Cooling System Filling and Bleeding

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2021 Ford F-150. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY	ROB75240 Coolant/Battery Refractometer (Fahrenheit)
Fluid Container
Cooling System Vacuum Tester and Refiller

Draining

NOTE: The coolant must be recovered in a suitable, clean container for reuse. If the coolant is contaminated, it must be recycled or disposed of correctly. Using contaminated coolant may result in damage to the engine or cooling system components.

NOTE: Use the correct coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolant types may degrade the coolant corrosion protection and may damage the engine or cooling system. For the correct coolant specified for this vehicle, refer to SPECIFICATIONS
Always fill the cooling system with the manufacturer's specified coolant. Chemically flush the cooling system if a non-specified coolant has been used. Refer to ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHING . Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

NOTE: During normal vehicle operation, coolant can change color. As long as the engine coolant is clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.

NOTE: Less than 80% of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.

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WARNING: When releasing the cooling system pressure, cover the coolant expansion tank cap with a thick cloth.

Remove the pressure relief cap.

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With the vehicle in N, position it on hoist. Refer to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview .
NOTE: Be prepared to capture escaping fluid.

NOTE: Use a drain hose to drain the coolant.

Follow the directions to release quick release coupling type 3. Disconnect the coolant tube. Refer to: Quick Release Coupling .

Use the General Equipment: Fluid Container

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Filling

Follow the directions to connect quick release coupling type 3. Connect the coolant tube. Refer to: Quick Release Coupling .

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- NOTE: Use the correct coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolant types may degrade the coolant corrosion protection and may damage the engine or cooling system. For the correct coolant specified for this vehicle, refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
  
  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.
  
  NOTE: 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.
  
  NOTE: Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant since a Ford- approved recycling process is not yet available.
  
  When adding or topping off the engine coolant:
- Measure the coolant concentration in the vehicle. Use Special Service Tool: ROB75240 Coolant/Battery Refractometer (Fahrenheit).
- Determine the concentration desired based on the vehicle duty cycle of extreme hot or cold operating conditions.
- Add, top-off or adjust the coolant as follows: Refer to: Specifications .
NOTE: Verify that all of the SOBDMC/ TCM electrical connections are fully engaged. This is to avoid any fluid spillage into the connector openings.

NOTE: The cooling system must be filled with a commercially available vacuum cooling system filler.

Install the vacuum cooling system filler and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill the cooling system. Refer to: Specifications .

Use the General Equipment: Cooling System Vacuum Tester and Refiller
Install the pressure relief cap.

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Bleeding

Place transmission selector in park.
NOTE: The gas engine may or may not start.

Using the scan tool, run the service fill mode procedure for the electric powertrain cooling system. Monitor the coolant level in the degas bottle. Confirm that the SOBDMC/ TCM coolant pump is running by feeling for vibration at the pump.