Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Draining
1. 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: 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. Using contaminated coolant may result in damage to the engine or cooling system components.
NOTICE: The engine cooling system is filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.
NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
Release the cooling system pressure by slowly turning the pressure relief cap a quarter of a turn.
2. Remove the pressure relief cap when all the pressure has been released.
3. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
4. Remove the lower radiator air deflector.
5. Place a suitable container below the radiator drain valve.
- Open the radiator drain valve and allow the coolant to drain.
- Close the radiator drain valve.
6. Install the lower radiator air deflector.
Filling and Bleeding with RADIATOR REFILLER
1. Install the RADIATOR REFILLER and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
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 coolant expansion tank.
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:
- Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
- Do not add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D or green colored Premium 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 Premium Gold Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
- Used engine coolant should be disposed of in an appropriate manner. Follow the community's regulations and standards for recycling and disposing of automotive fluids.
NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
1. Fill the radiator to the top of the fill neck and the coolant expansion tank to the max level mark.
2. Install the pressure relief cap.
3. NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the coolant expansion tank drops below the cold fill line, allow the engine to cool. Once engine is cool, add coolant to the coolant expansion tank to the cold fill line. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine damage.
Start the engine, run and hold at 2,500 rpm for approximately 8 minutes until the thermostat opens, then for another 3 minutes after the thermostat opens.
4. Increase the engine speed briefly to 4,000 rpm and hold for approximately 5 seconds.
5. NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the coolant expansion tank drops below the cold fill line, allow the engine to cool. Once engine is cool, add coolant to the coolant expansion tank to the cold fill line. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine damage.
Return the engine speed to 2,500 rpm and hold for another 3 minutes.
6. Shut the engine OFF and allow to cool.
7. Check the engine for any leaks.
8. Check the coolant level in the coolant expansion tank and fill as necessary.