Ford F150 Pickup. Instruction - part 1009

Special Tool(s) 

Fig. 3: Identifying Special Tool(s) 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

Material 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Supercharger Cooling - F150 Pickup

  

Fig. 4: Material Specification 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

Inspection & Verification 

WARNING:

Never remove the pressure relief cap while the engine is operating or 
when the cooling system is hot. Failure to follow these instructions can 
result in damage to the cooling system or engine or personal injury. To 
avoid having scalding hot coolant or steam blow out of the degas bottle 
when removing the pressure relief cap, wait until the engine has cooled, 
then wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it slowly. 
Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When 
you are sure all the pressure has been released, (still with a cloth) turn 
and remove the pressure relief cap.

CAUTION: Check the coolant and engine oil levels. Top off the coolant level if 

needed. If there is engine coolant in the engine oil, the cause must be 
corrected and the oil changed or major component damage can occur.

CAUTION: Some vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Engine 

Coolant VC-4-A (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) or equivalent meeting 
Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (Green color). Others are filled with 
Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Supercharger Cooling - F150 Pickup

  

1. Verify the customer's concern by operating the engine to duplicate the condition.  

2. Inspect to determine if any of the following mechanical or electrical concerns apply. 

Fig. 5: Supercharger Cooling Visual Inspection Chart 
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO. 

3. If the inspection reveals an obvious concern that can be readily identified, repair it as necessary.  

4. Inspect the coolant condition. 

Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (Yellow color). Always fill the cooling 
system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix 
coolant types.

NOTE:

The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens 
Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from Yellow to Golden Tan.

WARNING:

Never remove the pressure relief cap while the engine is 
operating or when the cooling system is hot. Failure to follow 
these instructions can result in damage to the cooling system 
or engine or personal injury. To avoid having scalding hot 
coolant or steam blow out of the degas bottle when removing 
the pressure relief cap, wait until the engine has cooled, then 
wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it 
slowly. Step back while the pressure is released from the 
cooling system. When you are sure all the pressure has been 
released, (still with a cloth) turn and remove the pressure relief 

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Supercharger Cooling - F150 Pickup

  

1. Allow the engine to cool. Once pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap. 

2. Inspect the coolant color: 

z

If Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant (Green color) VC-4-A or equivalent meeting Ford 
specification ESE-M97B44-A has a Clear, Light Green or Blue color, this indicates higher 
water content than required. 

z

If Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant (Yellow color) VC-7-A or equivalent meeting 
Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 has a clear or Pale Yellow color, this indicates higher 
water content than required.  

z

Dark Brown can indicate unauthorized stop leak may have been used. Use Motorcraft 
Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC-6 or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-
M99B37-5 except as noted in ES-F65E-19A511-AA only.  

z

A Light or Reddish Brown color indicates that rust may be present in the cooling system. 
Flush the system and refill with the correct mixture of water and engine coolant.  

z

An iridescent sheen on top of the coolant or a Milky Brown color can indicate a trace of oil is 
entering the system. For additional information on engine diagnosis, refer to ENGINE 
SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION .  

3. If the engine coolant appearance is acceptable, test the engine coolant freezing point range with the 

special tool. The freezing point should be in the range -50°F to -10°F. If the vehicle is driven in 
cold climates less than -34°F, it may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration to get 
adequate freeze protection. 

z

Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40.  

z

Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60. 

cap.

CAUTION: Check the coolant and engine oil level and top off the coolant if 

needed. If there is engine coolant in the engine oil the cause 
must be corrected and oil/fluid changed or major component 
damage can occur.

CAUTION: Some vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft 

Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada 
CXC-10) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-
A (Green color). Others are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold 
Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification 
WSS-M97B51-A1 (Yellow color). Always fill the cooling system 
with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix 
coolant types.

NOTE:

The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, 
VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from 
Yellow to Golden Tan.

 

2003 Ford Pickup F150 

2003 ENGINE Supercharger Cooling - F150 Pickup