cooling

Cooling Fan Motor

for 2012 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 Coyote · 4WD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

2.0 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the engine cooling fan motor assembly on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine.

Warnings

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

⚠The cooling fan may engage at any time even with the engine off if coolant temperature is elevated. Disconnect battery before starting work.

⚠Some coolant loss is inevitable during this procedure. Have additional coolant available to top off system after repair.

Tools required

10mm socket and ratchetEssential

8mm socketEssential

Torque wrench (5-40 Nm range)Essential

Extension setEssential

Flathead screwdriver

Drain pan (2 gallon minimum)Essential

Hose clamp pliers

Pick tool or small pry bar

Parts

Engine cooling fan motor assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
Upper radiator hose clamp (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification
Fan shroud clips (if damaged) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 1 qt

Preparation

Ensure engine is completely cold to the touch (minimum 2 hours after last operation)
Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Open hood and secure with prop rod
Disconnect negative battery cable and wait 5 minutes to allow electrical systems to discharge
Place drain pan under radiator drain to catch coolant spillage

Procedure

1
Remove engine cover
Remove the plastic engine cover by pulling upward firmly on the front edge to release the grommet attachments. Set cover aside.
2
Disconnect fan motor electrical connector
Locate the cooling fan motor electrical connector on the passenger side of the fan shroud. Press the locking tab and pull the connector straight out to disconnect. Do not pull on wires.
3
Loosen upper radiator hose clamp
Using hose clamp pliers or flathead screwdriver, loosen the clamp on the upper radiator hose where it connects to the radiator. Slide the clamp back along the hose approximately 3 inches away from the radiator neck. Do not remove the hose completely at this time.
⚠Even with a cool engine, some residual coolant may spill when loosening this connection. Keep drain pan positioned to catch overflow.
Torque spec
Hose Clamps5 Nm (4 lb-ft)
4
Partially detach upper radiator hose
Gently twist and pull the upper radiator hose off the radiator neck. You may need to work it back and forth. Tilt the hose upward and secure it out of the way to minimize coolant spillage. Expect approximately 1 cup of coolant to drain.
5
Remove fan shroud upper mounting bolts
Locate the two upper fan shroud mounting bolts at the top of the radiator support. These are 10mm bolts. Remove both bolts completely and set aside. The fan shroud will remain in place supported by lower tabs.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
6
Release lower shroud retaining clips
At the bottom of the fan shroud, locate the two plastic retaining clips that secure the shroud to the radiator. Using a flathead screwdriver or pick tool, carefully pry the center portion of each clip upward to release. The shroud is now free but still in position.
7
Tilt and remove fan shroud assembly
Carefully tilt the top of the fan shroud toward the engine while lifting upward. Angle the shroud to clear the radiator and fan blades. Once clear, lift the entire fan motor and shroud assembly straight up and out of the engine bay. Work slowly to avoid striking the radiator or AC condenser.
⚠The fan shroud assembly is bulky and can damage the radiator fins if forced. Take your time and ensure adequate clearance during removal.
8
Remove fan motor from shroud
With the shroud assembly on a clean work surface, locate the three fan motor mounting bolts (8mm) securing the motor to the shroud. Remove all three bolts and carefully separate the fan motor from the shroud housing. Note the orientation and position of any spacers or washers.
Torque spec
Fan Motor Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
9
Install new fan motor to shroud
Position the new cooling fan motor into the shroud housing in the same orientation as the original. Ensure any rubber isolators or spacers are properly seated. Install the three mounting bolts and torque to specification in a star pattern to ensure even seating.
Torque spec
Fan Motor Bolts8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
10
Install fan shroud assembly into vehicle
Carefully lower the fan shroud assembly into the engine bay, angling as needed to clear the radiator and fan blade. Ensure the lower tabs on the shroud align with the slots in the radiator support. Seat the shroud fully down onto the lower mounting points.
11
Secure lower shroud clips
Press the two lower plastic retaining clips into their mounting holes until they click and seat fully. Verify the shroud is secure at the bottom by attempting to lift gently.
12
Install upper shroud mounting bolts
Install the two upper 10mm mounting bolts through the shroud and into the radiator support. Torque to specification. Verify the fan shroud is properly aligned and does not contact the fan blades by rotating the fan by hand.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts34 Nm (25 lb-ft)
13
Reconnect upper radiator hose
Position the upper radiator hose back onto the radiator neck, ensuring it is fully seated. Slide the hose clamp back into position approximately 1/2 inch from the end of the neck and tighten to specification.
Torque spec
Hose Clamps5 Nm (4 lb-ft)
14
Reconnect fan motor electrical connector
Plug the electrical connector back into the cooling fan motor until it clicks into place. Tug gently to verify it is locked. Ensure wiring is routed away from moving parts and hot exhaust components.
15
Refill coolant and test system
Reconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the coolant reservoir cap and add Motorcraft Orange Coolant to the COLD FULL line. Start the engine and allow it to reach operating temperature while monitoring the temperature gauge. The cooling fan should engage automatically when coolant temperature reaches approximately 220°F. Check for leaks around the upper radiator hose connection.

Reassembly

Reinstall the engine cover by aligning the grommets and pressing down firmly until all mounting points are seated
Check coolant level after engine has cooled and top off if necessary to the COLD FULL mark
Inspect the area around the radiator hose connection for any signs of coolant seepage after the first test drive

Verification

Start the engine and let it idle until the cooling fan activates automatically (may take 10-15 minutes)
Verify the fan runs smoothly without unusual noise or vibration
Confirm no coolant leaks are present at the upper radiator hose connection
Check that the fan shroud does not contact the fan blades during operation
Verify engine temperature remains in normal operating range (middle of gauge) during and after fan activation

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