FORD MUSTANG 2003 Workshop Manual
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Engine and Radiator Flushing
1. 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, turn and remove the pressure relief cap (still
with a cloth).
Once pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap/radiator cap.
2. Drain the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
3. Remove the coolant thermostat. For additional information, refer to Thermostat — 3.8L ,
Thermostat — 4.6L(2V) or
Thermostat — 4.6L(4V) in this section.
SECTION 303-
03A: Engine Cooling 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
Coolant System
Drain/Flush/Fill
164-
R3673 or equivalent Flush Kit
164-
R3658 or equivalent Drain Kit
164-
R3662 or equivalent
Material Item Specification
Motorcraft Premium Cooling
System Flush
VC-
1 or equivalent ESR-
M14P7-A Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
VC
-7-A (in Oregon VC-7- B)
(yellow color) WSS-
M97B51-
A1 Klj . 1 ba
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4. Install the coolant hose connection without the thermostat.
5.
NOTE: Refer to the cooling system flusher manufacturer's operating instructions for specific
vehicle hook- up.
NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft
Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
Using an appropriate cooling system flusher, flush the engine and radiator.
Use Ford Premium Cooling System Flush VC-1 or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESR-
M14P7-A. Always flush the cooling system with water thoroughly after using the VC- 1 flush and
prior to filling the cooling system with the same coolant that was present in the system. Do not
mix coolant types.
6. Install the thermostat.
7. Backflush the heater core. For additional information, refer to Heater Core Backflushing in this
section.
8. Fill the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section. Klj . 2 ba
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GENERAL PROCEDURES
Heater Core Backflushing
1. 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 is 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, turn and remove the pressure relief cap (still
with a cloth).
Once pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.
2. Partially drain the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
3. NOTE: For additional information, refer to the cooling system flusher manufacturer's operating
instructions for particular vehicle hook- up.
Use an appropriate cooling system flusher to backflush the heater core. Use Motorcraft Cooling
System Flush VC-1 or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESR- M14P7-A. Flush with water
thoroughly after using VC- 1 or equivalent prior to refilling the cooling system
4. Fill the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
SECTION 303-
03A: Engine Cooling 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Special Tool(s)
Flush Kit
164-
R3658 or equivalent Drain Kit
164-
R3662 or equivalent
Material Item Specification
Motorcraft Premium Cooling
System Flush
VC-
1 or equivalent ESR-
M14P7-A Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
VC
-7-A (in Oregon VC-7- B)
(yellow color) WSS-
M97B51-
A1 Klj . 1 ba
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Klj . 2 ba
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Thermostat —
3.8L
Removal and Installation 1. Drain the engine coolant. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
2. Disconnect the upper radiator hose from the coolant hose connection.
3. Remove the thermostat housing. zRemove the bolts.
4. Remove the thermostat. zClean and inspect the water outlet connection.
z Discard the thermostat gasket, and clean and inspect the mating surface.
SECTION 303-
03A: Engine Cooling 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Material
Item Specification
Gasket Adhesive
TA-
6 or equivalent WSS-
M2G408-
A Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
VC
-7-A (in Oregon VC-7- B)
(yellow color) WSS-
M97B51-
A1 Klj . 1 ba
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5. Clean and inspect the thermostat mating surface at the engine.
6.
NOTE: The thermostat is indexed and must be returned to the original location.
NOTE: Coat the new thermostat gasket with gasket adhesive.
NOTE: Make sure the new O- ring gasket is secure around the thermostat.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
7. Fill the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section. Klj . 2 ba
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Thermostat —
4.6L(2V)
Removal and Installation 1. Drain the engine coolant. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
2. Remove the bolts and coolant outlet connection.
3. Position aside the coolant outlet connection and the upper radiator hose.
4. Remove the thermostat and O- ring seal from the upper intake manifold.
z Inspect the O- ring seal. Install a new seal if necessary.
SECTION 303-
03A: Engine Cooling 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Material
Item Specification
Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
VC
-7-A (in Oregon VC-7- B)
(yellow color) WSS-
M97B51-
A1 Klj . 1 ba
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5. To install, reverse the removal procedure. Klj . 2 ba
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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
Thermostat —
4.6L(4V)
Removal and Installation 1. With the vehicle in neutral, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Section 100 -
02 .
2. Drain the engine coolant. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
3. Remove the thermostat housing bolts.
4. Remove the coolant thermostat. 1. Separate the thermostat housing.
2. Remove the coolant thermostat and the O- ring seal.
z Inspect the O- ring seal. Install a new seal, if necessary.
5. NOTE: The thermostat is indexed and must be returned to the original location. NOTE: Make sure the new O - ring seal is secure around the thermostat. SECTION 303-
03A: Engine Cooling 2003 Mustang Workshop Manual Material
Item Specification
Motorcraft Premium Gold
Engine Coolant
VC
-7-A (in Oregon VC-7- B)
(yellow color) WSS-
M97B51-
A1 Klj . 1 ba
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