Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Draining
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.
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 and replaced. Using contaminated coolant may damage cooling system components or the engine.
CAUTION: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent (yellow color) meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
NOTE: Less than 80% of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires the system flush and replacement.
1. 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.
2. WARNING: Before servicing a vehicle equipped with a fire suppression system, depower the system by following the procedure in Fire Suppression System. Failure to follow the instructions may result in serious personal injury.
Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock and drain the radiator.
3. Close the radiator drain cock.
4. WARNING: If the vehicle is equipped with a fire suppression system, repower the system. For important safety warnings and procedures, refer to Fire Suppression System. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
If equipped with fire suppression system, repower the system.
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 and Bleeding 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 in the degas bottle.
When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of clean, drinkable water and engine coolant.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
^ Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent (yellow color) meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolant types may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
^ Do not add orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's 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.
^ Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such a coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.
1. WARNING: Before servicing a vehicle equipped with a fire suppression system, depower the system by following the procedure in Fire Suppression System. Failure to follow the instructions may result in serious personal injury.
Remove the thermostat.
2. Disconnect the heater core coolant supply hose from the fitting at the rear of the manifold.
3. Add the coolant/water mixture through the thermostat opening until coolant appears at the heater core coolant supply outlet fitting at the rear of the manifold.
4. Install the heater hose, using an appropriately sized worm style clamp in place of the constant tension clamp.
5. Reinstall the thermostat gasket (O-ring) and the thermostat.
6. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the COOLANT FILL LEVEL marks and replace the pressure cap.
7. Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air at the A/C vents in the instrument panel.
8. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
9. WARNING: If the vehicle is equipped with a fire suppression system, repower the system. For important safety warnings and procedures, refer to Fire Suppression System. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury.
If equipped with fire suppression system, repower the system.
10. CAUTION: If 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. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the engine.
Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the COOLANT FILL LEVEL marks.
11. Repeat the 2 previous steps until the engine coolant mixture is between the COOLANT FILL LEVEL marks on the degas bottle. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
12. Check the freeze protection of the engine coolant mixture with the Battery/Antifreeze Tester 014-R1060 or equivalent. Adjust freezing point range if necessary.