Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding - 4.0L
Draining
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. Contaminated coolant may damage cooling system components.
NOTICE: Fill with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the same type coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types. Incorrect coolant may damage cooling system components.
NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
NOTE: Less than 80% of the 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 radiator cap one-half to one turn counterclockwise to the first stop on the filler neck. When the pressure has been released, remove the radiator cap.
2. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Vehicle Jacking and Lifting.
3. Remove the 2 bolts and the air deflector.
4. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. Drain the coolant.
5. Close the radiator draincock when finished.
- Tighten to 2 Nm (18 lb-in).
Filling and Bleeding with RADIATOR REFILLER
NOTICE: All air must be removed from the cooling system. Failure to remove all the air from the cooling system may result in engine damage.
NOTICE: Turn the radiator cap clockwise until it stops (approximately 135 degrees). Failure to tighten the radiator cap may result in engine damage.
NOTE: 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. When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and engine coolant. To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
- Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.
- Do not add orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. 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. Use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components.
1. Connect the RADIATOR REFILLER body and the appropriate rubber adapter to the radiator.
2. Clamp the radiator-to-coolant expansion tank hose near the radiator.
3. Follow the RADIATOR REFILLER 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 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: Incorrect coolant or coolant mixtures may damage cooling system components.
- Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Use the same type coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
- Do not add Motorcraft Specialty Engine Coolant. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
- Do not add alcohol, methanol, brine or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
- Do not mix recycled coolant. Use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components.
NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
1. Install the air deflector and the 2 bolts.
- Tighten to 15 Nm (133 lb-in).
2. Fill the overflow bottle with the correct engine coolant mixture.
- 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.
3. Install the radiator cap.
4. Move the temperature blend selector to the full warm position.
5. WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine. A damaged fan can separate during operation. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
6. Add the correct coolant mixture to the overflow bottle until the coolant level is between the COOLANT FILL LEVEL marks.
7. Turn off the engine and allow the cooling system to cool. Recheck the coolant level and fill the cooling system to the FULL mark on the overflow bottle.
8. WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine. A damaged fan can separate during operation. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
Repeat Steps 3 through 8 until the reservoir level is OK.
Bleeding without RADIATOR REFILLER
1. Bleed the cooling system as follows:
- Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air from the A/C vents in the instrument panel.
- WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine. A damaged fan can separate during operation. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
Start the engine and allow it to idle. While the engine is idling, feel for hot air from the A/C vents.
- NOTICE: 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 it to cool and fill the cooling system. Operating the engine with low coolant level may cause engine or cooling system component damage.
Start the engine and allow it to idle until the 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.
- Shut the engine off and allow it to cool.
- Check the engine for coolant leaks.
- Check the engine coolant level in the overflow bottle and fill it as necessary.