Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

1. 

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

   Release the cooling system pressure by slowly turning the coolant expansion tank cap between 2 and 3 turns.
   

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

1. 

   WARNING: Be prepared to collect escaping fluid.

   General Equipment : Hose Clamp Remover/Installer
   General Equipment : Fluid Container

1. General Equipment : Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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 (equates to a freeze point between -34°C and -37°C (-30°F and -34°F)), use the following coolant.
     Material : Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted / VC-3DIL-B (WSS-M97B44-D2)
   • For all other concentrations, use the following coolant and/or distilled water to get to the desired concentration.
     Material : Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated / VC-3-B (WSS-M97B44-D)

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% 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.
     
   • A coolant concentration of 40% provides freeze point protection down to -26°C (-15°F).
     
   • Engine coolant concentrations below 40% decrease the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
     

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

NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the degas bottle drops below the min fill line, allow the engine to cool. Once engine is cool, add coolant to the degas bottle to the max fill line. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine.

1. Start the engine, run and hold at 2,500 rpm for 15 minutes.
   

NOTICE: NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the degas bottle drops below the min fill line, allow the engine to cool. Once engine is cool, add coolant to the degas bottle to the max fill line. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine.

1. Increase the engine speed to 5,000 rpm and then decrease to idle. Repeat six times.
   

NOTICE: NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the degas bottle drops below the min fill line, allow the engine to cool. Once engine is cool, add coolant to the degas bottle to the max fill line. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine.

1. Increase the engine speed to 4,000 rpm for ten seconds, then return the engine speed to 2,500 rpm and hold for another ten minutes.
   

1. Decrease the engine speed to idle, shut the engine off and allow to cool.
   

1. Check the engine and cooling system for any leaks.
   

1. Check the coolant level in the degas bottle and fill as necessary.
   

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