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 released from the cooling system. When you are sure all the pressure has been released, turn and remove the pressure relief cap (stir with a cloth).
CAUTION: The coolant must be recovered in a suitable, dean container for reuse. If the coolant is contaminated it must be recycled or disposed of correctly.
CAUTION: Some vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC4-A (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (green color). Others are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in Oregon VC-7-B) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
NOTE: Less than 80~o of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.
1. Remove the front splash shield.
2. Make sure the engine is cool.
3. Wrap a thick cloth around the coolant pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir. Slowly turn the cap counterclockwise (left) until the pressure begins to release
4. Step back while the pressure releases.
5. When you are 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.
1 Open the draincock and allow to drain.
2 Close the radiator draincock when finished.
Filling-Bleeding
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 proper 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 (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (green color), or Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in Oregon VC-7-B) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same coolant that was droned from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
- Do not add/mix orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant such as VC-2 meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44D. 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 ESE-M97B44A or WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such coolant can harm the engine and cooling system components.
NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
1. Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks.
2. Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air at A/C vents in instrument panel.
3. Start the engine and allow to idle. While engine is idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents.
4. CAUTION: If air discharge remains cool and engine coolant temperature gauge does not move, engine coolant level is low in engine and most be filled. Stop engine, allow to cool and fill cooling system.
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 should feel hot to the touch.
5. Shut the engine off and allow to cool.
6. Check the engine for coolant leaks.
7. Check the engine coolant level in degas bottle and fill as necessary.