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Engine Cooling

The Scorpio coolant system uses a conventional pump-assisted convection cooling system. A header tank is sealed from the air with a pressure cap and this provides expansion without contact with atmosphere. The coolant radiator is mounted behind the aircon heat exchanger and is provided with two electric fans that are commanded on by the Powertrain Control Module.

On DOHC and Diesel models the thermostat is mounted an the front of the cylinder head and restricts the flow of water through the cylinder head to the radiator, and on the 12V the thermostat is in the usual place on the front of the engine block.  On the 24V the thermostat is a two way device, regulating the coolant back through the heads and/or through the radiator as the temperature of the coolant rises.

24V owners have discovered cases of ballooned radiators, where the water channels have expanded without any noticeable symptoms. This issue is discussed here. The current theory suggests that the thermostat may be to blame for pressure surges that over-pressurise the radiator. In cases where a new radiator is installed we currently recommend that the thermostat is changed too. NOTE: the workshop manual for the 24V Thermostat is incorrect - it shows the older Granada 24V thermostat (BOA engine).  The 24V Scorpio (BOB) thermostat is a bypass-type mounted on the coolant pipe and diverts coolant from circulating round the cylinder heads to the radiator when hot. It is found on the passenger side of the engine, normally behind the aircon compressor.

The following are the sections from the Workshop Manual from the TIS sent to us by Ford (Europe) converted to PDF format. Please respect Ford Copyright.