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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.0 3, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 1264 (Engine Cooling) >> General Procedures >> Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding >> Filling and Bleeding Without RADKITPLUS

Filling and Bleeding Without RADKITPLUS

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Lincoln LS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING: Do not open the cooling system while it is hot or the engine is running. Failure to follow these instructions can result in personal injury.
CAUTION: 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 in the degas bottle.

When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and clean, drinkable water.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

  • Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in California and Oregon VC-7-B, in Canada, VC-7-C) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
  • Do not add Motorcraft Speciality Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D (orange color). Mixing coolants can 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.
  • Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.

    3.9L engines 

    CAUTION: The engine appearance cover is equipped with a noise suppressor. If the noise suppressor becomes separated from the engine appearance cover it must be positioned on the intake manifold prior to installing the engine appearance cover.
    Fig 1: Identifying Engine Appearance Cover/Noise Suppressor
    G03996267Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  1. Remove the engine appearance cover and the noise suppressor (if detached).
  2. Remove the engine fill cap.
    Fig 2: Removing Engine Fill Cap
    G03996999Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  3. Open the engine air bleed.
    Fig 3: Opening Engine Air Bleed 3.0L Engines
    G03997000Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    4. All engines 

  4. Open the heater air bleed.
    Fig 4: Locating Heater Air Bleed
    G03997001Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Add coolant to the degas bottle allowing the system to equalize until no more coolant can be added.

    3.0L engines

  6. Close the engine air bleed when coolant begins to escape.
    Fig 5: Closing Engine Air Bleed
    G03997000Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    7. All engines 

  7. Install the degas bottle cap.

    8. 3.9L engines 

    CAUTION: Care must be taken to make sure the accessory drive belt does not become contaminated with engine coolant.
  8. Add as much coolant as possible to the engine fill. The heater air bleed will remain open.
  9. Install the engine fill cap.
    • Install the engine fill cap until contact is made, then tighten an additional 45 degrees (1/8 turn).
    Fig 6: Installing Engine Fill Cap
    G03996999Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    10. All engines 

    NOTE: The heater air bleed remains open.
  10. Start the engine and turn the heater to the MAX position.
  11. Close the heater air bleed when a steady stream of coolant escapes during engine idle.
    Fig 7: Locating Heater Air Bleed
    G03997001Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  12. Allow the engine to idle for 5 minutes. Add coolant to the degas bottle as needed to maintain the coolant level at the cold fill MAX mark.
  13. Open the heater air bleed to release any trapped air and close again.
    Fig 8: Locating Heater Air Bleed
    G03997001Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    14. 3.9L engines 

  14. Maintain engine speed of 2,000 rpm for 3-5 minutes or until hot air comes from the heater.
  15. Return to idle and verify hot air is still coming from the heater.

    16. 3.0L engines 

  16. Maintain engine speed of 1,500 rpm for 3-5 minutes or until hot air comes from the heater.
  17. Return to idle and verify hot air is still coming from the heater.

    18. All engines 

  18. Set the heater temperature setting to 24°C (75°F) and allow the vehicle to idle for 2 minutes.
  19. Shut the engine off and allow to cool.
  20. After the engine has cooled, add coolant to the degas bottle to bring the level to the cold fill MAX mark.

    21. 3.9L engines 

    CAUTION: The engine appearance cover is equipped with a noise suppressor. If the noise suppressor becomes separated from the engine appearance cover it must be positioned on the intake manifold prior to installing the engine appearance cover.
  21. Install the noise suppressor (if detached) and the engine appearance cover.
Fig 9: Identifying Engine Appearance Cover/Noise Suppressor
G03996267Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
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