Engine Cooling System Flushing - Without Oil or Transmission Fluid Contamination

For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations refer to OEM COLOR CODING .

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 article 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. Remove the pin-type retainers and position the lower air deflector aside.

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7. Connect a hose to drain the coolant. Open the radiator draincock and drain the engine coolant in a suitable, clean container. Use the General Equipment: Fluid Container

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8. Release the clamp and disconnect the lower radiator hose, and drain all the contaminants from the lower radiator hose. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer Use the General Equipment: Fluid Container

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

    Torque: 97 lb.in (11 Nm)

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11. NOTE: Do not install the fender splash shield at this time.

    Install the coolant inlet connector. Refer to: Coolant Inlet Connector .

12. Depress the quick release tabs and disconnect the heater return hose.

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13. Using a coupling adapter and 2 hose clamps, connect the fabricated fresh water supply hose to the heater core.
14. Using hose pinch pliers, clamp the upper radiator hose.

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15. Using hose pinch pliers, clamp the coolant bypass hose.

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16. Install the pressure relief cap.

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

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

18. Turn the water off when finished.
19. Remove the hose pinch pliers from the upper radiator hose.
20. Turn on the fresh water supply and allow the water to flush the radiator of contaminants.
21. Turn the water off when finished.
22. Remove the hose pinch pliers from the coolant bypass hose.
23. Remove the pressure relief cap.

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24. Disconnect the fresh water supply hose from the heater core.
25. Connect the heater return hose.

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26. Connect the lower radiator hose and position the clamp. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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27. Depress the quick release tabs and disconnect the transmission cooler coolant tubes. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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28. 1. Using a coupling adapter and 2 hose clamps, connect the fabricated fresh water supply hose to the transmission cooler outlet fitting.
    2. Using a hose clamp, connect the fabricated drain hose to the transmission cooler inlet fitting.

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29. Turn on the fresh water supply and allow the water to flush the transmission cooler of contaminants.
30. Turn the water off when finished.
31. Disconnect the fresh water supply hose from the transmission cooler outlet fitting.
32. Disconnect the drain hose from the transmission cooler inlet fitting.
33. Connect the transmission cooler coolant tubes.

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34. Close the radiator draincock.

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35. • Release the clamp and disconnect the upper radiator hose. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer
    • Add 0.946L (1 qt) of Motorcraft® Engine Cooling System Iron Cleaner / VC-9 to the engine via the coolant outlet connection opening.
    • Connect the upper radiator hose and position the clamp. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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36. 1. Fill the cooling system with hot water:
    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. If the coolant level drops below the minimum fill line refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line.
    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.
    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.
37. Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings.
38. Start the engine.
39. Using a scan tool, select active command and set the cooling fan to ON.
40. 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.

41. Return the engine to idle speed, shut the engine off and allow the engine to cool.
42. 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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43. Using a suitable suction device, siphon all contents and contaminants from the degas bottle.

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

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45. Release the clamp and disconnect the lower radiator hose, and drain all the contaminants from the lower radiator hose. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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46. Close the radiator draincock.

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47. Depress the quick release tabs and disconnect the heater return hose.

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48. Using a coupling adapter and 2 hose clamps, connect the fabricated fresh water supply hose to the heater core.
49. Using hose pinch pliers, clamp the coolant bypass hose.

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50. Install the pressure relief cap.

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51. NOTE: Failure to flush all the Motorcraft® Engine Cooling System Iron Cleaner / VC-9 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.

52. 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.
53. If the drain water in step 52 shows signs of foam, bubbles or discoloration, continue to flush the heater core and radiator system 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.
55. 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. Use the General Equipment: Fluid Container

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56. Close the radiator draincock.

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57. If any of the drain water in step 55 shows signs of foam, bubbles or discoloration, repeat steps 51 through 55.
58. Using hose pinch pliers, clamp the upper radiator hose.

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59. 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.
60. 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.
61. If the drain water in step 60 shows signs of foam, bubbles or discoloration, continue to flush the engine with fresh water and repeat step 60 until the drain water is free of foam, bubbles or discoloration.
62. Turn off the fresh water supply and allow the cylinder block to drain.
63. Disconnect the fresh water supply from the heater core.
64. Connect the heater return hose.

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65. Connect the lower radiator hose and position the clamp. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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66. Depress the quick release tabs and disconnect the transmission cooler coolant tubes. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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67. 1. Using a coupling adapter and 2 hose clamps, connect the fabricated fresh water supply hose to the transmission cooler outlet fitting.
    2. Using a hose clamp, connect the drain hose to the transmission cooler inlet fitting.

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68. Turn on the fresh water supply and allow the water to flush the transmission cooler until the drain water is free of foam, bubbles or discoloration.
69. While the water is flushing the transmission cooler, 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.
70. If the drain water in step 69 shows signs of foam, bubbles or discoloration, continue to flush the transmission cooler with fresh water and repeat step 69 until the drain water is free of foam, bubbles or discoloration.
71. Turn off the fresh water supply.
72. Disconnect the fresh water supply hose from the transmission cooler outlet fitting.
73. Connect the transmission cooler coolant tubes.

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74. 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. If the coolant level drops below the minimum fill line refill the degas bottle to the maximum fill line.
    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.
    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.
75. 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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76. Open the radiator draincock and drain the cooling system. Leave the radiator draincock open.

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77. • Release the clamp and disconnect the lower radiator hose, and drain all the water from the lower radiator hose. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer
    • Connect the lower radiator hose and position the clamp when finished. Use the General Equipment: Hose Clamp Remover/Installer

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78. Close the radiator draincock.

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79. Position back the lower air deflector and install pin-type retainers.

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80. Using a new thermostat O-ring, install the thermostat. Refer to: Thermostat .
81. Install the RH fender rear splash shield. Refer to: Fender Splash Shield .
82. Install the RH front tire. Refer to: Wheel and Tire .
83. Fill and bleed the cooling system. Refer to: Engine Cooling System Draining, Vacuum Filling and Bleeding .
84. Install a new degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop.

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