Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Special Tool(s)
Material
Draining
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 degas bottle 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.
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: Care must be taken to make sure the accessory drive belt does not become contaminated with engine coolant.
CAUTION: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC 7 A (in California and Oregon VC 7 B, in Canada, VC 7 C) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS M97B51 A1 (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
1. 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. When the pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.
2. NOTE: Less than 80% of coolant can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.
Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. If equipped, disconnect the coolant return hose at the oil cooler.
^ Close the radiator draincock when finished.
Filling and Bleeding With RADKITPLUS
1. Using the special tool, install the RADKITPLUS and follow the RADKITPLUS manufacturers instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
Filling and Bleeding Without RADKITPLUS
WARNING: Do not open the cooling system while it is hot or the engine is running. Failure to follow these instructions can result in personal injury.
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 Gold Engine Coolant VC 7 A (in California and Oregon VC 7 B, in Canada, VC 7C) 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.
^ Do not add Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC 2 meeting Ford specification WSS M97B44 D (orange color). Mixing coolants can degrade the coolants 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.
^ Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant since a Ford approved recycling process is not yet available.
3.9L engines
1. CAUTION: The engine appearance cover is equipped with a noise suppressor. If the noise suppressor becomes separated from the engine appearance cover it must be positioned on the intake manifold prior to installing the engine appearance cover.
Remove the engine appearance cover and the noise suppressor (if detached).
2. Remove the engine fill cap.
3.0L engines
3. Open the engine air bleed.
All engines
4. Open the heater air bleed.
5. Add coolant to the degas bottle allowing the system to equalize until no more coolant can be added.
3.0L engines
6. Close the engine air bleed when coolant begins to escape.
All engines
7. Install the degas bottle cap.
3.9L engines
CAUTION: Care must be taken to make sure the accessory drive belt does not become contaminated with engine coolant.
8. Add as much coolant as possible to the engine fill. The heater air bleed will remain open.
9. Install the engine fill cap.
^ Install the engine fill cap until contact is made, then tighten an additional 45 degrees (1/8 turn).
All engines
10. NOTE: The heater air bleed remains open.
Start the engine and turn the heater to the MAX position.
11. Close the heater air bleed when a steady stream of coolant escapes during engine idle.
12. Allow the engine to idle for 5 minutes. Add coolant to the degas bottle as needed to maintain the coolant level at the cold fill MAX mark.
13. Open the heater air bleed to release any trapped air and close again.
3.9L engines
14. Maintain engine speed of 2,000 rpm for 3 5 minutes or until hot air comes from the heater.
15. Return to idle and verify hot air is still coming from the heater.
3.0L engines
16. Maintain engine speed of 1,500 rpm for 3 5 minutes or until hot air comes from the heater.
17. Return to idle and verify hot air is still coming from the heater.
All engines
18. Set the heater temperature setting to 24°C (75°F) and allow the vehicle to idle for 2 minutes.
19. Shut the engine off and allow to cool.
20. After the engine has cooled, add coolant to the degas bottle to bring the level to the cold fill MAX mark.
3.9L engines
21. CAUTION: The engine appearance cover is equipped with a noise suppressor. If the noise suppressor becomes separated from the engine appearance cover it must be positioned on the intake manifold prior to installing the engine appearance cover.
Install the noise suppressor (if detached) and the engine appearance cover.