Ford Focus Service Manual: Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding

Airlift Cooling System Tester UVU550000 or equivalent

Draining

1. 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.

   NOTICE: 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.

   NOTICE: The engine cooling system is filled with Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Mixing coolant types degrades the corrosion protection of Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine or cooling system damage.

   NOTE:

   If cooling system stop leak pellets are used, Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant may darken from yellow to golden tan.

   Release the cooling system pressure by slowly turning the pressure relief cap a quarter of a turn.

1. Remove the pressure relief cap when all the pressure has been released.

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. For additional information, refer to Section  100-02.

1. Remove the lower radiator air deflector. For additional information, refer to Section  501-02.

1. Place a suitable container below the radiator drain valve.
   • Open the radiator drain valve and allow the coolant to drain.
   • Close the radiator drain valve.

Filling and Bleeding with a Vacuum Cooling System Filler

NOTICE: 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 in this section. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

NOTICE: 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.

• Add Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Do not mix coolant types.
• Do not add or mix with any other type of engine coolant. 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.
• Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.

1. Install the lower radiator air deflector. For additional information, refer to Section  501-02.

1. Install the vacuum cooling system filler and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the cooling system.
   • Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 ethylene glycol to distilled water.
   • 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% will provide freeze point protection down to -50°C (-58°F).
     • Engine coolant concentration above 60% will decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
   • 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% will provide freeze point protection down to -26°C (-15°F).
     • Engine coolant concentration below 40% will decrease the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
   • Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.

Filling and Bleeding without a Vacuum Cooling System Filler

NOTICE: 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 in this section. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.

NOTICE: 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.

• Add Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same type of coolant that was drained from the cooling system. Do not mix coolant types.
• Do not add or mix with any other type of engine coolant. 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.
• Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant in vehicles originally equipped with Motorcraft® Premium Gold Engine Coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.

1. Install the lower radiator air deflector. For additional information, refer to Section  501-02.

1. Fill the radiator to the top of the fill neck and the coolant expansion tank to the max level mark.
   • Recommended coolant concentration is 50/50 ethylene glycol to distilled water.
   • 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% will provide freeze point protection down to -50°C (-58°F).
     • Engine coolant concentration above 60% will decrease the overheat protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
   • 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% will provide freeze point protection down to -26°C (-15°F).
     • Engine coolant concentration below 40% will decrease the corrosion and freeze protection characteristics of the engine coolant and may damage the engine.
   • Vehicles driven year-round in non-extreme climates should use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water for optimum cooling system and engine protection.

1. Install the pressure relief cap.

1. NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the coolant expansion tank drops below the cold fill line, allow the engine to cool. Once the engine is cool, add coolant to the coolant expansion tank to the cold fill line. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine damage.

   Start the engine, run and hold at 2,500 rpm for approximately 8 minutes until the thermostat opens, then for another 3 minutes after the thermostat opens.

1. Increase the engine speed briefly to 4,000 rpm and hold for approximately 5 seconds.

1. NOTICE: If the engine overheats or the fluid level in the coolant expansion tank drops below the cold fill line, allow the engine to cool. Once engine is cool, add coolant to the coolant expansion tank to the cold fill line. Failure to follow these instructions may result in engine damage.

   Return the engine speed to 2,500 rpm and hold for another 3 minutes.

1. Shut the engine OFF and allow to cool.

1. Check the engine for any leaks.

1. Check the coolant level in the coolant expansion tank and fill as necessary.