Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Cooling System Draining, Filling And Bleeding

WARNING: Never remove the pressure relief cap while the engine is operating or when the cooling system is hot. Failure to follow these instructions can result in damage to the cooling system or engine or personal injury. To avoid having scalding hot coolant or steam blow out of the radiator when removing the pressure relief cap, wait until the engine has cooled, then wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it slowly. Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When you are sure all the pressure has been released, (still with a cloth) turn and remove the pressure relief cap. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

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.

CAUTION: Some vehicle cooling systems 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-A1 (yellow color). Always refill the cooling system with the same coolant that was drained from 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 the coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.

Draining
1. Make sure the engine is cool.
2. Wrap a thick cloth around the coolant pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir. 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.
5. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. Drain the coolant.
^ Tighten the radiator draincock when finished.

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 proper concentration and fluid level. When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and clean, drinkable water

NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling system Stop Leak Pellets VC-6 darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow or golden tan.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and he cooling system:
^ Add Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (CXC-10 in Canada, VC-5 in Oregon) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (green color), or Motorcraft Premium Gold Coolant VC-7-A (in Oregon VC-7-B) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-AI (yellow color). Always refill the cooling system with the same coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.
^ Do not add orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent, meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44). Mixing coolant 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.
^ Do not mix recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of specification ESE-M97B44-A or WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these specifications; use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components.

Filling-Bleeding
6. Fill the radiator through the radiator cap opening. Close the cap when full.
7. Fill the radiator coolant recovery reservoir to the cold fill line.
8. Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air from the A/C vents to the instrument panel.

9. 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 it to cool and fill the cooling system.

Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.

10. WARNING: To avoid personal injury, do not unscrew the coolant pressure relief cap while the engine is operating or hot. The cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.

Turn off the engine and allow the cooling system to cool. When the pressure has been released, remove the radiator cap. Add more coolant mixture to the radiator until full.
11. Add more coolant mixture to the radiator coolant recovery reservoir until the level reaches the cold fill line.
12. Start the engine and allow it to idle. While the engine is idling, feel for hot air from the A/C vents.
^ 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
13. Check the engine coolant level in the radiator coolant recovery reservoir and fill it as necessary.
14. Repeat above steps as necessary.