Draining, Filling and Bleeding Cooling System

Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Draining

WARNING: Never remove the pressure relief cap under any conditions while the engine is operating. Failure to follow these instructions can result in damage to the cooling system or engine, or result in personal injury. To avoid having scalding hot coolant or steam blow out of the cooling system, never remove the pressure relief valve from a hot degas bottle. Wait until the engine has cooled, then wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it slowly one turn (counterclockwise). Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When certain all the pressure has been released, remove the pressure relief cap (still with a cloth).

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 and replaced.

CAUTION: Some vehicle cooling system are filled with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (green color). Others are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Coolant VC-7-A (in Oregon VC-7-B) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-AI (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.

NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6,darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan

NOTE: Less than 80% of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement

1. 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
2. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. If equipped disconnect the coolant return hose at the oil cooler
3. Open the radiator draincock
4. Close the radiator draincock when finished

Filling

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 clean, drinkable water.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
^ Add Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (green color), or Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in Oregon VC-7-B) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
- The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.

^ Do not add orange colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants can degrade the coolants 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.
^ Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A or WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolants can harm the engine and cooling system components.

1. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle.
2. Move the temperature blend selector to the full warm position.
3. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
4. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks.
5. Turn off the engine and allow the cooling system to cool.
6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 until the degas bottle level is OK.

Bleeding
1. Select maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position control to discharge air at A/C vents in the instrument panel.
2. Start the engine and allow to idle. While the engine is idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents.

3. CAUTION: If the air discharge remains cool and the engine coolant temperature gauge does not move, the engine coolant level is low in the engine and must be filled. Stop the engine, allow to cool and fill the cooling system as described.

Start the engine and allow to idle until normal operating temperature is reached. Hot air should discharge from the A/C vents. The engine coolant temperature gauge should maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of the NORMAL range and the upper radiator hose should feel hot to the touch.
4. Shut the engine off and allow it to cool.
5. Check the engine for coolant leaks.
6. Check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle and fill as necessary.