FORD AEROSTAR 1996 1.G Owners Manual

283 %
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[SV13775(ALL)01/95]
Checking and Adding Engine Oil
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[SV13800(ALL)03/95]
Since the proper amount of engine oil is
important for safe engine operation, check the oil
using the dipstick each time you put fuel in
your vehicle. Remember the engine must be off,
the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be
parked on level ground.
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[SV13900(ALL)03/95]
Checking the engine oil level:
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[SV14000(ALL)02/95]
1. Turn the engine off after it has warmed up
and allow a few minutes for the engine oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
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[SV14050(ALL)03/95]
2. Set the parking brake, making sure the
gearshift is securely latched in P (Park).
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[SV14100(ALL)02/95]
3. Open the hood. Protect yourself from engine
heat.
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[SV14200(ALL)03/95]
4. Locate the engine oil dipstick (highlighted in
yellow) and carefully pull it out of the
engine.
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[SV14300(ALL)01/95]
5. Wipe the dipstick clean and put it back into
position, making sure it is fully seated.
[SV14400(ALL)06/95]
quarter page art:0095016-A
Engine oil dipstick
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284
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[SV14500(ALL)03/95]
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.
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[SV14600(ALL)01/95]
7. Put the dipstick back in and make sure it is
fully seated.
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[SV14700(ALL)03/95]
Adding engine oil
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[SV14800(ALL)01/95]
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.
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[SV15000(ALL)03/95]
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.
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[SV17300(ALL)03/95]
Engine Coolant
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[SV17400(ALL)03/95]
Checking the Engine Coolant
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[SV17500(ALL)02/95]
NOTE: Be sure to read and understand
Precautions When Servicing Your
Vehicleat the beginning of this chapter.
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[SV17700(ALL)08/95]
Your vehicle's engine coolant protects the engine
from overheating in the summer and from
freezing in the winter. Check the level of the
engine coolant at least once a month, but
preferably each time you stop for fuel. Simply
look at the engine coolant recovery reservoir
located in the engine compartment. To locate
this reservoir, see the diagram of your vehicle's
engine underEngine Compartmentin this chapter.
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285 [SV17740(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap
while the engine is running or hot.
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[SV17750(ALL)03/95]
If the engine coolant has not been checked for a
long period of time the engine coolant reservoir
may eventually empty. If the engine coolant
reservoir empties, check the engine coolant level
in the radiator. Read the following warnings
before removing the radiator cap. If it is
necessary to fill the radiator, refer to theEngine
Coolant Refill Procedurein this chapter for
instructions.
[SV17765(ALL)08/95]
1. Before you remove the radiator cap, turn the
engine off and let it cool. Even when the
engine is cool, be careful when you remove
the radiator cap.
[SV17770(ALL)05/95]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap and turn it slowly
counterclockwise to the first stop.
[SV17775(ALL)03/95]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV17780(ALL)03/95]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to turn and
remove cap.
[SV17785(ALL)03/95]
5. Stand away from the radiator opening. Hot
steam may blow out or hot engine coolant
may even splash out.
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286 [SV17950(ALL)08/95]Adding Engine Coolant
[SV18000(ALL)08/95]
quarter page art:0020354-A
Adding engine coolant to reservoir
[SV20075()08/95]
RWARNING
Be careful not to add engine coolant to
the windshield washer fluid reservoir. If
sprayed on the windshield, engine coolant
could make it difficult to see through the
windshield.
[SV20100()08/95]
When the engine is cool, add a 50/50 mixture of
engine coolant and water to the engine coolant
recovery reservoir - DO NOT ADD DIRECTLY
TO THE RADIATOR. Add straight water only in
an emergency, but you should replace it with a
50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water as
soon as possible.
[SV20125()08/95]
Check the coolant level in the coolant recovery
reservoir the next few times you drive the
vehicle. If necessary, add enough of a 50/50
mixture of coolant and water to bring the liquid
level to the fill line on the reservoir.
[SV20150()08/95]
RWARNING
Never remove the coolant recovery cap
while the engine is running or hot.
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287 [SV20175()08/95]
If you must remove the coolant recovery cap,
follow these steps to avoid personal injury
casued by escaping steam or engine coolant:
[SV20200()08/95]
1. Before you remove the cap, turn the engine
off and let it cool.
[SV20225()08/95]
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth
around the cap and turn it slowly,
counterclockwise to the first stop.
[SV20250()08/95]
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
[SV20275()08/95]
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has
been released, use the cloth to press the cap
down, turn it counterclockwise, and remove
it.
[SV20295()08/95]
UseFord Premium Engine Coolant
E2FZ-19549-AA(in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B)
or an equivalent premium engine coolant that
meets Ford Specification ESE-M97B44-A. Ford
Premium Engine Coolant is an optimized
formula that will protect all metals and rubber
elastomers used in Ford cooling systems for 4
years or 50,000 miles (80,000 km).
[SV20300()08/95]
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.
[SV20325()08/95]
Recycled engine coolant
[SV20350()08/95]
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.
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288 [SV20375()08/95]Always dispose of used automotive fluids in a
responsible manner. Follow your community's
regulations and standards for recycling and
disposing of automotive fluids.
[SV20400()08/95]
Coolant refill capacity
[SV20425()08/95]
To find out how much fluid your vehicle's
cooling system can hold, seeRefill capacities for
fluidsin the Index.
[SV20450()08/95]
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.
[SV20475()08/95]
Severe winter climate
[SV20490()08/95]
If you drive in extremely cold climates (less than
-34ÊF [-36ÊC]), it may benecessary to increase
the coolant concentration above 50%. Refer to
the chart on the coolant container to ensure the
coolant concentration in your vehicle is such that
the coolant will not freeze at the temperature
level in which you drive during winter months.
Never increase the engine coolant concentration
above 60%. Leave a 50/50 mixture of engine
coolant and water in your vehicle year-round in
non-extreme climates.
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[SV20500(ALL)08/95]
Checking Hoses
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[SV20600(ALL)10/89]
Inspect all engine and heater system hoses for
deterioration, leaks and loose clamps before
adding or replacing engine coolant. Make
whatever repairs or replacements that are
necessary using Motorcraft parts or their
equivalents.
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289 %
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[SV20700(ALL)08/95]
Engine Coolant Drain and Flush
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[SV20800(ALL)10/89]
To drain your vehicle's engine coolant:
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[SV20900(ALL)03/94]
1. Turn off the engine and let it cool. Fully
depressurize the engine cooling system by
covering the radiator cap with a thick cloth
and turning it slowly counterclockwise to the
first stop. Step back while the pressure
releases.
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[SV20950(ALL)05/90]
2. Remove the cap.
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[SV21000(ALL)05/90]
3. Attach a small hose to the drain tube at the
bottom of the radiator.
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[SV21200(ALL)05/90]
4. Let the engine coolant drain into a suitable
container. Disconnect the lower radiator hose
at the radiator connector and drain any
remaining engine coolant into a container.
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[SV21225(ALL)05/94]
5. Reconnect the lower radiator hose and close
the radiator drain cock.
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[SV21250(ALL)05/95]
Proper procedures for flushing the cooling
system can be found in theService Manual.
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[SV21300(ALL)08/95]
Engine coolant refill procedure
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[SV21400(ALL)10/89]
After you have drained the engine cooling
system:
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[SV21500(ALL)01/89]
1. Fill the radiator with a 50/50 mixture of the
specified engine coolant concentrate and
water. Allow several minutes for trapped air
to escape (bubble out) and for engine coolant
to flow through the radiator.
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[SV21900(ALL)03/94]
2. Replace the radiator cap to its fully installed
position, then back off to the first stop. This
will prevent high pressure from building up
in the cooling system during this part of the
fill procedure.
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290 [SV22000(ALL)03/91]3. Turn the heater (temperature and mode
selection) knobs to maximum heat positions
and operate the engine at fast idle
(approximately 2000 RPM) for three to four
minutes.
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[SV22200(ALL)05/95]
4. Shut off the engine and allow the engine to
cool. Cover the radiator cap with a thick
cloth and cautiously remove it. Step back
while the pressure releases.
[SV22300(ALL)05/89]
5. Add the engine coolant mixture to a level
approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches (38 mm)
below the filler neck seat.
[SV22400(ALL)05/89]
6. Reinstall the radiator cap fully and back off
to the first stop. Once again, turn the engine
at fast idle until the upper radiator hose is
warm and the thermostat is open.
[SV22550(ALL)05/89]
7. Finally, check the radiator and add more
engine coolant if needed, following the
procedures noted above. Reinstall the
radiator cap securely, when finished.
[SV22555(ALL)05/95]
8. If more engine coolant is necessary, remove
the small plug from the top of the engine
coolant recovery reservoir (not the large cap
of the windshield washer reservoir) and add
1.1 quarts (1 liter) of the 50/50 engine
coolant mixture. Replace the plug in its
original position.
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[SV22565(ALL)08/95]
NOTE: Due to air being trapped in the 4.0L
engine cooling system, it is not
unusual to experiencea4to7ounce
(120 to 210 ml) coolant loss up to 7,500
miles (12,000 km) after initial system
fill.
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291
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[SV22620(ALL)06/95]
In order to bleed the cooling system properly
after initial fill with coolant, it might need up
to five cycles of:
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[SV22630(ALL)06/95]
q
heating up the system (thermostat open)
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[SV22640(ALL)06/95]
q
making sure coolant is at least up to the
cold fill mark of overflow bottle
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[SV22650(ALL)06/95]
q
letting the coolant cool down (engine
coolant temperature gauge below the N of
NORMAL)
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[SV22660(ALL)06/95]
q
topping off the coolant overflow bottle to
the cold fill mark
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[SV22680(ALL)06/95]
If coolant loss continues after 7,500 miles
(12,000 km), consult your Ford Dealer.
%
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[SV22700(ALL)03/95]
Windshield Washer Fluid and
Wipers
%*
[SV22800(ALL)03/95]
Washer Fluid
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[SV22900(ALL)01/95]
Check the level of the windshield washer fluid
every time you stop for fuel. The reservoir for
the windshield washer fluid is located in the
engine compartment.
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[SV23300(ALL)05/95]
RWARNING
Do not put windshield washer fluid in the
container for the engine coolant.
[SV23400(ALL)01/89]
quarter page art:0020358-A
Windshield washer reservoir
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292 %
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[SV23850(ALL)01/95]
Use specially formulated windshield washer
fluid rather than plain water, because specially
formulated washer fluids contain additives that
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
(VOC's) 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.
*
[SV23900(ALL)10/89]
If you choose to use a windshield washing
solution that must be mixed, follow the
manufacturer's mixing instructions. Improperly
mixed solutions may freeze unexpectedly.
*
[SV24300(ALL)03/90]
Checking/adding the washer fluid for the
liftgate
[SV24400(ALL)03/95]
Check the liftgate washer reservoir regularly.
This is not the same reservoir your front
windshield wipers use. The opening for this
reservoir is on the right side of the liftgate above
the tail lamp. A fill cup is located on top of the
right hand tail lamp and is accessible when the
liftgate is open. Close the fill cup cover after
filling and before closing the liftgate. Refill this
reservoir with the same solution you use for
your windshield. To find out how much washer
fluid the liftgate reservoir holds, seeRefill
capacitiesin the Index.
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