Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Cooling System Flushing
| Illustration | Tool Name | Tool Number |
|---|---|---|
| Coolant System Drain/Flush/Fill | 164-R3673 or equivalent | |
| Drain Kit | 164-R3662 or equivalent | |
| Flush Kit | 164-R3658 or equivalent |
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Motorcraft Premium Gold Engine Coolant with Bittering Agent (bittered in US only) VC-7-B (US); CVC-7-A (Canada); or equivalent (yellow color) |
WSS-M97B51-A1 |
| Premium Cooling System Flush VC-1 |
ESR-M14P7-A |
- Once pressure is released, remove the pressure relief cap/radiator cap.
- Drain the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding .
- Remove the coolant thermostat. For additional information, refer to Thermostat and Thermostat Housing - Exploded View , Thermostat - 4.0L SOHC , Thermostat - 4.6L (3V) or Thermostat - 5.4L (4V) .
- Install the coolant hose connection without the thermostat.
- Using an appropriate cooling system flusher, flush the engine and radiator.
Use Premium Cooling System Flush or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESR-M14P7-A. Always flush the cooling system with water thoroughly after using the VC-1 flush and prior to filling the cooling system with the same coolant that was present in the system. Do not mix coolant types.
- Install the thermostat. For additional information, refer to Thermostat and Thermostat Housing - Exploded View and Thermostat - 4.0L SOHC , Thermostat - 4.6L (3V) or Thermostat - 5.4L (4V) .
- Backflush the heater core. For additional information, refer to Heater Core Backflushing .
- Fill and bleed the cooling system. For additional information, refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding .
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.