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. Failure to follow these instructions can 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: All vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-Al (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that is present in 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 coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.
1. Release the pressure in the cooling system by slowly turning the pressure relief cap one half to one turn counterclockwise to the first stop on the filler neck. When the pressure has been released, remove the pressure relief cap.
2. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Remove the front splash shield.
4. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. Drain the coolant.
5. Close the radiator draincock when finished.
Filling and Bleeding with RADKITPLUS
1. Using the special tool, install the RADKITPLUS and follow the RADKITPLUS manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
Filling without RADKITPLUS
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. When adding engine coolant, use a 50150 mixture of engine coolant and clean, distilled water.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
^ Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in Oregon VC-7-13) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B5l-A1 (yellow color). Use the same coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
^ Do not add Motorcraft Specialty Engine Coolant such as VC-2 or an equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants can 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 with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A or WSS-M97B51-Al. Not all coolant recycling processes meet this Ford specification. Use of such coolant can harm the engine and cooling system components.
NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
1. Install the front splash shield.
2. Lower the vehicle.
3. Fill the degas bottle with the correct engine coolant mixture.
4. Install the pressure relief cap.
5. Move the temperature blend selector to the full warm position.
6. WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine.
Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
7. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the COOLANT FILL LEVEL marks.
8. Turn off the engine and allow the cooling system to cool. Recheck the coolant level and fill the cooling system to the FULL mark on the degas bottle.
9. WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine.
Repeat Steps 3 through 8 until the reservoir level is OK.
Bleeding without RADKITPLUS
1. Bleed the cooling system as follows:
^ Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air from the A/C vents in the instrument panel.
^ WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine.
Start the engine and allow it to idle. While the engine is idling, feel for hot air from the A/C vents.
^ 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.
Start the engine and allow it to idle until the normal operating temperature is reached. 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.
^ Shut the engine off and allow it to cool.
^ Check the engine for coolant leaks.
^ Check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle and fill it as necessary.