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Cooling System Filling and Bleeding

For information on Ford Color Coded Illustrations refer to OEM Color Coding .

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment 

GFD474426Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
ROB75240Coolant/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 .
NOTE: 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 the appropriate 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.
  1. GFD474578Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    GFD185482Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    WARNING: When releasing the cooling system pressure, cover the coolant expansion tank cap with a thick cloth.

    Remove the pressure relief cap.

    GFD474579Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  2. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on hoist. Refer to: Jacking and Lifting - Overview .
  3. Remove the retainers and the engine underbody shield.
    GFD474429Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  4. NOTE: Be prepared to capture escaping fluid.
    NOTE: Use a drain hose to drain the coolant.

    Disconnect the quick release coupling and drain the engine coolant in a suitable, clean container. Use the General Equipment: Fluid Container

GFD474580Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Filling 

  1. Connect the quick hose coupling.
    GFD474580Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
  2. Install the engine underbody shield and the retainers.
    GFD474429Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    • 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 .

  3. 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

  4. Install the pressure relief cap.
GFD474581Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Bleeding 

  1. Place transmission selector in park.
  2. 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.