Filling and Bleeding without a Vacuum Cooling System Filler

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

NOTE: Early build vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Late build vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of the coolant. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

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

Add Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 or Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. Use the same type of coolant that was originally used to fill the cooling system. 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® Premium Gold Engine Coolant or Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.

NOTE: If cooling system stop leak pellets are used, Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant may darken from yellow to golden tan.

Install the LH splash shield and the 7 retainers.

Fig 1: Locating LH Splash Shields Retainers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Add the correct engine coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the COOLANT FILL LEVEL marks.
- 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.
Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air at vents in the instrument panel.
Start the engine and allow to idle. While engine is idling, feel for hot air at vents.

NOTE: If air discharge remains cool and Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) gauge does not move, engine coolant level is low in engine and must be filled. Stop engine, allow to cool and fill cooling system. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the engine.

Start the engine and allow to idle until normal operating temperature is reached. Hot air should discharge from vents. The Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) gauge should maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of the NORMAL range and the upper radiator hose should feel hot to the touch.
Shut the engine OFF and allow to cool.
Check the engine for coolant leaks.
Check the engine coolant level in degas bottle and fill as necessary.