Filling and Bleeding without RADKITPLUS

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis and 2006 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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 clean, drinkable water and engine coolant.

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

Add Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in California, Oregon and New Mexico VC-7-B, in Canada CVC-7-A) or equivalent (yellow color) meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.
Do not add orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 (in California and Oregon VC-3) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Mixing coolants may 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.
Do not mix with recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet these Ford specifications. Use of such a coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.

WARNING: If equipped with fire suppression system, depower the system. For important safety warnings and procedures, refer to FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM .

Remove the thermostat. For additional information, refer to THERMOSTAT .
Disconnect the heater core coolant supply hose from the fitting at the rear of the manifold.
Add the coolant/water mixture through the thermostat opening until coolant appears at the heater core coolant supply outlet fitting at the rear of the manifold.

Fig 1: Identifying Heater Core Coolant Supply Outlet Fitting
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the heater hose, using an appropriately sized worm style clamp in place of the constant tension clamp.
Reinstall the thermostat gasket (O-ring) and the thermostat. For additional information, refer to THERMOSTAT .
Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks and replace the pressure cap.
Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air at the A/C vents in the instrument panel.
Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.

WARNING: If equipped with fire suppression system, repower the system. For important safety warnings and procedures, refer to FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM .

If equipped with fire suppression system, repower the system.

CAUTION: If 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.

Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks.
Repeat the 2 previous steps until the engine coolant mixture is between the "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks on the degas bottle. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool.
Check the freeze protection of the engine coolant mixture with the Battery/Antifreeze Tester 014-R1060 or equivalent. Adjust freezing point range if necessary. For additional information, refer to ENGINE COOLING .