Coolant: Service and Repair

WARNING:
NEVER REMOVE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHILE ENGINE IS OPERATING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM OR ENGINE. TO AVOID BURNS FROM SCALDING COOLANT OR STEAM, USE EXTREME CARE WHEN REMOVING THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP.

NOTE:
A 50/50 mixture of Ford Premium Cooling System Fluid E2FZ-19549-AA or-B (in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-8-B) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A and water is required to prevent damage to the cooling system.

DRAINING COOLING SYSTEM
1. Bring engine to normal operating temperature and turn engine OFF.
2. Drain cooling system as follows:
a. If cooling system is still hot, carefully wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and rotate slowly until pressure begins to release. Step back until the pressure is released.
b. Then rotate pressure relief cap until free. Remove the pressure relief cap.
c. Raise and support vehicle.
d. Remove splash shield from front of front sub-frame (5C145) and body.
e. Open radiator draincock (8115) and drain the coolant system.

NOTE:
Some coolant/water will be retained in the cylinder block (6010) if cylinder block drain plugs are not removed. When refilling cooling system after flushing, adjust coolant mix ratio to obtain a 50/50 mixture. Be certain to account for approximately 1 liter (1.06 quarts) of water left in the cylinder block when drain plugs are not removed.

FILL COOLING SYSTEM
Fill cooling system as follows:
1. Install all cooling system hoses that were removed.
2. Check all hose clamps for proper tightness.
3. Make sure radiator draincock is closed.
4. Install splash shield onto front of front sub-frame and body. Tighten retaining screws securely.
5. Lower vehicle.

CAUTION: Use extreme care to keep coolant mixture off of the drive belt (8620) and pulleys. If needed, remove drive belt and rinse with clear water. Clean pulleys and install drive belt. Belt squeal and early drive belt fatigue will occur otherwise.

6. Add coolant mixture into fill neck on radiator coolant recovery reservoir (8A080) until coolant reaches MAX mark on radiator coolant recovery reservoir.
7. Reinstall pressure relief cap to radiator coolant recovery reservoir.

BLEED COOLING SYSTEM
Bleed cooling system as follows:
1. Select maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position control to discharge air at A/C vents in instrument panel (04320).
2. Start engine and allow to idle. While engine is idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents.

CAUTION: If air discharge remains cool and engine coolant temperature gauge does not move, engine coolant level is low in engine and must be filled. Stop engine, allow to cool and fill coolant.

3. Start engine and allow to idle until normal operating temperature is reached. Hot air should discharge from 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 (8260) should feel hot to the touch.
4. Shut engine off and allow to cool.
5. Check engine for coolant leaks.

NOTE: When engine coolant level indicator flashes, approximately 0.946-1.416 liter (1-1.5 qts.) of coolant mixture can be added to the radiator coolant recovery reservoir after a proper engine coolant system refill.

6. Check engine coolant level in radiator coolant recovery reservoir and fill as necessary.