Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Special Tool(s):

Material:

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.

CAUTION: Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the cooling system.

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 the system filled with new coolant. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the cooling system.

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

1. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. If equipped, disconnect the coolant return hose at the fluid cooler.
2. Remove the pressure relief cap from the degas bottle.
3. Open the radiator draincock and drain the coolant into a suitable container.
4. Close the radiator draincock when finished.

Filling and Bleeding with RADKITPLUS

1. CAUTION: With the engine cold, fill vehicles to within the cold fill range shown on the degas bottle. This fill level will allow for coolant expansion. Overfilling the degas bottle may result in damage to the pressure cap, which can cause the engine to overheat.

Using the special tool, install the RADKITPLUS and follow the RADKITPLUS 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. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the cooling system.

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 Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent. Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.
^ do not add orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent (US). Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
^ do not add alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.

1. CAUTION: With the engine cold, fill vehicles to within the cold fill range shown on the degas bottle. This fill level will allow for coolant expansion. Overfilling the degas bottle may result in damage to the pressure cap, which can cause the engine to overheat.

Fill the engine cooling system via the degas bottle until coolant level is between the coolant fill level marks.
2. Run the engine at 2,000 rpm for 5 minutes, until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine and allow the cooling system to cool.
4. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the COOLANT FILL LEVEL marks.

5. NOTE: 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 it to idle until normal operating temperature is reached. Hot air should discharge from the A/C vents with the climate control setting to full heat. 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.
6. Repeat Steps 3 through 5 until the degas bottle is at the correct level.