Cooling System Draining and Vacuum Filling

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. 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 concentration 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.
     
   • A coolant concentration of 40% provides freeze protection down to -26°C (-15°F)
     
   • Engine coolant concentration below 40% will decrease the 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.
   

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