Filling and Bleeding without a Vacuum Cooling System Filler - 2.5L and 3.0L Engines

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

NOTE: The cooling system is filled with Motorcraft® Specialty Green Engine Coolant or Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. 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 COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHING . Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

NOTE: Motorcraft® Specialty Green Engine Coolant is very sensitive to light. Do NOT allow this product to be exposed to ANY LIGHT for more than a day or two. Extended light exposure causes this product to degrade.

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® Specialty Green Engine Coolant or Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant. Use the same type of coolant that was originally used to fill the cooling system. 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® Specialty Green Engine Coolant or Motorcraft® Specialty Orange Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.

NOTE: Stop-leak style pellets/products must not be used 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.

2.5L engine

Remove the degas bottle cap and the bleed valve on the back of the engine coolant outlet.

Fig 1: Location of Degas Bottle Cap (2.5L Engine)
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

3.0L engine
Remove the degas bottle cap and the bleed valve on the top of the coolant pump housing.

Fig 2: Location of Bleed Valve On Top Of Coolant Pump Housing
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

2.5L and 3.0L engines

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 degas bottle to the MAX fill line.
- Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 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 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.
Install the degas bottle cap and the bleed valve leaving both loose.
Start the engine and let it idle A mixture of air and coolant should escape from the open bleed valve.
After all of the air has escaped from the bleed valve turn off the engine and close the bleed valve and the degas bottle cap.
NOTE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level drops below the minimum fill line, shut off the engine and add fluid to the degas bottle maximum fill line once the engine cools. Failure to follow these instructions may result in damage to the engine.
Start the engine and let it idle for 10 minutes (3.0L), 30 minutes (2.5L) or until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
Carry out the following:
1. Increase the engine speed to 3, 000 RPM for 10 seconds.
2. Idle engine for 50 seconds.
3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 a total of 15 times.

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 degas bottle and fill as necessary.