Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Cooling System Draining, Filling and BleedingSpecial Tool(s):
Material:
Draining
1. WARNING: When releasing the system pressure, cover the pressure relief cap with a thick cloth to prevent the possibility of coolant scalding. Failure to follow this instruction can result in personal injury.
CAUTION: The coolant must be recovered in a suitable, clean container for reuse. If the coolant is contaminated it must be recycled or disposed of correctly.
CAUTION: All vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent. Always refill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.
NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
Release the cooling system pressure by slowly turning the pressure relief cap a quarter of a turn.
2. Remove the pressure relief cap when all the pressure has been released.
3. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Maintenance/Service and Repair.
Material:
4. Remove the retainers and the engine undershield.
5. NOTE: Drain the coolant into a suitable container.
Open the radiator drain valve to drain the coolant.
6. Close the drain valve when all the coolant has been drained from the system.
7. Install the retainers and the engine undershield.
Filling and Bleeding with RADKITPLUS
1. Using the special tool, install the RADKITPLUS and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
Filling and Bleeding without RADKITPLUS
CAUTION:
Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency, and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle.
When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
^ Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
^ Do not add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D or green colored Premium Engine Coolant. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
^ Do not add alcohol, methanol or brine, or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
^ Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
^ Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Follow your community's regulations and standards for recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
1. Fill the degas bottle to 15 mm (0.60 inch) above the max level mark (with the engine switched off).
2. Install the degas bottle cap.
3. Start the engine, run and hold at 2500 rpm for approximately 8 minutes until the thermostat opens, then for another 3 minutes after the thermostat opens.
4. Increase the engine speed briefly to 4000 rpm and hold for approximately 5 seconds.
5. Return the engine speed to 2500 rpm and hold for another 3 minutes.
6. WARNING: To avoid personal injury, do not unscrew the coolant pressure relief cap while the engine is operating or hot. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly. Failure to follow these instructions can result in personal injury.
Stop the engine and check for any leaks.