Filling and Bleeding without a Vacuum Cooling System Filler

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 Ford Expedition. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft ® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant. Always fill the cooling system with the manufacturer's specified coolant. If a non-specified coolant has been used the cooling system must be chemically flushed. Refer to Cooling System Flushing . Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

NOTE: Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:

Do not mix coolant types. 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.
Do not mix with recycled coolant. Use of such coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.

1.

Close the radiator draincock.

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2.

Install the underbody shield.

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3.

Fill the radiator through the degas bottle until the coolant level is at the MAX FILL line.
- 1.
  
  When adding or topping off engine coolant:
  - measure the coolant concentration in the vehicle using Coolant/Battery Refractometer ROB 75240 or equivalent.
  - determine the concentration desired bassed on the vehicle duty cycle of extreme hot or cold operating conditions.
  - add/top off or adjsut the coolant as follows:
    - for concentrations measured 48/52 to 50/50, use Motorcraft ® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Prediluted to maintain a coolant concentration in this same range (freeze protection down to -34 °C to -37 °C [-30 °F to -34 °F]).
    - for all other concentrations, use Motorcraft ® Orange Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrated and/or distilled water t get to the desired concentration. Refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding
  - 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.
- 2.
  
  5. Recommended coolant concentration is 48/52 to 50/50 engine coolant to distilled water (freeze protection -34 °C to -37 °C [-30 °F to -34 °F]).
- 3.
  
  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.
- 4.
  
  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.
- 5.
  
  Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 48/52 to 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water (freeze protection down to -34 °C to -37 °C [-30 °F to -34 °F]) for optimum cooling system and engine protection.

4.

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

5.

Turn the climate control system off.

6.

Start the engine and increase the engine speed to 3, 500 rpm and hold for 30 seconds.

7.

Turn the engine off for and wait for 1 minute to purge any large air pockets from the cooling system.

8.

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 if necessary fill to the top of the MAX FILL line on the degas bottle if the engine is warm or to the top of the MIN FILL LEVEL if the engine is cold.

9.

Start the engine and let it idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature and the thermostat is fully open. A fully open thermostat is verified by the cooling fan cycling on at least once.

10.

Increase the engine speed to 3, 500 rpm and hold for 30 seconds.

11.

Allow the engine to idle for 30 seconds.

12.

Turn the engine off for 1 minute.

13.

Repeat steps 10 through 12 a total of 10 times to remove any remaining air trapped in the system.

14.

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.

NOTE: The coolant should be at room temperature when checking the level.

Check the engine coolant level in degas bottle and if necessary fill to the top of the MAX FILL line on the degas bottle.

15.

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

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY