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Filling and Bleeding - 3.5L Engine

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Mercury Milan, 2011 Lincoln MKZ, and 2011 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
    NOTE: Use the vacuum cooling system filler to fill the cooling system, then carry out the remaining steps to bleed all the air from the cooling system. Failure to follow these instructions can leave air in the cooling system which may damage the engine or cooling system.
    NOTE: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Specialty Green Engine Coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of the coolant. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.
    NOTE: Genuine Motorcraft® Specialty Green Engine Coolant is very sensitive to light. Do NOT allow this product to be exposed to ANY LIGHT for more than a day or two. Extended light exposure causes this product to degrade.
    NOTE: Engine coolant provides boil protection, corrosion protection, freeze protection, and cooling efficiency to the engine and cooling components.
    In order to obtain these protections, maintain the engine coolant at the correct concentration and fluid level in the degas bottle.
    To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
    • Add Motorcraft® Specialty Green Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B55-A. Do not mix coolant types.
    • Do not add or mix with any other type of engine coolant. Mixing coolants may degrade the coolant's corrosion protection.
    • Do not add alcohol, methanol, or 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® Specialty Green Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
  1. Install the vacuum cooling system filler and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
    • Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 engine coolant to distilled water.
    • 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 point protection down to -50°C (-58°F).
      • Engine coolant concentration above 60% decreases the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
    • 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 concentration below 40% decreases the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
    • Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
      Fig 1: Identifying Vacuum Cooling System Filler
      G07785599Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  2. Fill the degas bottle to 25 mm (0.984 in) above the COLD FILL line.
  3. Install the degas bottle cap until at least 1 audible click is heard.
  4. Turn the climate control system off.
  5. Start the engine and increase the engine speed to 3,500 rpm and hold for 30 seconds.
  6. Turn the engine off for and wait for 1 minute to purge any large air pockets from the cooling system.
    7. 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.
  7. Check the engine coolant level in degas bottle and if necessary fill to 25 mm (0.984 in) above the top of the COLD FILL LEVEL on the degas bottle if the engine is warm or to the top of the COLD FILL LEVEL if the engine is cold.
  8. 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.
  9. Increase the engine speed to 3,500 rpm and hold for 30 seconds.
  10. Allow the engine to idle for 30 seconds.
  11. Turn the engine off for 1 minute.
  12. Repeat steps 9 through 11 a total of 5 times to remove any remaining air trapped in the system.
    13. 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.
  13. Check the engine coolant level in degas bottle and if necessary fill to 25 mm (0.984 in) above the top of the COLD FILL LEVEL on the degas bottle if the engine is warm or to the top of the COLD FILL LEVEL if the engine is cold.
  14. Install the degas bottle cap until at least 1 audible click is heard.
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