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 manufacturer's specified coolant. If a non-specified coolant has been used the cooling system must be chemically flushed. Refer to Cooling System Flushing Cooling System Flushing. Failure to follow these instructions may result in cooling system or engine damage.
NOTICE: The coolant must be recovered in a suitable, clean container for reuse. If the coolant is contaminated it must be disposed of correctly. Failure to follow these instructions may result in cooling system or engine damage.
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 in the following sequence.
1. Make sure the engine is cool.
2. Wrap a thick cloth around the coolant pressure relief cap on the degas bottle. Slowly turn the cap counterclockwise (left) until the pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure all the pressure has been released, use the cloth to turn and remove the cap.
3. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock.
4. Open the radiator draincock and drain the coolant into a suitable container.
5. Close the radiator draincock when finished.
Filling and Bleeding with a Vacuum Cooling System Filler
NOTICE: Engine coolant provides boil protection, corrosion protection, freeze protection, and cooling efficiency to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, maintain the engine coolant at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
- Add Motorcraft(R) Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same type of coolant that was originally used to fill the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
- Do not add or mix with any other type of 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(R) Premium Gold Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
1. Install the vacuum cooling system filler and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 engine coolant to distilled water.
- For extremely cold climates (less than -37°C [-34°F]):
- It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%.
- NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
- Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
- A coolant concentration of 60% provides freeze point protection down to -50°C (-58°F).
- Engine coolant concentration above 60% decreases the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- For extremely hot climates:
- It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration above 40%.
- NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
- Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
- A coolant concentration of 40% provides freeze point protection down to -26°C (-15°F).
- Engine coolant concentration below 40% decreases the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
Filling and Bleeding without a Vacuum Cooling System Filler
NOTICE: Engine coolant provides boil protection, corrosion protection, freeze protection, and cooling efficiency to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, maintain the engine coolant at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
- Add Motorcraft(R) Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same type of coolant that was originally used to fill the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
- Do not add or mix with any other type of 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(R) Premium Gold Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
1. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 engine coolant to distilled water.
- For extremely cold climates (less than -37°C [-34°F]):
- It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%.
- NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
- Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
- A coolant concentration of 60% provides freeze point protection down to -50°C (-58°F).
- Engine coolant concentration above 60% decreases the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- For extremely hot climates:
- It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration above 40%.
- NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
- Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
- A coolant concentration of 40% provides freeze point protection down to -26°C (-15°F).
- Engine coolant concentration below 40% decreases the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
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.
7. Select the maximum heater temperature and medium low blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air at the panel vents in the instrument panel.
8. NOTICE: If air discharge remains cool and engine coolant temperature gauge does not move, engine coolant level is low in engine and must be filled. Stop engine, allow to cool and fill cooling system. Failure to follow these instructions may result in cooling system or engine damage.
Start engine and allow to idle until normal operating temperature is reached. Hot air should discharge from the panel 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.
9. Shut the engine off and allow to cool.
10. Check the engine for coolant leaks.
11. Check the engine coolant level in degas bottle and fill as necessary.