Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment










1. WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

Refer to: Engine Cooling System Health and Safety Precautions. Engine Cooling System Health and Safety Precautions

2. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
Refer to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview. Service and Repair

3. Remove the 6 pushpins, the 7 screws and the radiator air deflector.







4. Release the pressure in the cooling system by slowly turning the pressure relief cap 1/2 turn counterclockwise. When the pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.
5. Open the radiator draincock and drain the cooling system.
6. Close the radiator draincock when finished.
1. Install the lower radiator air deflector, the 6 pushpins and the 7 screws.







2.
- Measure the coolant concentration in the vehicle.
Special Tool(s): ROB75240 (Coolant/Battery Refractometer (Fahrenheit))
- Determine the concentration desired based on the vehicle duty cycle of extreme hot or cold operating conditions.
- Add, top-off or adjust the coolant as follows:
- For concentrations measured 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C to -37°C [-30°F to -34°F]) use Motorcraft(R) Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted to maintain a coolant concentration in this same range. Material: Motorcraft(R) Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted / VC-3DIL-B (WSS-M97B44-D2)
- For all other concentrations, use Motorcraft(R) Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated and/or distilled water to get to the desired concentration. Material: Motorcraft(R) Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated / VC-3-B (WSS-M97B44-D)
- When refilling the engine coolant after a flush procedure, use a mixture of Motorcraft(R) Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated and distilled water to get to the desired concentration.

3. Recommended coolant concentration is 48/52 to 50/50 engine coolant to distilled water (freeze protection -34°C to -37°C [-30°F to -34°F]).
4.
- 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 protection down to -50°C (-58°F)
- Engine coolant concentration above 60% will decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.

5.
- 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.
- Engine coolant concentration below 40% will decrease the freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.

6. Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C to -37°C [-30°F to -34°F]) mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
7. Fill the cooling system through the degas bottle until the coolant level in the degas bottle is at the MIN line.
8. Install the pressure relief cap until at least 1 audible click is heard.

9. NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the degas bottle drops below the MIN line, allow the engine to cool. Once the engine is cool, add coolant to the degas bottle until the coolant in the degas bottle is at the MIN line.

Start the engine and hold at 2,500 rpm for approximately 8 minutes until the thermostat opens, then for another 3 minutes after the thermostat opens.

10. Increase the engine speed to 4,000 rpm and hold for approximately 5 seconds.

11. NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the degas bottle drops below the MIN line, allow the engine to cool. Once the engine is cool, add coolant to the degas bottle until the coolant in the degas bottle is at the MIN line.

Return the engine speed to 2,500 rpm and hold for another 3 minutes.

12. Allow the engine to return to idle, shut the engine off and allow to cool.
13. Check the engine for any leaks.
14. Check the coolant level in the degas bottle and fill as necessary.