicle operation in heavy snowfall or in dry loose snow that may swirl
around the front of the vehicle may feed excessive amounts of snow into
the air intake system. This could plug the air cleaner with snow and
cause the engine to stall.
Refer toAir filter restriction gaugein theDiesel informationchapter
and Engine air filter in theWarning lightschapter for more information.
Operation in standing water
Ingestion of water into the Diesel engine can result in immediate and
severe damage to the engine. If driving through water, slow down to
avoid splashing water into the intake. If the engine stalls, and ingestion
of water into the engine is suspected, do not try to restart the engine.
Consult your dealer for service immediately. Follow the cylinder
compression test procedure outlined in the Workshop Manual, then
check the engine oil for contamination.
Engine block heater (if equipped)
Refer to theStartingchapter in your Owner Guide.
Starting
12

1. Apply a coating of clean Diesel fuel to the new fuel filter o-ring.
2. Install new fuel filter o-ring onto fuel filter element.
3. Install new fuel filter and o-ring into the fuel filter housing.
4. Tighten cap onto fuel filter housing slowly, allowing fuel to soak into
the fuel filter element. Tighten cap until it contacts the housing.
5. Install the resonator and resonator bolt.
6. Install the turbocharger heat shield, then the three bolts on the
turbocharger heat shield.
7. Connect the air inlet tube to the resonator, then tighten the clamp on
the air inlet tube.
8. Install the air cleaner(s), close the air cleaner cover, then close the
four retaining clamps on the air cleaner assembly.
9. Connect the battery ground cable, then all electrical connectors,
vacuum tubes and fasteners as necessary for installation.
10. Install the engine appearance cover.
After replacing the fuel filter, the engine will purge the trapped
air as it runs. The engine may run roughly and smoke until the air
is completely eliminated.
Using a fuel which has more than average impurities may require
the fuel filter to be replaced more frequently than the service
interval specifies.
ENGINE OIL
Checking engine oil level
Because it is normal to add some oil between oil changes, check your
engine oil level each time you stop for fuel. To check the engine oil level
consistently and accurately, the following procedure is recommended:
1. Have engine at normal operating temperature (at least into the
NORMAL range on the engine coolant temperature gauge).
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface, then turn off the engine and open
the hood.
3. Allow at least20 minutesafter engine shutdown to assure that the oil
contained in the upper parts of the engine has returned to the oil pan.
General maintenance information
30

Do not handle a hot oil filter with bare hands.
Clean the filter mounting area on the oil cooler, lightly coat the gasket
surface of the new filter with clean engine oil and hand tighten until the
gasket contacts the base.Then tighten another 1–1/4 to 2 turns.Fill
the crankcase and run the engine to check for leaks.
Continuous contact with USED motor oil has caused cancer in
laboratory mice. Protect your skin by washing with soap and
water.
Engine lubrication for severe service operation
The following severe service operating conditions require unique engine
maintenance procedures:
•towing a trailer over 1,600 km (1,000 miles)
•sustained, high speed driving at Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(maximum loaded weight for vehicle operation during hot
weather-above 32°C [90°F]).
•frequent or extended idling (over 10 minutes per hour of normal
driving).
•operating in severe dust conditions.
•frequent, short trips of 16 km (10 miles) or less during freezing
weather
If you are operating your vehicle under any of these conditions, observe
the following service procedures:
•Change engine oil and filter every 5,000 km (3,000 miles).
•Use Motorcraft oil or an equivalent oil conforming to Ford
Specification WSS-M2C171–C or API categories CH-4, CH-4/SJ,
CH-4/SL or DHD-1. If CH-4 oil is not available, CG-4 is acceptable..
For more information refer theSevere Duty Maintenance Schedulein
the“Service Guide”.
REPLACING THE AIR FILTER ELEMENT
When replacing the air filter element, use the Motorcraft air filter
element listed. Refer toLubricant and Maintenance Materials
Specificationsin this supplement.
General maintenance information
33

4.On E-Series models,open fuel filter drain valve by pulling on the
release handle. Allow to drain for approximately 25 seconds or until
clean fuel is observed. Close filter drain valve by resetting handle to
original position.
5. Verify that the fuel filter drain valve is closed. If removed, install the
engine appearance cover.
6. Close the hood and remove the container from under the vehicle.
7. Restart the engine and check WATER IN FUEL indicator light. The
light should not glow. If it continues to glow, have fuel system checked
and repaired.
ENGINE COOLANT
Checking engine coolant
The concentration and level of engine coolant should be checked at the
mileage intervals listed in the scheduled maintenance guide. The coolant
concentration should be maintained at 50/50 coolant and water, which
equates to a freeze point of -36°C (-34°F). Coolant concentration
testing is possible with a hydrometer or antifreeze tester (such as the
General maintenance information
36

Rotunda Battery and Antifreeze Tester, 014–R1060). The level of coolant
should be maintained at the“cold full”of“cold fill range”level in the
coolant reservoir. If the level falls below, add coolant per the instructions
in theAdding Engine Coolantsection.
Your vehicle was factory-filled with a 50/50 engine coolant and water
concentration. If the concentration of coolant falls below 40% or above
60%, the engine parts could become damaged or not work properly.A
50–50 mixture of coolant and water provides the following:
•freeze protection down to -36°C (-34°F).
•boiling protection up to 129°C (265°F).
•protection against rust and other forms of corrosion.
•enables calibrated gauges to work properly.
When the engine is cold, check the level of the engine coolant in the
reservoir.
•The engine coolant should be at the“cold fill level”or within the“cold
fill range”as listed on the engine coolant reservoir (depending upon
application).
•Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for service interval
schedules.
•Be sure to read and understandPrecautions when servicing your
vehiclein your owner guide.
If the engine coolant has not been checked at the recommended interval,
the engine coolant reservoir may become low or empty. If the reservoir is
low or empty, add engine coolant to the reservoir. Refer toAdding
engine coolantin this chapter.
Note:Automotive fluids are not interchangeable; do not use engine
coolant, antifreeze or windshield washer fluid outside of its specified
function and vehicle location.
Vehicles with Diesel engines typically are used to carry heavy loads and
accumulate mileage rapidly. These two factors cause the additives in the
coolant to“wear out”in a shorter time. For vehicles equipped with green
coolant, Ford recommends an interim service interval performed at 12
months or 24,000 km (15,000 miles), whichever occurs first. Add
237–295 ml (8–10 oz.) of supplemental coolant additive FW-16 to the
cooling system. For vehicles with extensive idling time, add 237–295 ml
(8–10 oz.) of coolant additive FW-16 after every 500 hours of operation.
(see scheduled maintenance guide). For vehicles equipped with yellow
coolant (Extended Life Coolant), the service interval is five years or
General maintenance information
37