Filling and Bleeding without a Vacuum Cooling System Filler - 2.0L GTDI

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Lincoln MKX and 2014 Ford Edge. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent. 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® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.

NOTE: Do not use stop-leak style pellets/products as an additive in this engine cooling system. The addition of stop-leak style pellets/products can clog or damage the cooling system resulting in degraded cooling system performance and/or failure.

Install the radiator splash shield, the 7 screws and the 3 push-pins.

Fig 1: Locating Radiator Splash Shield Pins And Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Open the bleed valve on the heater core inlet hose.
NOTE: Make sure the coolant flows from the radiator through the upper radiator hose and fills the engine. When full, coolant should flow from the bleed hole.

Fill the system through the degas bottle to the COLD FILL line.

When adding or topping off the engine coolant:
1. Measure the coolant concentration in the vehicle using Coolant/Battery Refractometer 300-ROB75240 or equivalent.
2. Determine the concentration desired based on the vehicle duty cycle of extreme hot or cold operating conditions.
3. 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 (-30°F) and -37°C (-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 refilling 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.
4. Recommended coolant concentration is 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C (-30°F) and -37°C (-34°F)) engine coolant to distilled water.
5. 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% will decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
6. 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 -34°C (-30°F).
  - Engine coolant concentration below 40% will decrease the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
7. Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 48/52 to 50/50 (freeze protection -34°C (-30°F) and -37°C (-34°F)) mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
Install the degas bottle cap and close the bleed valve.
NOTE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the degas bottle drops below the cold fill line, allow the engine to cool. Once the engine is cool, add coolant to the degas bottle to the cold fill line. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine.

Start the engine and let it idle for 30 minutes or until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
Allow the engine to cool and repeat Steps 2 through 4 if necessary.
Start the engine and turn the heater to the MAX position.
NOTE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the degas bottle drops below the cold fill line, shut the engine off and allow it to cool. Once the engine is cool, add coolant to the degas bottle to the cold fill line. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine.

Run the engine at 2, 500 rpm for 10 minutes.
Shut the engine off and allow to cool.
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.

Check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle and fill as necessary.
Repeat Steps 7 through 10 if necessary.