Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Pinpoint Test A: Loss Of Coolant
2003 Ford Windstar BaseSECTION Pinpoint Test A: Loss Of Coolant
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Mercury Mariner and 2010 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
Always allow the engine to cool before opening the cooling system. Do not unscrew the coolant pressure relief cap when the engine is operating or the cooling system is hot. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
- A1 CARRY OUT INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION
- Carry out the Inspection and Verification .
- Were any concerns found?
- Yes: REPAIR as needed. TEST the system for normal operation.
- No: GO to A2 .
- A2 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL NOTE: Allow the engine to cool before checking the engine coolant level.
- Ignition OFF.
- Visually inspect the engine coolant level at the degas bottle.
- Is the engine coolant level within specifications?
- Yes: GO to A3 .
- No: ADJUST the engine coolant level as necessary. GO to A3 .
- A3 PRESSURE TEST THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
- Pressure test the engine cooling system. Refer to COMPONENT TESTS, COOLING SYSTEM PRESSURE TEST .
- Does the engine cooling system leak?
- Yes: REPAIR or INSTALL new components. TEST the system for normal operation.
- No: GO to A4 .
- A4 CHECK THE ENGINE COOLANT FOR AN INTERNAL LEAK
- Inspect the engine coolant in the degas bottle for signs of engine oil.
- Is engine oil evident in the coolant?
- Yes: If engine oil is evident, GO to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING for engine diagnosis.
- No: GO to A5 .
- A5 CHECK THE ENGINE OIL FOR COOLANT
- Remove the oil level indicator from the engine.
- Is coolant evident in the oil?
- Yes: If coolant is in the engine oil, GO to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING for engine diagnosis.
- No: GO to A6 .
- A6 CHECK THE COOLING SYSTEM FOR COMBUSTION GASES
- Using a cooling system combustion gas leak tester, following the instructions supplied with the tester, check the coolant for combustion gases.
- Are combustion gases present?
NOTE: Use U-View® Combustion Leak Tester part number 560000 or equivalent.- Yes: GO to DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING for engine diagnosis.
- No: The cooling system is operational.
RENDER: 1.0x
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.