Filling and Bleeding without a Vacuum Cooling System Filler

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-550 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-450 Super Duty, 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty, and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Before filling the cooling system, evaluate the cooling system condition. For additional information, refer to COOLING SYSTEM CONDITION EVALUATION . Failure to follow these instructions can result in damage to the engine.

NOTE: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

NOTE: Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, corrosion 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. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolants degrades the coolant 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.
Do not mix with recycled coolant. Use of such coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.

When adding or topping off the engine coolant:

measure the coolant concentration in the vehicle using Coolant Battery Refractometer ROB75240 or equivalent.
determine the concentrating 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 (equates to a freeze point between -34°C and -37°C [-30F and -34°F]) use Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted to maintain a coolant concentration in this same range.
- for all other concentrations, use Motorcraft® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated and/or distilled water to get to the desired concentration.

When filling 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.

NOTE: Filling the cooling system with a vacuum cooling system filler is the preferred method. Carry out the following procedure only if a vacuum cooling system filler is not available.

Install the RH fender splash shield. Refer to FRONT END BODY PANELS .
Connect the battery ground cable. Refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .
NOTE: Failure to block the radiator off will require more time before the thermostat will open.

Position a piece of cardboard on the driver side half of the radiator.
NOTE: The degas bottle cap must be loose so that the cooling system does not get pressurized.

Fill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C to -37°C [-30°F to -34°F]) 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 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.
Install the degas bottle cap until it starts to ratchet. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
Start and idle the engine until the coolant level stabilizes.
Refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line.
- Install the degas bottle cap until it starts to ratchet. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
Run the engine at 2, 000 RPM for 2 minutes.
Bring the engine to an idle.
- Determine if the thermostat has opened by feeling the temperature of the upper radiator hose at the radiator. If the hose is cool then the thermostat has not opened. If the hose is warm or hot then the thermostat has opened.
If the coolant level has dropped below the minimum fill line then refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line.
- Install the degas bottle cap until it starts to ratchet. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
Repeat Steps 5 through 7 until the thermostat opens.
- The coolant level will rise before the thermostat opens due to thermal expansion. The coolant level will drop after the thermostat opens due to air exiting the system.
Repeat Steps 5 and 7 until the coolant level stabilizes.
Stop the engine and remove the cardboard from the radiator.
Restart and idle the engine for 5 minutes to stabilize the coolant temperature.
Fill the degas bottle to 20 mm (0.787 in) above the maximum fill line.
- Install the degas bottle cap.
Verify that the cardboard has been removed from the radiator.