TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
3.3L/3.5L Duratec/3.5L EcoBoost/5.0L - Without Block Heater - Lack Of
Heat When Operating In Temperatures Below -20°C (4°F)

18-2244
20 August
2018

Model:
Ford
2015-2018 F-150
Issue: Some 2015-2018 F-150 vehicles equipped with a 3.3L, 3.5L Duratec, 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L engine without
a block heater may exhibit a lack of heat concern from the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system
when operating the vehicle in temperatures consistently below -20°C (4°F). This condition may be due to deposits
from the engine coolant becoming trapped in the heater core.
Action: Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
Parts
Part Number

Description

Quantity

6E5Z-19E889-D Thermostatic Expansion Valve Manifold O-ring

1

6E5Z-19E889-E Thermostatic Expansion Valve Manifold O-ring

1

HL3Z-8255-A

Thermostat O-ring Seal - 3.5L EcoBoost

1

BR3Z-8255-A

Thermostat O-ring Seal - 5.0L, 3.3L/3.5L Duratec

1

N808684-S101 Steering Shaft Bolt

1

FL3Z-18476-B

Heater Core

1

BC3Z-8287-C

Heater Core Line Clips

1

W718633-S451 Front Seat Bolt
FPS 8262

8

Authorized Modification Label

1

VC-1

Motorcraft® Premium Cooling System Flush

1

YN-35

Motorcraft® R-1234yf Refrigerant PAG Oil (2017-2018 F-150)

1

YN-12-D

Motorcraft® PAG Refrigerant Compressor Oil (2015-2016 F-150)

1

VC-13-G

Motorcraft® Yellow Concentrated Antifreeze/Coolant

2

Warranty Status: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage Warranty/ESP coverage
limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. Warranty/ESP coverage limits are determined by the
identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.
Labor Times
Description

Operation
Time
No.

2015-2017 F-150 3.5L Duratec, 2015-2018 F150 3.5L GTDI, 2018 F150 3.3L 40/40 Seat:, Test
Heater Core Temperature, Flush Cooling System And Replace The Heater Core (Do Not Use
With Any Other Labor Operations Outside Of This Article)

182244A

7.6
Hrs.

2015-2017 F-150 3.5L Duratec, 2015-2018 F150 3.5L GTDI, 2018 F150 3.3L 40/20/40 Seat:
Test Heater Core Temperature, Flush Cooling System And Replace The Heater Core (Do Not
Use With Any Other Labor Operations Outside Of This Article)

182244B

8.1
Hrs.

2015-2017 F-150 3.5L Duratec, 2015-2018 F150 3.5L GTDI, 2018 F150 3.3L Floor Shift: Test
Heater Core Temperature, Flush Cooling System And Replace The Heater Core (Do Not Use
With Any Other Labor Operations Outside Of This Article)

182244C

8.3
Hrs.

2015-2017 F-150 3.5L Duratec, 2015-2018 F150 3.5L GTDI, 2018 F150 3.3L Console: Test

182244D

8.0

Heater Core Temperature, Flush Cooling System And Replace The Heater Core (Do Not Use
With Any Other Labor Operations Outside Of This Article)

Hrs.

2015-2018 F-150 5.0L 40/40 Seat: Test Heater Core Temperature, Flush Cooling System And
Replace The Heater Core (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations Outside Of This
Article)

182244E

8.8
Hrs.

2015-2018 F-150 5.0L 40/20/40 Seat: Test Heater Core Temperature, Flush Cooling System
And Replace The Heater Core (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations Outside Of This
Article)

182244F

9.1
Hrs.

2015-2018 F-150 5.0L Floor Shift: Test Heater Core Temperature, Flush Cooling System And
Replace The Heater Core (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations Outside Of This
Article)

182244G

9.3
Hrs.

2015-2018 F-150 5.0L Console: Test Heater Core Temperature, Flush Cooling System And
Replace The Heater Core (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations Outside Of This
Article)

182244H

9.1
Hrs.

Additional Time To Remove And Install Police Equipment That Interferes With Repair (Can Be
Claimed With Labor Operations A - H)

MT182244 Actual
Time

Repair/Claim Coding
Causal Part:

18476

Condition Code: 55

Service Procedure
1. Does the vehicle exhibit a lack of heat from the vents when operated in temperatures consistently below -20°C
(4°F)?
(1). Yes - proceed to Step 2.
(2). No - this article does not apply. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 412-00 for normal diagnostics.
2. Run the engine until it reaches normal operating temperature. Select the floor position on the control assembly.
Set the temperature control to full warm and the blower to medium setting.
3. Increase the engine speed to 3,500 revolutions per minute (RPM). After 30 seconds, allow the engine to return to
idle for an additional 30 seconds.
4. Using a suitable temperature measuring device, measure the heater core inlet hose temperature. Is the heater
core inlet hose temperature above 66°C (150°F)?
(1). Yes - proceed to Step 5.
(2). No - this article does not apply. Refer to WSM, Section 412-00 for normal diagnostics.
5. Measure the heater core inlet and outlet hose temperature. Are the hose temperatures within 6-17°C (10-30°F)?
(1). Yes - this article does not apply. Refer to WSM, Section 412-00.
(2). No - proceed to Step 6.
6. Drain the cooling system. Refer to WSM, Section 303-03.
7. On vehicles equipped with the 5.0L engine, remove the coolant hoses from the transmission fluid warmer. Refer to
WSM, Section 307-02.
8. Remove the thermostat. Refer to WSM, Section 303-03.
9. Disconnect the lower radiator hose.
10. Using a garden hose, flush the inlet and outlet radiator hoses for 2 minutes each.
11. Reassemble the thermostat housing without the thermostat installed. Do not reconnect the radiator hoses to the
housing at this time.
12. Using a garden hose, flush the degas bottle for 2 minutes.
13. Close the radiator drain valve.
14. On vehicles equipped with the 5.0L engine, re-attach the coolant hoses to the transmission fluid warmer.

15. Disconnect the inlet and outlet heater core hoses from the heater core. Refer to WSM, Section 412-00.
16. Using a garden hose, flush the inlet and outlet heater hoses back toward the engine for 5 minutes each.
17. Reattach all hoses except for the inlet and outlet heater hoses.
18. Using pinch pliers, clamp off the inlet and outlet heater hoses.
19. Add 1 bottle of Motorcraft® Premium Cooling System Flush and fill the rest of the cooling system with water.
20. Connect the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool to the vehicle and start the engine.
21. Allow the engine to reach normal operating temperature.
22. Run the engine at 2,500 RPM for 15 minutes with the climate control system off.
23. Return the engine to idle. Using the appropriate Ford diagnostic scan tool, command the cooling fans on high
speed for 5 minutes.
24. Turn the engine off and open the degas bottle cap carefully as the water could be hot. Refer to WSM, Section
303-03.
25. Drain the cooling system. Refer to WSM, Section 303-03.
26. On vehicles equipped with the 5.0L engine, remove the coolant hoses from the transmission fluid warmer.
27. Using a garden hose, flush the degas bottle at the cap opening for 2 minutes.
28. Close the radiator drain valve.
29. On vehicles equipped with the 5.0L engine, reattach the coolant hoses to the transmission fluid warmer.
30. Fill the cooling system with water. Refer to WSM, Section 303-03.
31. Repeat Steps 20 through 27.
32. Remove the pinch pliers from the inlet and outlet heater core hoses and backflush toward the engine with a
garden hose for 1 minute each.
33. On vehicles equipped with the 5.0L engine, using a garden hose, flush the transmission fluid warmer coolant inlet
and outlet with water for 1 minute each.
34. Using a garden hose, flush the degas bottle with water for 2 minutes.
35. If equipped, disconnect the coolant hoses from the engine oil cooler and flush the inlet and outlet ports of the
cooler with water for 1 minute each. Reconnect the hoses. Refer to WSM, Section 303-01.
36. Remove the block heater plug and allow the water to drain from the engine block. Once the engine block is
drained, install the block heater plug. Refer to WSM, Section 303-03.
37. Install the thermostat. Refer to WSM, Section 303-03.
38. On vehicles equipped with the 5.0L engine, reconnect the coolant hoses to the transmission fluid warmer.
39. Replace the heater core. Clean the heater core inlet and outlet metal tubes with hot water until free of deposits.
Refer to WSM, Section 412-00.
40. Fill the cooling system. Refer to WSM, Section 303-03 to determine the correct coolant concentration based on
the climate.
41. Fill out FPS-8262 Authorized Modification Label with the following text: "Use Only Motorcraft® VC-13-G Yellow
Coolant"
42. Clean the coolant reservoir surface with isopropyl alcohol or equivalent and apply the Authorized Modification
Label.
43. Advise the owner or driver that the unit is using a different coolant (Motorcraft® VC-13-G Yellow Coolant) for the
environmental conditions. Highlight the coolant used on the customer's copy of the repair order.

© 2018 Ford Motor Company
All rights reserved.
NOTE: The information in Technical Service Bulletins is intended for use by trained, professional technicians with the knowledge, tools, and
equipment to do the job properly and safely. It informs these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or provides information
that could assist in proper vehicle service. The procedures should not be performed by "do-it-yourselfers". Do not assume that a condition
described affects your car or truck. Contact a Ford or Lincoln dealership to determine whether the Bulletin applies to your vehicle. Warranty Policy
and Extended Service Plan documentation determine Warranty and/or Extended Service Plan coverage unless stated otherwise in the TSB article.
The information in this Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) was current at the time of printing. Ford Motor Company reserves the right to supersede
this information with updates. The most recent information is available through Ford Motor Company's on-line technical resources.