Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Special Tools And Equipment:

Special Tool(s)

Material:

Material

Draining

WARNING: Never remove the pressure relief cap under any condition 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 and/or personal injury. To avoid having scalding hot coolant or steam blow out of the cooling system, use extreme care when removing the pressure relief cap from a hot degas bottle. Wait until the engine has cooled, then wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it slowly one turn (counterclockwise). Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When certain 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 correctly.

CAUTION: All vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Always refill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.

NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC-6 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6 darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.

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.
^ Open the draincock and allow to drain.
^ Close the draincock after draining.

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 engine coolant and distilled water.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
^ Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.
^ Do not add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D or green colored Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A or equivalent. 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 unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A 1.
Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components.

NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC-6 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M99B37-B6 darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.

1. During the initial fill, fill the degas bottle to the top of the cold fill range.
2. Move the temperature blend selector to the full warm position and the fan motor control to HIGH for the front and rear unit, if equipped.
3. Start the vehicle with the coolant pressure relief cap off and allow to idle until the thermostat is open.
4. Top off the coolant in the degas bottle to the top of the cold fill range. Install and tighten the coolant pressure relief cap.
5. Increase the engine rpms to 3,000 for 15 seconds, and then return to idle for one minute.
6. Repeat the previous step four times or until heat is coming from the rear unit while the vehicle is idling.
7. Allow the vehicle to cool and top off the coolant in the degas bottle to the cold fill range.