coolant flush
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Bethlehem, PA
The way I do mine is pull the lower radiator hose off, draining the coolant. I then start the truck while running a garden hose into the system. Do all this with the heater on full blast to make sure you get the heater core. After a couple minutes, you can be sure all the old antifreeze is out. Put the lower rad hose back on (I use the lower rad hose instead of the petcock because it drains faster and the plastic pet***** are known to get brittle and break. Refill with a good antifreeze like Prestone with a 50/50 mixture. This gives you all around protection. If you live in extreme cold temps., you can run 70/30. I use distilled water in my mixture. I own a couple of Volvos as well with all aluminum motors. The forums tell you that the minerals in regular tap water will adversely effect the aluminum over time, so thats why I use distilled water. Make sure the system "burps" before you take it on a long ride. This may not be the approved flush method, But its how I do my trucks and Volvos.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 4
From: Sunny tourist infested FL
From the Manual...
FLUSHING
Coolant System Drain/Flush/Fill
164-R3673 or equivalent
CAUTION: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in California, Oregon and New Mexico VC-7-B, in Canada CVC-7-A) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
NOTE: Less than 80% of the coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.
When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and engine coolant.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
FLUSHING
Coolant System Drain/Flush/Fill
164-R3673 or equivalent
- Drain the engine cooling system. Remove the thermostat.
- Install the thermostat housing without the thermostat.
- NOTE: For additional information, refer to the cooling system Flush-All Operating Instructions for specific vehicle hook-up.
Use cooling system Flush-All, Flush Kit Hardware Package and Drain kit to flush the engine and radiator.
Use Premium Cooling System Flush VC-1 or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESR-M14P7-A. - Install the thermostat.
- Fill and bleed the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section
CAUTION: Vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A (in California, Oregon and New Mexico VC-7-B, in Canada CVC-7-A) or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Always fill the cooling system with the same type of coolant that is present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
NOTE: Less than 80% of the coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.
- Make sure the engine is cool.
- Wrap a thick cloth around the coolant pressure relief cap on the degas bottle. Slowly turn the cap counterclockwise (left) until the pressure begins to release.
- Step back while the pressure releases.
- When you are sure all the pressure has been released, use the cloth to turn and remove the cap.
- Place a suitable container below the radiator draincock. Drain the coolant.
- Tighten the radiator draincock when finished.
When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of distilled water and engine coolant.
To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
- Do not add orange-colored Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant VC-2 or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D. 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 unless it meets the requirements of Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1. Not all coolant recycling processes meet this Ford specification. Use of such coolant may harm the engine and cooling system components.
- Fill the radiator through the degas bottle until the coolant level is between the "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" marks.
- On the electronic manual temperature control (EMTC), move the temperature blend selector to the FULL WARM position. On the electronic automatic temperature control (EATC), set the temperature to 32°C (90°F).
- Run the engine at idle until it reaches normal operating temperature.
- Add the correct coolant mixture to the degas bottle until the coolant level is at the upper "COOLANT FILL LEVEL" mark.
- Repeat Steps 6 through 9 until the degas bottle level is correct.
- CAUTION: If the air discharge remains cool and the engine coolant temperature gauge does not move, the engine coolant level is low in the engine and must be filled. Stop the engine, allow it to cool and fill the cooling system. Select the maximum heater temperature and blower motor speed settings. Position the control to discharge air at the A/C vents.
- Start the engine and allow it to idle until it reaches normal operating temperature. While the engine is idling, feel for hot air from the A/C vents.
- Hot air should discharge from the A/C vents. The engine coolant temperature gauge should maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of the NORMAL range and the upper radiator hose should feel hot to the touch.
- Check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle and fill it as necessary.
- Repeat Steps 10 through 12 as necessary.
- Shut the engine off and allow it to cool.
- Check the cooling system for leaks.
- Install the pressure relief cap to the degas bottle.
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