Cooling System: Service and Repair
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.
NOTICE:
- Always fill the cooling system with the manufacturer's specified coolant. If a non-specified coolant has been used the cooling system must be chemically flushed. Refer to Cooling System Flushing. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.
- 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 the cooling system chemically flushed and filled with new coolant. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.
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. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.
2. Make sure the engine is cool.
3. Wrap a thick cloth around the radiator cap. Slowly turn the cap counterclockwise until the pressure begins to release.
4. Step back while the pressure releases.
5. When sure all the pressure has been released, use the cloth to turn and remove the cap.
6. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. Drain the coolant.
- Tighten the radiator draincock when finished.
Filling and Bleeding with a Vacuum Cooling System Filler
NOTICE:
- Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the manufacturer's specified coolant. If a non-specified coolant has been used the cooling system must be chemically flushed. Refer to Cooling System Flushing. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.
- 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. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
- Do not mix coolant types. 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.
- Do not mix with recycled coolant. Use of such coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.
1. Connect the Airlift Cooling System Tester body and the appropriate rubber adapter to the radiator.
2. Clamp the radiator-to-coolant expansion tank hose near the radiator.
3. Follow the Airlift Cooling System Tester manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 engine coolant to distilled water.
- 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 point protection down to -50° C (-58° F).
- Engine coolant concentration above 60% decreases the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- 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.
- A coolant concentration of 40% provides freeze point protection down to -26° C (-15° F).
- Engine coolant concentration below 40% decreases the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
Filling and Bleeding without a Vacuum Cooling System Filler
NOTICE:
- Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft(R) Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the manufacturer's specified coolant. If a non-specified coolant has been used the cooling system must be chemically flushed. Refer to Cooling System Flushing. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.
- 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. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
- Do not mix coolant types. 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.
- Do not mix with recycled coolant. Use of such coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.
1. Fill the radiator through the radiator fill neck until the coolant level is at the bottom of the filler neck.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 engine coolant to distilled water.
- 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 point protection down to -50° C (-58° F).
- Engine coolant concentration above 60% decreases the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- 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.
- A coolant concentration of 40% provides freeze point protection down to -26° C (-15° F).
- Engine coolant concentration below 40% decreases the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
- Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
2. Install the radiator cap.
3. Fill the coolant expansion tank until the coolant reaches the COLD FILL mark.
4. On the Electronic Manual Temperature Control (EMTC), move the temperature blend selector to the full WARM position. On the Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC), set the temperature to 32° C (90° F).
5. NOTICE: 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. Failure to follow this instructions may result in damage to the engine.
Run the engine at idle until it reaches normal operating temperature.
6. Add more correct coolant mixture to the coolant expansion tank until the coolant level is at the COLD FILL mark.
7. Turn the engine off and allow it to cool.
8. Start the engine and allow it to idle until it reaches normal operating temperature. While the engine is idling, feel for hot air from the A/C vents.
- 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.
9. Check the engine coolant level in the coolant expansion tank and fill it as necessary.
10. Repeat the previous 5 steps as necessary.