cooling

Cooling Fan Assembly

for 2012 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · 4WD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.2 h

Tools

Steps

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the engine cooling fan assembly on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine.

Warnings

⚠️Allow engine to cool completely before beginning work. Coolant system operates under pressure and can cause severe burns if opened while hot.

⚠The cooling fan can engage at any time even with the engine off if coolant temperature is high. Disconnect battery before working near fan blades.

ℹ️This procedure requires partial coolant drain. Have additional coolant available for refilling.

Tools required

10mm socket and ratchetEssential

13mm socket and ratchetEssential

Extension setEssential

Flathead screwdriverEssential

Drain pan (minimum 2 gallon capacity)Essential

Torque wrench (10-40 Nm range)Essential

Pliers

Coolant refill funnel

Parts

Cooling fan assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
Lower radiator hose clamp (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 2 qt

Preparation

Ensure engine is completely cold to the touch (minimum 2 hours after last operation)
Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
Open hood and secure in upright position
Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 2 minutes before proceeding

Procedure

1
Drain coolant from radiator
Place drain pan beneath radiator. Locate the coolant drain plug on the lower driver-side corner of the radiator. Slowly open the drain plug and allow approximately 2-3 quarts of coolant to drain into the pan. This provides clearance to remove the fan shroud without spilling coolant. Close drain plug hand-tight for now.
2
Disconnect upper radiator hose
Locate the upper radiator hose where it connects to the radiator on the passenger side. Use pliers to compress and slide the spring clamp back approximately 2 inches away from the radiator neck. Gently twist and pull the hose off the radiator fitting. Be prepared for residual coolant spillage.
3
Disconnect cooling fan electrical connector
Locate the cooling fan electrical connector on the driver side of the fan shroud. Press the locking tab and pull the connector straight back to disconnect. Route the wiring harness clear of the fan shroud.
4
Remove upper fan shroud bolts
Using a 10mm socket, remove the two upper bolts securing the fan shroud to the radiator support. These bolts are located at the top corners of the fan shroud. Set bolts aside for reinstallation.
5
Remove lower fan shroud clips
At the bottom of the fan shroud, locate two retaining clips that secure the shroud to the lower radiator support. Use a flathead screwdriver to carefully pry the clips outward and upward to release them from the radiator. The fan shroud is now free from the vehicle.
6
Remove cooling fan assembly
Carefully lift the entire cooling fan and shroud assembly straight up and out of the engine bay. Tilt the assembly slightly toward the engine as you lift to clear the radiator. The assembly is bulky but not heavy. Set it on a clean work surface.
7
Install new cooling fan assembly
Position the new cooling fan assembly above the radiator. Tilt slightly toward the engine and carefully lower it into place, ensuring the lower tabs on the shroud align with the slots in the lower radiator support. Push down firmly until the lower clips snap into position with an audible click.
8
Install upper fan shroud bolts
Install the two upper 10mm bolts finger-tight first to ensure proper alignment. Once both bolts are started, tighten them evenly to secure the fan shroud to the radiator support. These bolts do not have a specified torque value; tighten securely but do not over-torque plastic mounting points.
9
Reconnect fan electrical connector
Route the cooling fan wiring harness back to the connector on the fan shroud. Push the connector together firmly until the locking tab clicks into place. Verify the connection is secure by gently pulling on the connector.
10
Reconnect upper radiator hose
Inspect the radiator neck and hose end for debris or damage. Push the upper radiator hose firmly onto the radiator fitting until it bottoms out. Slide the spring clamp back into position over the connection point approximately 1/4 inch from the end of the fitting.
Torque spec
Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
11
Close radiator drain and refill coolant
Tighten the radiator drain plug to specification. Remove the cooling system pressure cap and add Motorcraft Orange Coolant until the radiator is full to the base of the filler neck. Replace the pressure cap. Fill the coolant reservoir to the COLD FULL mark.
Torque spec
Coolant Drain Plug15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
12
Reconnect battery and bleed cooling system
Reconnect the negative battery cable. Start the engine and allow it to reach normal operating temperature with the heater on high. Monitor coolant level and add as needed. Watch for leaks around the upper radiator hose connection. Once the thermostat opens and coolant circulates, recheck the coolant level and top off if necessary.

Reassembly

Verify all electrical connections are properly seated and locked
Confirm upper radiator hose clamp is positioned correctly and secure
Check that both lower fan shroud clips are fully engaged
Ensure no tools or parts remain in the engine compartment

Verification

Start engine and verify cooling fan operates when engine reaches normal temperature (approximately 200°F)
Listen for unusual noises from the fan assembly indicating misalignment or blade contact
Check for coolant leaks around radiator hose connections after 10 minutes of operation
Verify coolant level is at proper mark on reservoir after engine has cooled completely
Test drive vehicle and confirm temperature gauge remains in normal range under various load conditions