Ford Mustang (1999-2004) Service Manual: Supercharger Cooling (Description and Operation)

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.

NOTE: The air that is produced from the supercharger is cooled by the intercooler.

Walter C. Avrea, the owner of patents 3,601,181 and RE 27,965, has granted Ford Motor Company rights with respect to cooling systems covered by these patents.

The cooling system components include the:

  • intercooler
  • intercooler radiator (8K226)
  • pressure relief cap
  • degas bottle
  • electric water pump (8501)

The degas bottle:

  • provides a location for system fill.
  • contains coolant expansion and system pressurization.
  • provides air separation during operation.
  • replenishes the intercooler coolant to the system.

The intercooler coolant flows:

  • from the intercooler to the degas bottle.
  • from the degas bottle to the water pump.
  • from the water pump to the intercooler radiator.
  • from the intercooler radiator to the intercooler.

Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle.

When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and clean, drinkable water.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.

  • Add 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), or Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
  • Do not add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
  • Do not add alcohol, methanol, brine, or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
  • Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification ESEM97B44- A or WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolants can harm the engine and cooling system components.
    Supercharger Cooling
    General Specifications a - Use the same type coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types. b - The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, ...

    Supercharger Cooling (Diagnosis and Testing)
    Special Tool(s) Pressure Test Kit 014-R1072 or equivalent Battery/Antifreeze Tester 014-R1060 or equivalent Material Item Specification Motorcraft Premiu ...

    Other materials:

    Key Programming - Erase All Key Codes and Program Two Keys
    Special Tool(s) Worldwide Diagnostic System (WDS) 418-F224, New Generation STAR (NGS) Tester 418-F052 or equivalent diagnostic tool NOTE: This procedure is used when a customer needs keys programmed into the system and does not have ...

    Sitting in the correct position
    WARNING: Sitting improperly out of position or with the seat back reclined too far can take off weight from the seat cushion and affect the decision of the passenger sensing system, resulting in serious injury or death in a crash. Always sit upright against yo ...

    Component Tests
    Starter Motor -Voltage Drop Test WARNING: When servicing starter motor or carrying out other underhood work in the vicinity of the starter motor, be aware that the heavy gauge battery input lead at the starter solenoid is "electrically hot" at all times. A p ...