Coolant flush.

[sammas]

I have a 2024 xl hybrid. I'm planning on doing a 2 drain and fills for coolant(one im putting just water, drive around and second drain and fill, I'm putting concentrate coolant/water) and can't find anything on directions. I know where the drain plug is for the radiator but not the hybrid system. also, there's no radiator cap? Do I just put the fluid in the reservoir?

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[BK007]

Why are you changing the coolant? You don't need to do 2 drain and fills. And you must "Burp" the air out of the system. And use Motorcraft pre-diluted coolant. I would let a shop handle it.

Change the engine coolant (initial replacement at 10 years or 200,000 mi, then every 5 years or 100,000 mi).

 

[sammas]

I'm changing it because I always changed coolant at 30k miles (currently 34k mile). you sure the coolant can last that long? also, isn't there coolant left in the engine? I usually do it twice to get rid of all the old coolant.

 

[BK007]

For your Hybrid 2.5L the owners manual says 10 years or 100,000 miles you can get your owners manual online free at Ford.com. And you can test it with these test strips from Amazon.

Fleetguard Coolant Analysis Test Kit CC2602A
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[Chops]

I have a 2024 xl hybrid. I'm planning on doing a 2 drain and fills for coolant(one im putting just water, drive around and second drain and fill, I'm putting concentrate coolant/water) and can't find anything on directions. I know where the drain plug is for the radiator but not the hybrid system. also, there's no radiator cap? Do I just put the fluid in the reservoir?

Does your High Voltage Battery coolant system use the same coolant as your Atkinson engine? I know you have separate reservoirs…

I think coolant is the closest thing to a “lifetime” fluid in our trucks - but at least we can see it Changing it properly certainly won’t hurt even if not required.

I had my EB’s coolant flushed & refilled this week at 2,000 miles - per the rare 25B34 recall. The service notes stated they performed a “vacuum coolant fill”.

I’ve learned that the EB has a tendency to trap air bubbles in the engine block. If not “vacuum” filled the coolant system will need to be “burped” to prevent overheating.

Not sure if your Atkinson or HVB coolant systems need to be vacuumed filled or burped.

Anyway, have fun with your DIY. I like to DIY my various fluids, typically sooner than Ford recommends - but I’m going to leave my fresh coolant alone for many (8ish?) years to come.

 

[Waterick]

Hybrids use the same type coolant for the HVB and the ICE, but have two separate systems using the same radiator. Unless your well over 100k, I would not change it. It is ten year fluid IIRC. I'm not certain the follow on fluids are as good or have the same change interval.

 

[icegradner]

For your Hybrid 2.5L the owners manual says 10 years or 100,000 miles you can get your owners manual online free at Ford.com.

Galvanic corrosion does not occur in Ford vehicles, because the manual says so? 10 years? Wow. I guess it's less of an issue since it's an aluminum block, aluminum rad and plastic hoses? I mean if it's true, great. Good idea on the test kit BTW.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

I have a 2024 xl hybrid. I'm planning on doing a 2 drain and fills for coolant(one im putting just water, drive around and second drain and fill, I'm putting concentrate coolant/water) and can't find anything on directions. I know where the drain plug is for the radiator but not the hybrid system. also, there's no radiator cap? Do I just put the fluid in the reservoir?

I think someone posted that certain pumps and valves had to be opened and closed while fluid was being circulated to get all air out of system. The hybrid battery fluid is routed throughout the HVB. In any case if you want to flush to get all of old coolant out just use coolant instead of water then replace that with new coolant.

 

[BK007]

Galvanic corrosion does not occur in Ford vehicles, because the manual says so? 10 years? Wow. I guess it's less of an issue since it's an aluminum block, aluminum rad and plastic hoses? I mean if it's true, great. Good idea on the test kit BTW.

I never said that... I was quoting the owners manual.... You can change it whenever you would like to. I will test mine and change when needed. Won't be anytime soon..

 

[icegradner]

I never said that... I was quoting the owners manual.... You can change it whenever you would like to. I will test mine and change when needed. Won't be anytime soon..

I wasn't attacking you! I just found what the manual said amusing. I feel the same way, no worries!

 

[sammas]

I think someone posted that certain pumps and valves had to be opened and closed while fluid was being circulated to get all air out of system. The hybrid battery fluid is routed throughout the HVB. In any case if you want to flush to get all of old coolant out just use coolant instead of water then replace that with new coolant.

Thank you for that information. honestly, based on the discussion, Im probably going to skip the battery side. It still looks new, and others have persuaded me not to.

The pumps/vavles if any in the main engine side is probably what concerns me. I've heard that pockets of air can stay within the system unless you can bleed it out. anyone knows how to get all of the air out or is it just the straight "burping" as mentioned before?

 

[skinnyboy]

Use a vacuum bleeder on the overflow tank and just change the coolant, you won't have any issues.

Cheers.

 

[dalola]

A coolant exchange on a modern vehicle is best left to a competent shop with proper equipment. The coolant exchange machine puts the entire coolant system under vacuum for extraction & refill, virtually eliminating air gaps within the system. It works similar to an HVAC (AC) machine.

You can DIY, but it's time consuming, and mostly ineffective at removing all the old coolant.

 

[HeyBales]

• Draining
• 
  
• NOTE: 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.
• NOTE: During normal vehicle operation, coolant can change color. As long as the engine coolant is clear and uncontaminated, this color change does not indicate the engine coolant has degraded nor does it require the engine coolant to be drained, the system to be flushed, or the engine coolant to be replaced.
• NOTE: Less than 80% of coolant capacity can be recovered with the engine in the vehicle. Dirty, rusty or contaminated coolant requires replacement.
• 
  
• 
  WARNING: When releasing the cooling system pressure, cover the coolant expansion tank cap with a thick cloth to prevent the possibility of scalding. Failure to follow this instruction may result in personal injury.
  
  Remove the pressure relief cap.
• Remove the engine front undershield. Refer to: Engine Front Undershield .
• 
  NOTE: Be prepared to collect escaping fluid.
  
  Connect a hose to drain the coolant. Open the radiator drain valve and drain the engine coolant in a suitable, clean container.Use the General Equipment: Fluid Container
  
• Close the radiator drain valve.
  
• Install the engine front undershield. Refer to: Engine Front Undershield.
• 
  
• Filling
  NOTE: Use the correct coolant. Do not mix coolant types. Mixing coolant types may degrade the coolant corrosion protection and may damage the engine or cooling system. For the correct coolant specified for this vehicle, refer to Specifications.
  NOTE: Always fill the cooling system with the manufacturer's specified coolant. Chemically flush the cooling system if a nonspecified coolant has been used. Refer to Cooling System Flushing. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the engine or cooling system.
  NOTE: 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.
  NOTE: 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.
  NOTE: Ford Motor Company does NOT recommend the use of recycled engine coolant since a Ford-approved recycling process is not yet available.
  
  
  
• When adding or topping off the engine coolant:
  
  • Measure the coolant concentration in the vehicle.Use the General Equipment: Coolant/Battery Refractometer
  • Determine the concentration desired based on the vehicle duty cycle operating conditions (non-extreme climate, extreme hot, or extreme cold)
  • NOTE: Make sure that the concentration of antifreeze is not below 40% or above 60% as engine parts could become damaged.
    Add, top-off or adjust the coolant to the correct concentration. Refer to: Specifications .
• 
  
  
• Install the vacuum cooling system filler and follow the manufacturer's instructions to fill and bleed the system. Refer to: Specifications
  (303-03B Engine Cooling - 2.5L Duratec - Hybrid (121kW/164PS) (S3), Specifications).Use the General Equipment: Cooling System Vacuum Tester and Refiller
• Fill the degas bottle to the MAX FILL line.
• Install the degas bottle cap until it contacts the hard stop.
• 
  
• Bleeding
• Switch the ignition to RUN.
• Put the transmission in PARK.
• Turn the climate control system off.
• Enter the cooling system fill mode.
  • Press the brake pedal for 10 seconds, release.
  • Press the brake pedal for 10 seconds, release.
  • Press the accelerator pedal to 100% for 10 seconds.
• 
  
• Hold the accelerator pedal to 100% for 1 minute. The coolant pump will operate at 100% and the engine will operate at 2, 000 rpm.
• Check the coolant level and fill to the MAX line on the degas bottle. Check if the thermostat is open. If the thermostat is open, the lower radiator hose will be hot.
• Hold the accelerator pedal to 100% for 5 minutes. The coolant pump will operate at 100% and the engine will operate at 2, 000 rpm.
• Check the coolant level and fill to the MAX line on the degas bottle. Check if the thermostat is open. If the thermostat is open, the lower radiator hose will be hot.
• Repeat steps 7 and 8 until the thermostat is open.
• Hold the accelerator pedal to 100% for 1 minute. The coolant pump will operate at 100% and the engine will operate at 2, 000 rpm.
• 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.
  
  Check the engine coolant level in the degas bottle and, if necessary, fill to the top of the MAX FILL line on the degas bottle.
• Install the pressure relief cap.

Not exactly old school instructions.

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