coolant flush

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 18, 2009 | 08:09 PM

kywildcat103

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 40

Likes: 0

coolant flush

can anyone tell me the correct way to flush the coolant system in 2004 ford f150 5.4 and get the right mix back in. i believe it holds 19.5 qts

Sep 20, 2009 | 06:54 PM

magnet1

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.

Sep 21, 2009 | 04:04 PM

wildcard30

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

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

DRAINING

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.

FILLING

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.

NOTE: The addition of Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.

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.