Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Cooling System Draining, Filling and BleedingDraining
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 release 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.
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 properly and replaced.
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 turn counterclockwise. When the pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.
2. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. If equipped, disconnect the coolant return hose at the oil cooler.
3. Open the radiator draincock.
4. 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 in the degas bottle.
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 (VC-5 in Oregon or CXC-10 in Canada) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M971344-A.
^ Do not add orange colored extended life coolant such as VC-2 meeting Ford specification WSS-M997B44-D. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolants 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 with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification ESE-M971344-A. Not all coolant recycling processes meet this Ford specification. Use of such a coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.
1. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle.
2. Move the temperature b1cnd selector to the full warm position.
3. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
4. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until I the coolant level is between the "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks.
5. Turn off the engine and allow the cooling, system to cool.
6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 until the degas bottle level is OK.
Bleeding
1. Select maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position control to discharge air at A/C vents in the instrument panel.
2. Start engine and allow to idle. While engine is idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents.
3. 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 to cool and rill the cooling system as described.
Start the engine and allow to idle until 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.
4. Shut the engine off and allow it to cool.
5. Check the engine for coolant leaks.
6. Check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle and fill as necessary.