Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Draining
WARNING: Always allow the engine to cool before opening the cooling system. Do not unscrew the coolant pressure relief cap when the engine is operating or the cooling system is 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 may result in serious personal injury.
NOTICE: 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. Using contaminated coolant may result in damage to the engine or cooling system components.
NOTICE: Early build vehicle (built before January 19, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft(R) Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Late build vehicle (built on or after January 19, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft(R) Specialty Green Engine Coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of the coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.
NOTE: Stop-leak style pellets/products must not be used as an additive in this engine cooling system. The addition of stop-leak style pellets/products can clog or damage the cooling system resulting in degraded cooling system performance and/or failure.
NOTE: Less than 80% of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Release the pressure in the cooling system by slowly turning the pressure relief cap one half turn counterclockwise. When the pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.
3. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock.
- Open the draincock and allow to drain.
- Close the draincock after draining.
Filling and Bleeding with RADIATOR REFILLER
1. NOTICE: Early build vehicle (built before January 19, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft(R) Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Late build vehicle (built on or after January 19, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft(R) Specialty Green Engine Coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of the coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.
Install the RADIATOR REFILLER and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
Filling and Bleeding without RADIATOR REFILLER
NOTICE: 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:
- Add the correct coolant type to the engine cooling system. Early build vehicle (built before January 19, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft(R) Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Late build vehicle (built on or after January 19, 2009) cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft(R) Specialty Green Engine Coolant. Mixing different coolant types (Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant, Motorcraft(R) Premium Gold Engine Coolant, Motorcraft(R) Premium Engine Coolant or Motorcraft(R) Specialty Green Engine Coolant) degrades the corrosion protection of the original coolant. Do not mix any type of coolants.
- 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.
- Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Follow community regulations and standards for recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
NOTE: Stop-leak style pellets/products must not be used as an additive in this engine cooling system. The addition of stop-leak style pellets/products can clog or damage the cooling system resulting in degraded cooling system performance and/or failure.
1. Open the degas bottle cap and fill the degas bottle to the MAX fill line.
2. Idle the engine for 2 minutes with the degas bottle cap off, then turn the key to the OFF position.
3. If necessary, fill the degas bottle to the MAX fill line again.
4. Close the degas bottle cap.
5. NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level drops below the minimum fill line, shut off the engine and add fluid to the degas bottle maximum fill line once the engine cools. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the engine.
Start and run the engine at 2,500 rpm for 5 minutes.
6. Turn the key to the OFF position.
7. WARNING: Always allow the engine to cool before opening the cooling system. Do not unscrew the coolant pressure relief cap when the engine is operating or the cooling system is 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 may result in serious personal injury.
Check the engine coolant level in degas bottle and fill as necessary.