Ford Enthusiast

[Charlie]

Quick addition: Information on burping the system.

Here is the official procedure from the Ford manual. If you have 4.0L OHV engine be sure to follow this procedure to get out all the air. It is also in your owners manual!

WARNING: NEVER REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHILE THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS INSTRUCTION COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM OR ENGINE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY. USE EXTREME CARE WHEN REMOVING THE RADIATOR CAP FROM A HOT RADIATOR. IF POSSIBLE, WAIT UNTIL ENGINE HAS COOLED, THEN WRAP A THICK CLOTH AROUND THE RADIATOR CAP AND TURN IT SLOWLY TO THE FIRST STOP. STEP BACK WHILE THE PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM. WHEN YOU ARE SURE ALL THE PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELEASED, PRESS DOWN ON THE RADIATOR CAP (STILL USING A CLOTH), TURN AND REMOVE IT.

Draining

Shut off engine (6007) and allow to cool.

Remove the radiator cap (8100). Refer to above warning.

Attach a 9.5mm (3/8-inch) inside diameter hose on the radiator draincock (8115) to minimize loss of coolant when draining. (look under your radiator - passenger side)

Open radiator draincock and permit coolant to drain into a clean container. (spray a bit of PB on it, then unscrew it)

Remove drain plug on cylinder block (6010) to allow coolant to drain from engine, if necessary. (not needed)

Dispose of old coolant properly. Promptly clean up any spilled coolant.


At this point you may want to flush the system, there are many ways. You can use a kit.

I like disconnecting the heater hose at the heater control valve, and inserting a push connect garden fitting into both hoses with the clamp(one is a drain or can be blocked off and another part open (e.g. rad cap)). Make sure the hose isn't on full blast(1/4-1/2 is fine since the heater core is fragile). You can flush a variety of ways (heater core, block, radiator) depending on the hose configuration.


Filling

WARNING: USE CAUTION WHEN ADDING COOLANT MIXTURE TO RADIATOR TO AVOID HOT COOLANT OR STEAM BLOW OUT FROM THE RADIATOR.

NOTE: Use the following steps to remove air from the cooling system and to make sure fill is complete. (VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE 4.0L)



NOTE: When filling a crossflow radiator (8005), allow time for the coolant to flow through the radiator tubes to fill both tanks.


Close radiator draincock and install cylinder block drain plug.

Fill the cooling system with a 50/50 ethylene glycol and water mixture. Allow several minutes for trapped air to escape (bubble out) and for coolant mixture to flow through the radiator.

Install radiator cap to pressure relief position by installing radiator cap to fully installed position and then backing off to first stop. This will allow any air to escape, and minimize spillage.


Slide heater temperature and mode selection levers to maximum heat position.

Start engine and run at fast idle (approximately 2000 rpm) for three to four minutes. Shut engine off.

With engine off, wrap radiator cap with a thick cloth, carefully remove radiator cap and add coolant to bring coolant level up to filler neck seat.

Replace radiator cap to fully installed position. Then, back off to first stop. Operate engine at fast idle until the upper radiator hose (8260) is warm (water thermostat (8575) opens). To check radiator, shut engine off, wrap radiator cap with thick cloth and carefully remove radiator cap. Add coolant if necessary. Replace radiator cap to fully installed position.

Open the small cap on the top of the radiator coolant recovery reservoir. The large cap is for the windshield washer reservoir. NEVER put coolant mixture in windshield washer bottle.

Using a suitable suction gun, remove all coolant from radiator coolant recovery reservoir.

Add 1 liter (1.1 quarts) of 50/50 mixture of ethylene glycol and water to the radiator coolant recovery reservoir. Close the small cap. (or fill between the hot and cold marks - suction gun is optional)


Also, check the level after a few trips. The OHV may need a bit extra coolant because of air issues.