Coolant

Filling & Bleeding

Draining

WARNING
Never remove the radiator cap when the engine is running or while the cooling system is still hot. Doing so can cause serious personal injury, damage to the cooling system, or engine damage. Wait until the engine has cooled, then wrap a thick piece of cloth around the radiator cap and turn it slowly. This will help to avoid having scalding hot coolant or steam blow out of the overflow bottle when removing the radiator cap. Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When you are certain all the pressure has been released, use the cloth to turn and remove the radiator cap. Follow instructions carefully to avoid personal injury.

CAUTION
The coolant must be saved in a suitable, clean container to be reused. If the coolant is contaminated it must be recycled or disposed of properly.

CAUTION
The engine cooling system should be filled with engine coolant that meets Ford’s specifications. Always refill the cooling system with the same coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.

NOTE: Less than 80% of the coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine still in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty, or contaminated coolant should be replaced.

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. Raise and support the vehicle.
3. Remove the lower radiator cover.
4. Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. Drain the coolant.
5. Close the radiator draincock when finished.

Filling

CAUTION
Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. To get 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 engine coolant and distilled water.

NOTE: Use engine coolant that meets Ford’s specifications. Use the same type of coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types because mixing them can degrade their corrosion protection. Also, do not mix recycled coolant because it may cause harm to the engine and cooling system.

NOTE: 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.

1. Install the lower radiator cover.
2. Lower the vehicle.
3. Fill the overflow bottle with the correct engine coolant mixture.
4. Install the radiator cap.
5. Move the temperature blend selector to the full warm position.

   WARNING
   Do not stand near or in line with the engine cooling fan blade while revving the engine.

6. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
7. Add the correct coolant mixture to the overflow bottle until the coolant level is between the "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks.
8. 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.
9. Repeat steps 3 through 8 until the reservoir level is okay.

Bleeding

1. 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 near or in line with the engine cooling fan blade while revving the engine.

2. Start the engine and allow it to idle. While the engine is idling, feel for hot air from the A/C vents.

   CAUTION
   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.

3. 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.
4. Shut off the engine and allow it to cool.
5. Check the engine for coolant leaks.
6. Check the engine coolant level in the overflow bottle and fill as necessary.