Coolant Refilling

Refill system with proper amounts of water and antifreeze coolant meeting Ford specification, ESE-M97B44-A (part number E2FZ-19549-AA, or equivalent).

1. Drain cooling system. See COOLANT DRAINING  . Ensure engine block drain-plugs and radiator draincock are installed and properly tightened.
2. Turn ignition switch to ON position and move front temperature control knob all the way to FULL warm position.

   For vehicle equipped with a rear heater, ensure that rear blower switch is in any position but OFF.

3. Loosen engine air relief plug. See Fig 1 .
   Fig 1: Removing/Locating Engine Air Relief Plug

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
4. Use an 8mm Allen-wrench to loosen radiator air relief plug three turns. Do not remove radiator air relief plug. See Fig 2 .
   Fig 2: Loosening Radiator Air Relief Plug

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
5. Remove air duct. See AIR DUCT  under FUEL SYSTEM.
6. Loosen heater pipe air relief clamp and remove cap.
7. Install a hose to heater pipe air relief tube. See Fig 3 .
   Fig 3: Installing A Hose To Heater Pipe Air Relief Tube

   Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
8. Add a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water to MAX mark on coolant reservoir.
NOTE: Ensure that hose end is submerged in coolant at all times.
9. Install other end of hose in coolant reservoir.
10. Place a drain pan under radiator air relief plug opening.
11. Slowly pour a 50/50 mixture of coolant into radiator filler neck. Allow several minutes for air to escape.
12. Fill radiator filler neck with coolant only until coolant starts to drip from radiator air relief plug opening.
13. Once coolant starts to drip from radiator air relief plug opening, close plug. Tighten radiator air relief plug to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS  .
NOTE: When adding more coolant, fill to bottom of overflow tube. Allow several minutes for air to escape.
14. Poor more coolant into radiator while gently moving upper radiator hose up and down.
15. Install a wire under radiator pressure cap negative pressure valve to allow flow of air and coolant regardless of pressure. Do not install cap at this time. See Fig 4 .

    When performing following step:

    • If coolant comes out of engine air relief plug, close it.
    • If coolant level in radiator filler neck lowers, add coolant.
    • If coolant overflows from radiator filler neck, install radiator pressure cap (with wire installed).
    Fig 4: Installing A Wire Under Radiator Pressure Cap

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. With engine air relief plug off, radiator pressure cap off, and selector lever in P position, start and run engine at 2000 RPM until lower radiator hose becomes hot, indicating that thermostat has opened.
17. Close engine air relief plug if it is already closed.
18. Stop engine. Allow it to cool down completely.
19. Refill radiator and coolant reservoir as necessary.
20. Install radiator pressure cap (with wire installed) and again warm engine to normal operating temperature.
21. Watch temperature gauge closely. If gauge begins to rise above normal, stop engine and allow it to cool down completely.
22. Refill radiator and coolant reservoir as necessary.
NOTE: While performing following procedure, keep coolant reservoir at MAX level.
NOTE: Repeat this procedure three times to ensure no air is trapped in system.
23. For models without rear heater: Run engine at 3000 RPM with front temperature control knob in full WARM position (ensure control is not OFF) for five minutes or until outlet air is hot.
NOTE: Repeat this procedure three times to ensure no air is trapped in system.
24. For models with a rear heater: Run engine at 3000 RPM with front temperature control knob in full COOL position and front and rear blower switches in any position but OFF, for five minutes or until rear outlet air is hot.
25. Turn rear blower switch to OFF position, front temperature control knob to full WARM position (ensure front control is not OFF) until front outlet air is hot.
26. Stop engine.
27. Poor coolant mixture into coolant reservoir to MAX level.
28. Allow engine to cool down.
29. Remove radiator pressure cap.
30. Remove wire and install radiator pressure cap.
31. Remove hose from heater pipe air relief tube and quickly reinstall cap and clamp.
32. Install air duct. See AIR DUCT  under FUEL SYSTEM.