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Old 06-02-2017, 03:55 AM
EaOutlaw1969 EaOutlaw1969 is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 901
Default Cooling System Draining, Filling And Bleeding according to the manual

Let me start of by saying I do not recommend following Ford service procedure in bleeding the 2.3 Duratec cooling system.

Yet there seems to be a common problem with getting the air purged properly on these engines.

I use a much different method that does not require running the engine
unloaded at 4000 rpm which I think is crazy.

For those of you who want to know how I did it, I posted the procedure just after this lengthy Ford Procedure.



Cooling System Draining, Filling And Bleeding ( Ford's Procedure )

Partial Drain

WARNING: Never remove the pressure relief cap while the engine is operating or when the cooling system is hot. Failure to follow these instructions can result in damage to the cooling system or engine or personal injury. To avoid having scalding hot coolant or stead) blow out of the degas bottle when removing the pressure relief cap, wait until the engine has copied, then wrap a thick cloth around the pressure relief cap and turn it slowly. Step back while the pressure is released from the cooling system. When you are sure all the pressure has been released, (still with a cloth) turn and remove the pressure relief cap. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury.

CAUTION:
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.
Some vehicle cooling systems are filled with Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (in Oregon VC-5, in Canada CXC-10) or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESE-M97B44-A (green color). Others are filled with Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Always refill the cooling system with the same coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.
NOTE:
The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.
Less than 80% of the coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty, or contaminated coolant requires replacement.
Remove the degas bottle cap.
Place a suitable container below the radiator drain****. Drain the coolant.
Close the radiator drain**** when finished draining.
Complete Drain
Remove the degas bottle cap.
Place a suitable container below the radiator drain****. Drain the coolant.
Place a suitable container below the radiator lower hose and disconnect the hose from the thermostat housing.
Filling and Bleeding

CAUTION: Engine coolant provides freeze protection, boil protection, cooling efficiency and corrosion protection to the engine and cooling components. In order to obtain these protections, the engine coolant must be maintained at the correct concentration and fluid level. When adding engine coolant, use a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and clean drinkable water.

To maintain the integrity of the coolant and the cooling system:
Add Motorcraft Premium Engine Coolant VC-4-A (VC-5 in Oregon, CXC-10 in Canada) or an equivalent meeting specification ESE-M97B44-A (green color), or Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant VC-7-A or equivalent meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B51-A1 (yellow color). Use the same coolant that was drained from the system. Do not mix coolant types.
Do not add 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, brine or any engine coolants mixed with alcohol or methanol antifreeze. These can cause engine damage from overheating or freezing.
Do not mix recycled coolant unless it meets the requirements of specification ESE-M97B44-A or WSS-M97B51-A1.Not all coolant recycling processes meet these specifications. Use of such coolants may harm the engine and cooling system components.
NOTE: The addition of Motorcraft Cooling System Stop Leak Pellets, VC-6, darkens Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant from yellow to golden tan.

Filling and bleeding procedure for use with partial drain
Ensure the radiator drain**** is completely closed.
Fill the system through the degas bottle cap to 15 mm above the maximum fill level.
Install the degas bottle cap.
WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine.
Start the engine and hold at 2,500 rpm engine speed for approximately eight minutes until the thermostat opens.
Maintain 2,500 rpm engine speed for an additional three minutes.
Increase engine speed to 4,000 rpm and hold for five seconds.
Return engine speed to 2,500 rpm and hold for an additional three minutes.
Stop the engine and check for leaks.
Filling and bleeding procedure for use with complete drain

Install the radiator lower hose and close the radiator drain****.
Fill the system through the degas bottle cap to the maximum fill level.
WARNING: Do not stand in line with or near the engine cooling fan blade when revving the engine.
Start the engine and run for approximately ten seconds at 2,500 rpm to prime the heater circuit, then turn the engine off.
Top off the coolant level to 15 mm (0.6 inch) above the max fill level.
Install the degas bottle cap.
Start the engine and hold at 2,500 rpm engine speed for approximately eight minutes until the thermostat opens.
Maintain 2,500 rpm engine speed for an additional three minutes.
Increase engine speed to 4,000 rpm and hold for five seconds.
Return engine speed to 2,500 rpm and hold for an additional three minutes.
Repeat the previous two steps.
Stop the engine and check for leaks.
Verify correct fluid level after engine cools for 20 minutes. Top off the degas bottle to "max" line.

----------

Here is my method of filling and priming the engine. Do at your own risk.

Note my method I am sure is not perfect and is time consuming yet I feel this is a better and safer way to fill and prime this engine.

The most import part of this procedure is to add to correct amount of Coolant mixture back to the system if you find you have not put in enough your cooling system is or may be still too low .( which means you may still have air trapped in the system )

Cooling System Capacities 2.3L Manual Transmission (11.2 quarts)
2.3L Automatic Transmission (10.9 quarts)

With the engine cold and off and the pressure cap off the degas tank and the tank at the full mark squeeze the lower hose until you do not see air flowing into the tank.

Make sure to keep the coolant at the max line or just above so you do not suck air back into the engine and pump the hose slowly to avoid sucking air back into the engine.

while squeezing the lower and upper radiator hoses one at a time the fluid level should increase slightly then go back down.


For now do your best to purge the air if any is present in the system while the engine is off.

If your successful you should see the coolant level drop to the point where you will need to top off the tank frequently once you are sure the radiator and block are full or nearly full start the truck and turn the heater on.

Keep pumping the upper or lower hose whichever hose you can reach safely without getting your hands caught up in the serpentine belt.

While pumping keep an eye out for air bubbles if you get any air keep pumping. if you no longer see any air just make sure the expansion tank is topped off with coolant then put the cap back on and let it warm up and feel the lower hose again to make sure the t-stat is opening properly.

I went through all of this and yet for nearly a week I had to keep slightly topping off the cooling system each morning until finally I had my trucks cooling system air free.

others on this site may have a better way of purging the system of air so keep checking back.
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  #2  
Old 06-02-2017, 05:26 AM
tomw0 tomw0 is offline
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Posts: 1,086
Default Re: Cooling System Draining, Filling And Bleeding according to the manual

I suspect the 'official' procedure is designed to fill the system in a short period of time.

Most people would not want to go back to their mechanic daily to check & fill the degas for a week or so. Most mechanics want to 'get the job done' as quickly as possible, so they have no problem revving a customer engine to 4k, rather than manipulate the hoses to force bubbles to exit.
I am familiar with squeezing and 'moving the high spot' to help bubbles come to the surface to escape. I think it the best way to insure a full cooling system, or at least assist in getting as close to full as possible. Betta nickel you won't see shop techs doing things the way you describe as they'd be 'losing money' because they can't beat the official allowed time. FWIW
tom
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Old 06-02-2017, 05:35 AM
EaOutlaw1969 EaOutlaw1969 is offline
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Posts: 901
Default Re: Cooling System Draining, Filling And Bleeding according to the manual

Quote:
Originally Posted by tomw0 View Post
I suspect the 'official' procedure is designed to fill the system in a short period of time.

Most people would not want to go back to their mechanic daily to check & fill the degas for a week or so. Most mechanics want to 'get the job done' as quickly as possible, so they have no problem revving a customer engine to 4k, rather than manipulate the hoses to force bubbles to exit.
I am familiar with squeezing and 'moving the high spot' to help bubbles come to the surface to escape. I think it the best way to insure a full cooling system, or at least assist in getting as close to full as possible. Betta nickel you won't see shop techs doing things the way you describe as they'd be 'losing money' because they can't beat the official allowed time. FWIW
tom
I agree, when I was a commission paid mechanic I wouldn't take this much time either.

However I would think Snap-on, Matco, or MAC or other tool company has a way of purging the air for these trucks.

When I was wrenching for a living there way plenty of tools of the trade or tricks that helped speed jobs like this up without risking the engine.
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  #4  
Old 06-02-2017, 12:33 PM
Grumpa Grumpa is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 230
Default Re: Cooling System Draining, Filling And Bleeding according to the manual

I think there is a speedy system they have that uses vacuum to completely (or close to) fill the system. Only heard about it. Haven't seen or used one.
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Trans: A4LD (E) 2WD
Rear: 7.5 / 3.45 NL LHD
Tires:GY P235 75/R15 (orig 225 70/R14)
Long Bed, 20 Gal Tank
Up to 229,900 miles
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