Cooling System Draining and Vacuum Filling

1. WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure in this section, refer to Safety Warnings in section 100-00 General Information. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

   Refer to: Engine Cooling System Health and Safety Precautions (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
   

1. 

   WARNING: When releasing the cooling system pressure, cover the coolant expansion tank cap with a thick cloth.

1. Refer to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview (100-02 Jacking and Lifting, Description and Operation).
   

1. 

   WARNING: Be prepared to collect escaping fluid.

   Use a hose to drain the coolant.
   General Equipment : Fluid Container

1. Install the vacuum cooling system filler and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the system.
   General Equipment : Cooling System Vacuum Tester and Refiller

1. • Measure the coolant concentration in the vehicle.
     Special Tool(s) : ROB75240 Coolant/Battery Refractometer (Fahrenheit)
   • Determine the concentration desired based on the vehicle duty cycle of extreme hot or cold operating conditions.
     
   • Add, top-off or adjust the coolant as follows:
     
   • For concentrations measured 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C to -37°C [-30°F to -34°F]) use Motorcraft Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted to maintain a coolant concentration in this same range.
     Material : Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted / VC-3DIL-B (WSS-M97B44-D2)
   • For all other concentrations, use Motorcraft Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated and/or distilled water to get to the desired concentration.
     Material : Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated / VC-3-B (WSS-M97B44-D)
   • When refilling the engine coolant after a flush procedure, use a mixture of Motorcraft Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated and distilled water to get to the desired concentration.
     

1. Recommended coolant concentration is 48/52 to 50/50 engine coolant to distilled water (freeze protection -34°C to -37°C [-30°F to -34°F]).
   

1. • For extremely cold climates (less than -37°C [-34°F]):
     
   • It may be necessary to increase the coolant concentration above 50%.
     
   • NEVER increase the coolant concentration above 60%.
     
   • Maximum coolant concentration is 60/40 for cold weather areas.
     
   • A coolant concentration of 60% provides freeze protection down to -50°C (-58°F)
     
   • Engine coolant concentrations above 60% will decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
     

1. • For extremely hot climates:
     
   • It is still necessary to maintain the coolant concentration above 40%.
     
   • NEVER decrease the coolant concentration below 40%.
     
   • Minimum coolant concentration is 40/60 for warm weather areas.
     
   • Engine coolant concentrations below 40% will decrease the corrosion/freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
     

1. Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C to -37°C [-30°F to -34°F]) mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
   

1. Fill the degas bottle to the MAX FILL line.
   

1. Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop.
   

1. Turn the climate control system off.
   

1. Start the engine and increase the engine speed to 3,500 rpm and hold for 30 seconds.
   

1. Turn the engine off for and wait for 1 minute to purge any large air pockets from the cooling system.
   

1. 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.

   Check the engine coolant level in degas bottle and if necessary fill to the top of the MAX FILL line on the degas bottle if the engine is warm or to the top of the MIN FILL LEVEL if the engine is cold.
   

1. Start the engine and let it idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature and the thermostat is fully open. A fully open thermostat is verified by the cooling fan cycling on at least once.
   

1. Increase the engine speed to 3,500 rpm and hold for 30 seconds.
   

1. Allow the engine to idle for 30 seconds..
   

1. Turn the engine off for 1 minute.
   

1. Repeat steps 17 through 19 a total of 5 times to remove any remaining air trapped in the system.
   

1. 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.

   Check the engine coolant level in degas bottle and if necessary fill to the top of the MAX FILL line on the degas bottle.
   

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