Cooling System Draining, Filling And Bleeding
Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Draining
1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Vehicle Jacking and Lifting.
2. 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: 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. Using contaminated coolant may result in damage to the engine or cooling system components.
NOTICE: The engine cooling system is filled with Motorcraft(R) Specialty Green Engine Coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft(R) Specialty Green Engine Coolant.
NOTICE: Genuine Mazda(R) Extended Life Coolant and Motorcraft(R) Specialty Green Engine Coolant are very sensitive to light. Do NOT allow these products to be exposed to ANY LIGHT for more than a day or two. Extended light exposure causes these products to degrade.
NOTICE: Stop-leak style pellets/products must not be used as an additive in this engine cooling system. The addition of stop-leak style pellets/products may clog or damage the cooling system, resulting in degraded cooling system performance and/or failure.
NOTE: Less than 80% of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.
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.
3. Remove the 5 bolts, 7 pin-type retainers and the front splash shield.
4. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. Open the radiator draincock and drain the coolant.
5. Close the radiator draincock.
6. Install the front splash shield, 7 pin-type retainers and the 5 bolts, when the cooling system or engine service is finished.
Filling and Bleeding with RADIATOR REFILLER
1. Install the RADIATOR REFILLER and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 ethylene glycol to distilled water.
- Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
- Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
Filling and Bleeding without RADIATOR REFILLER
NOTICE: 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.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
- NOTICE: Genuine Mazda(R) Extended Life Coolant and Motorcraft(R) Specialty Green Engine Coolant are very sensitive to light. Do NOT allow these products to be exposed to ANY LIGHT for more than a day or two. Extended light exposure causes these products to degrade.
Add Motorcraft(R) Specialty Green Engine Coolant to the cooling system.
- 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.
- Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles.
NOTICE: Stop-leak style pellets/products must not be used as an additive in this engine cooling system. The addition of stop-leak style pellets/products may clog or damage the cooling system, resulting in degraded cooling system performance and/or failure.
1. Open the degas bottle cap and fill the degas bottle to 25 mm (0.984 in) above the top of the COLD FILL RANGE.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 ethylene glycol to distilled water.
- Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
- Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
2. Close the degas bottle cap.
3. Turn the HVAC system to OFF.
4. Run the engine at 3,500 rpm for 30 seconds.
5. NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level drops below the top of the COLD FILL RANGE, shut off the engine and add fluid to 25 mm (0.984 in) above the top of the COLD FILL RANGE once the engine cools.
Turn the engine off for 1 minute to purge any large air pockets.
6. Start the engine and let idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature and the thermostat is fully open. A fully open thermostat can be verified by the radiator fan cycling on at least once.
7. Run the engine at 3,500 rpm for 30 seconds.
8. Run the engine at idle for 30 seconds.
9. NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level drops below the top of the COLD FILL RANGE, shut off the engine and add fluid to 25 mm (0.984 in) above the top of the COLD FILL RANGE once the engine cools.
Turn the engine off for 1 minute.
10. Repeat Steps 7 through 9 a total of 10 times to remove any remaining air trapped in the system.
11. 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.
Check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle and fill to 25 mm (0.984 in) above the top of the COLD FILL RANGE when warm or to the top of the COLD FILL RANGE line when cold.
12. Install the degas bottle cap to at least one audible "click."