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

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Cooling fan motor assembly × 1 — Motorcraft YB3150 or equivalent
• Fan shroud to radiator clips (if damaged) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 1.5 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cool to the touch (minimum 2 hours after last operation)
2. Disconnect negative battery cable and secure away from battery post
3. Place drain pan under radiator drain valve
4. Open radiator cap slowly to relieve any residual pressure
5. Drain approximately 2 quarts of coolant from radiator petcock valve into drain pan
6. Close radiator drain valve securely

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove air intake components
   Loosen clamp at throttle body and disconnect air intake tube. Remove air filter housing cover and lift out air filter element. Disconnect mass airflow sensor electrical connector and remove entire air intake assembly to create access to the cooling fan shroud.
2. 2

   Disconnect upper radiator hose
   Locate the upper radiator hose connection at the radiator. Use pliers to slide the hose clamp back approximately 2 inches from the radiator neck. Twist the hose gently to break the seal, then pull the hose off the radiator fitting. Have shop towels ready to catch residual coolant.
3. 3

   Disconnect transmission cooler lines (if equipped)
   Locate the two transmission cooler lines that pass through the lower fan shroud on vehicles with automatic transmission. Using a 10mm socket, loosen the mounting clips that secure these lines to the shroud. Carefully separate the lines from the shroud brackets without disconnecting the lines themselves.
   ⚠Do not disconnect the transmission cooler lines from the radiator unless replacement is required. Simply separate them from the shroud mounting clips.
4. 4

   Disconnect fan motor electrical connector
   Locate the cooling fan motor electrical connector on the passenger side of the fan shroud. Press the release tab and pull the connector straight off the fan motor terminals. Route the wiring harness clear of the shroud.
5. 5

   Remove fan shroud mounting bolts
   Remove the two upper mounting bolts that secure the fan shroud to the radiator support using a 10mm socket. These bolts are located at the top corners of the shroud. On some models, there may be additional lower mounting clips that slide into the radiator tank.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove fan shroud assembly
   Carefully lift the fan shroud assembly straight up and out of the engine bay. The lower portion of the shroud has alignment tabs that fit into slots on the radiator. Lift vertically to disengage these tabs, then tilt the shroud toward the engine slightly to clear the radiator. Place the shroud on a clean work surface with the fan motor facing up.
   ⚠Keep the shroud clear of the radiator fins during removal to prevent damage. The assembly is approximately 15 pounds and awkward to handle.
7. 7

   Remove fan motor retaining bolts
   With the shroud on the work surface, locate the three fan motor mounting bolts on the back side of the shroud. Using an 8mm socket, remove all three bolts securing the motor to the shroud. Keep these bolts organized as they will be reused.
   Torque spec

   Fan Motor Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Remove fan motor from shroud
   Carefully separate the fan motor from the shroud housing. The motor has locating pins that fit into the shroud. Support the fan blade while removing the motor to prevent stress on the blade. Inspect the rubber mounting grommets for wear or damage.
9. 9

   Install new fan motor
   Position the new fan motor into the shroud, aligning the locating pins with the corresponding holes in the shroud. Ensure the motor mounting surface sits flush against the shroud and that any rubber grommets are properly seated. The fan blade should rotate freely without contacting the shroud.
10. 10

    Install fan motor bolts
    Insert all three fan motor mounting bolts and hand-thread them completely. Using a torque wrench with an 8mm socket, tighten the bolts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure distribution. Final torque specification is 8.0 Nm (6.0 lb-ft).
    Torque spec

    Fan Motor Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall fan shroud assembly
    Carefully lower the fan shroud assembly into the engine bay. Align the lower tabs with the slots in the radiator tank, then tilt the shroud back to vertical position. Ensure the shroud sits evenly against the radiator and that all alignment features are properly engaged before installing mounting hardware.
12. 12

    Install shroud mounting bolts
    Install the two upper mounting bolts at the top corners of the fan shroud. Hand-thread both bolts first, then torque to 31.0 Nm (23.0 lb-ft) using a 10mm socket and torque wrench. Verify the shroud is seated properly and not binding against any components.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reconnect electrical and cooling system
    Reconnect the fan motor electrical connector until it clicks into place. Reinstall the upper radiator hose onto the radiator neck and slide the hose clamp into position approximately 1/2 inch from the end of the fitting. Reattach transmission cooler line clips to the shroud if previously disconnected.
14. 14

    Reinstall air intake system
    Reinstall the air intake assembly in reverse order of removal. Connect the mass airflow sensor electrical connector, install the air filter element, secure the housing cover, and reconnect the intake tube to the throttle body. Ensure all clamps are tight.
15. 15

    Refill and bleed cooling system
    Add Motorcraft Orange Coolant to the radiator until full. Install the radiator cap. Fill the coolant reservoir to the COLD FULL mark. Reconnect the negative battery cable. Start the engine and allow it to reach operating temperature with the heater on high. Monitor coolant level and add as needed. Check for leaks around the radiator hose connection.
    ℹ️Air pockets in the cooling system may take 2-3 heat cycles to fully purge. Recheck coolant level after the first drive cycle.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connections are fully seated and locked
2. Verify fan blade has at least 1/2 inch clearance to shroud on all sides
3. Double-check that transmission cooler lines are properly secured to shroud brackets
4. Confirm radiator hose clamps are positioned correctly and tight

Verification

• Start the engine and let idle until cooling fan activates (approximately 200°F). Fan should operate smoothly without excessive noise or vibration
• Verify fan motor stops when engine temperature drops below activation threshold
• Check for coolant leaks around upper radiator hose connection
• Confirm no warning lights are illuminated on instrument cluster
• Test drive vehicle and verify cooling system maintains normal operating temperature (190-210°F)
• Recheck coolant level in reservoir after engine cools and top off if necessary

More procedures for this vehicle