Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

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 may 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.

NOTE: Less than 80% of the coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.

1. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. Drain the coolant.
2. Close the radiator draincock when finished.

Filling

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 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and clean drinkable water.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system: Add Motorcraft Premium Engine coolant VC-4-A (CXC-10 in Canada, VC-5 in Oregon) or an equivalent meeting specification ESE-M97B44-A.
^ Do not add orange-colored extended life coolant such as VC-2, meeting WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion Protection.
^ Do not add alcohol or methanol or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
^ Do not mix recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of specification ESE-M97B44-A. Not all coolant recycling processes meet this specification; use of such a coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.

On All Engines
1. Refill the radiator coolant recovery reservoir with the correct 50/50 ethylene glycol and water mixture. Use premium engine coolant.

2. WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine.

Install the radiator.
3. Move the temperature blend selector to the full warm position.
On 2.5L Engines
4. Remove the heater hose from the heater core.
5. Start the engine and bleed air from the system. When coolant is seen flowing from the heater hose or the heater core, reinstall the heater hose and clamp.
6. Top off coolant in the radiator and reinstall the cap.
On All Engines

7. 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.
8. Add the correct coolant mixture to the radiator coolant recovery reservoir until the coolant level is between the "coolant FILL LEVEL" marks.
Recheck the coolant level and fill as needed.
9. 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 radiator coolant recovery reservoir.

10. WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine.

Repeat Steps 1 through 6 until the reservoir level is OK.