Contents: Draining the coolant ↳ Flushing the cooling system ↳ Filling with coolant ↳ Checking the tightness of the… ↳
Note: If you use genuine Ford antifreeze, you do not need to replace the coolant. If you use regular antifreeze, you need to replace it every two years.
Caution: When opening the expansion tank cap on a hot engine, be careful, as hot fumes may escape and cause severe burns.
Caution Do not allow coolant to come into contact with clothing or the paintwork of the vehicle body; otherwise, rinse the surface with plenty of water.
Draining the coolant
Warning: Replace the coolant only when the engine is cold.
Remove the cap from the expansion tank. In the car, set the heater temperature control to the maximum temperature position. If you need to increase the working space, lift the front of the car and fix it on supports. Unscrew the splash guard located under the radiator, which is secured with 8 or 9 screws.
Place a suitable container under the radiator and unscrew the drain plug of the radiator hose. A coin can be used to unscrew the drain plug (see Fig. 1.21).
Flushing the cooling system
Drain the coolant, replace the radiator drain plug and fill the cooling system with fresh water. Replace the expansion tank cap, start the engine and warm it up to normal operating temperature. Turn off the engine, let it cool down and drain the water from the cooling system. Repeat the cooling system flushing operation until the water runs clear. Fill the cooling system with normal coolant.
To flush the radiator, drain the cooling system, then disconnect the hoses from the base and upper radiator tank. Insert a garden hose into the upper radiator hose and run water through the radiator until water comes out clean from the hose at the base of the radiator.
To flush the engine, insert a garden hose into the water outlet of the thermostat and run water through the engine until water comes out of the bottom hose clear.
Flush the heater radiator, having first opened the heater tap and disconnected the hoses from the heater. Connect a hose to one of the hoses and flush with a stream of clean water until the water flows out of the second hose clean.
Filling with coolant
After draining the coolant and flushing the cooling system, reinstall all previously removed hoses and secure them with clamps.
Fill the system slowly through the expansion tank, as the tank is at the highest point in the system, and all air in the system must be forced into the tank by the liquid being poured in. Filling the cooling system slowly with liquid reduces the possibility of air locks. Fill the coolant up to the MAX mark on the expansion tank. If there are air locks in the cooling system, they can be removed by squeezing various hoses.
Start the engine and warm it up in idle mode. If the liquid level in the expansion tank decreases, it is necessary to top up the coolant.
Checking the tightness of the cooling system
Coolant leaks can be identified by the presence of a white coating.
Check the hoses and pipes for cracks and elasticity by bending and squeezing them.
Check the installation of the hoses on the fittings and their fixation with clamps.
Noticeable loss of coolant with traces of engine oil in it, as well as white smoke from the exhaust pipe indicate a burnt-out cylinder head gasket, which must be replaced.