Engine Cooling System Flushing - Without Oil Contamination

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Special Tool(s) / General Equipment 

Flushing 

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. Refer to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview .
2. • Fabricate a fresh water supply hose:
   • NOTE: The heater hose will prevent kinking in tight areas of the engine compartment.

     Cut the garden hose to length. The hose must reach from a fresh water supply faucet to the vehicle.

   • Using a coupling adapter and 2 hose clamps, attach a 61 cm (2 ft) length of heater hose to the garden hose.

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3. • Fabricate a drain hose.
   • NOTE: The heater hose will prevent kinking in tight areas of the engine compartment.

     Using a coupling adapter and 2 hose clamps, attach a 61 cm (2 ft) length of heater hose to the remaining section of the garden hose to be used as a drain hose.

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4. 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.

   Release the pressure in the cooling system by slowly turning the pressure relief cap one-half turn counterclockwise. When the pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.

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5. Using a suitable suction devise, siphon all contents and contaminants from the degas bottle. Use the General Equipment: Fluid Suction Gun

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6. Open the radiator draincock and drain the coolant.
7. Open the radiator draincock and drain the coolant.

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8. Disconnect the lower radiator hose. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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9. Remove the thermostat. Refer to: Thermostat .
10. Remove the gasket from the thermostat assembly and install the gasket and the coolant outlet connection.

    Torque: 44 lb.in (5 Nm)

11. Release the clamp and disconnect the heater return hose from the T-fitting. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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12. Using a coupling adapter and 2 hose clamps, connect the fabricated fresh water supply hose to the heater return hose.
13. Route the fabricated drain hose from under the vehicle and, using a hose clamp, connect the fabricated drain hose to the T-fitting.
14. Using hose pinch pliers, clamp the upper radiator hose.

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15. Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop.

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16. NOTE: Use of hot water during this procedure will improve removal of cooling system contaminants.

    Turn on the fresh water supply and allow the water to flush the cylinder block of contaminants.

17. Turn the water off when finished.
18. Remove the hose pinch pliers from the upper radiator hose.
19. Turn on the fresh water supply and allow the water to flush the radiator of contaminants.
20. Turn the water off when finished.
21. Connect the lower radiator hose. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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22. Remove the pressure relief cap.

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23. Disconnect the fresh water supply hose from the heater return hose and the drain hose from the T-fitting.
24. Connect the heater return hose to the T-fitting and position the clamp. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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25. Close the radiator draincock.

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26. NOTE: After adding Motorcraft® Engine Cooling System Iron Cleaner to the engine, carry out the remaining steps of the procedure within 24 hours. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

    Disconnect the upper radiator hose from the radiator and add 1.89L (2 qt) of Motorcraft® Engine Cooling System Iron Cleaner to the engine via the radiator hose opening. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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27. Connect the upper radiator hose. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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28. 1. Fill the cooling system with hot water:
    2. NOTE: The degas bottle cap must be loose so that the cooling system does not get pressurized.

       Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.

    3. Start and idle the engine until the coolant level stabilizes.
    4. If the coolant level drops below the minimum fill line refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line. Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
    5. Run the engine at 2, 000 rpm for 2 minutes.
    6. Bring the engine to an idle.
    7. If the coolant level drops below the minimum fill line refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line. Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
    8. Repeat Steps 5 through 7 until the coolant level stabilizes. Shut the engine off.
    9. Fill the degas bottle to 20 mm (0.787 in) above the maximum fill line. Install the degas bottle cap.
29. Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings.
30. Start the engine.
31. NOTE: Failure to run the engine at 2, 000 rpm for 1 hour will result in insufficient cleaning of the cooling system.

    Using a scan tool, select active command and set the engine rpm to 2, 000 and run the engine for 1 hour.

32. Return the engine to idle speed, shut the engine off and allow the engine to cool.
33. 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.

    Release the pressure in the cooling system by slowly turning the pressure relief cap 1/2 turn counterclockwise. When the pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

34. Using a suitable suction device, siphon all contents and contaminants from the degas bottle. Use the General Equipment: Fluid Suction Gun

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35. Open the radiator draincock and drain the cooling system. Leave the radiator draincock open.

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36. Disconnect the lower radiator hose to drain any remaining coolant from the cylinder block. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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37. Connect the lower radiator hose. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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38. Close the radiator draincock.

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39. Release the clamp and disconnect the heater return hose from the T-fitting. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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40. Using a coupling adapter and 2 hose clamps, connect the fabricated fresh water supply hose to the heater return hose.
41. Route the fabricated drain hose from under the vehicle and, using a hose clamp, connect the fabricated drain hose to the T-fitting.
42. Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop.

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43. NOTE: Failure to flush all the Motorcraft® Engine Cooling System Iron Cleaner from the cooling system will result in shortened coolant protection against corrosion of the cooling system.

    Turn on the fresh water supply and allow the water to flush the heater core and radiator system until the drain water is free of foam, bubbles or discoloration.

44. While the water is flushing the heater core and radiator system, use a clear, clean approximately 1 L (1 qt) container to collect some of the drain water and verify the drain water is free of foam, bubbles or discoloration.
45. Turn off the fresh water supply.
46. Open the radiator draincock and drain the cooling system. Use a clear, clean, approximately 1 L (1 qt) container to verify the drain water is free of foam, bubbles or discoloration.

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47. Close the radiator draincock when finished.

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48. If any of the drain water in step 46 shows signs of foam, bubbles or discoloration, repeat steps 43 through 46.
49. Using hose pinch pliers, clamp the upper radiator hose.

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50. Disconnect the lower radiator hose. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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51. Turn on the fresh water supply and allow the water to flush the cylinder block until the water is free of foam, bubbles or discoloration.
52. While the water is flushing the engine, use a clear, clean approximately 1 L (1 qt) container to collect some of the drain water and verify the drain water is free of foam, bubbles or discoloration.
53. If the drain water in step 52 shows signs of foam, bubbles or discoloration, continue to flush the engine with fresh water and repeat step 52 until the drain water is free of foam, bubbles or discoloration.
54. Turn off the fresh water supply and allow the cylinder block to drain.
55. Disconnect the fresh water supply hose from the heater return hose and the drain hose from the T-fitting.
56. Connect the heater return hose to the T-fitting and position the clamp. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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57. Connect the lower radiator hose.

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58. 1. Fill the cooling system with low hardness, low chloride water. Tap water which is verified with Rotunda Water Test Strip 5 pack 328-00007 or equivalent is acceptable. Alternatively, use water treated by reverse osmosis, or water that is de-ionized or distilled:
    2. Fill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line.
    3. NOTE: The degas bottle cap must be loose so that the cooling system does not get pressurized.

       Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.

    4. Start and idle the engine until the coolant level stabilizes.
    5. If the coolant level drops below the minimum fill line refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line. Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
    6. Run the engine at 2, 000 rpm for 2 minutes.
    7. Bring the engine to an idle.
    8. If the coolant level drops below the minimum fill line refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line. Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop. Back the degas bottle cap off one-half turn.
    9. Repeat Steps 5 through 7 until the coolant level stabilizes. Shut the engine off.
    10. Fill the degas bottle to 20 mm (0.787 in) above the maximum fill line. Install the degas bottle cap.
59. 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.

    Release the pressure in the cooling system by slowly turning the pressure relief cap 1/2 turn counterclockwise. When the pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap.

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

60. Open the radiator draincock and drain the cooling system. Leave the radiator draincock open.

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61. Disconnect the lower radiator hose to drain any remaining coolant from the cylinder block. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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62. Connect the lower radiator hose.

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63. Close the radiator draincock.

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64. NOTE: Make sure the thermostat gasket is in place on the thermostat assembly prior to installation.

    Using a new thermostat gasket, install the thermostat. Refer to: Thermostat .

65. Fill and bleed the cooling system. Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding .