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: 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.
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 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 RADIATOR REFILLER
1. NOTICE: 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.
Install the RADIATOR REFILLER and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 ethylene glycol to distilled water.
- Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
- Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
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. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the cooling system.
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. NOTE: Failure to block the radiator off will require more time before the thermostat will open.
Position a piece of cardboard on the driver's side half of the radiator.
2. NOTE: The degas bottle cap must be loose so that the cooling system does not get pressurized.
Fill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 ethylene glycol to distilled water.
- Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
- Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
- Install the degas bottle cap until it starts to ratchet. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
3. Start and idle the engine until the coolant level stabilizes.
4. Refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line.
- Install the degas bottle cap until it starts to ratchet. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
5. Run the engine at 3,000 rpm for 2 minutes.
6. Bring the engine to an idle.
- Determine if the thermostat has opened by feeling the temperature of the radiator tubes on the passenger side of the radiator. If the tubes are cool then the thermostat has not opened. If the tubes are warm or hot then the thermostat has opened.
7. If the coolant level has dropped below the minimum fill line then refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line.
- Install the degas bottle cap until it starts to ratchet. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
8. Repeat Steps 5 through 7 until the thermostat opens.
- The coolant level will rise before the thermostat opens due to thermal expansion. The coolant level will drop after the thermostat opens due to air exiting the radiator.
9. Repeat Steps 5 and 7 until the coolant level stabilizes.
10. Stop the engine and remove the cardboard from the radiator.
11. Restart and idle the engine for 5 minutes to stabilize the coolant temperature.
12. Fill the degas bottle to 20 mm (0.787 in) above the maximum fill line.
- Install the degas bottle cap.
13. Verify that the cardboard has been removed from the radiator.