[registo]

Hello,

I planned to replace the coolant.
My very simple question : what is the best way to proceed ?
1. draining from the radiator( no problem with that )
2. ???
Is it necessary to remove the thermostat ? Then disconnect the upper hose and start the engine few minutes to let the coolant getting out ?

With coolant can I use ? Does it matter?

TY

[UrbanRedneck]

No you don't want to start the engine like that, running dry will kill the water pump or make it a bitch to bleed the system.

If you have access to a flushing machine, use it. If not, then the best you can really do is drain the radiator and refil. That won't change the coolant in the block, but if you do it regularly it will keep phasing out old coolant.

[ModularSteed]

Originally Posted by UrbanRedneck No you don't want to start the engine like that, running dry will kill the water pump or make it a bitch to bleed the system. If you have access to a flushing machine, use it. If not, then the best you can really do is drain the radiator and refil. That won't change the coolant in the block, but if you do it regularly it will keep phasing out old coolant.

+1 flush is usually about $100 at valvoline or a place similar

[NastyFX4]

First of all, nice avatar 97stang. Awesome.

Draining it and filling it up should be fine. However if you want to get frisky, just drain it from the petcock on the bottom of the radiator, refill with distilled water, run it a little bit, and drain it again and than load it up with whatever you're planning on running in it.

[ModularSteed]

thanks

[silverstang]

drain the radiator. Refill with water. Let it run up to operating temperature. Drain radiator again. this time, leave the petcock open. Stick a CLEAN water hose into the degas bottle and crack open the water until it is barely overflowing out of the degas bottle. MAKE SURE you are doing this while the car is still hot. Crank the car up and let it run with the water hose still running into the degas bottle. You might have to turn the water pressure up on the hose after you start it. Just let it barely overflow out of the degas bottle while doing this. That will get most everything out of the system. When you refill, it is recommended to run distilled water (you can get it in big jugs)..........Coolant? The only coolant I will run in my car is Motorcraft Premium gold coolant (don't use the old green stuff).......

[07 Boss]

Don't mean to hijack, but while we are discussing the cooling system, is the thermostat really located in the hose, between the engine and radiator, in front of the P/S pump? That's what my Chiltons says. I thought it was right there on top of the block, in front of the intake by the throttle body, in the domed housing where the upper radiator hose connects.

[usafimj]

I believe its on top like you just described

[ModularSteed]

follow the upper radiator hose its at the end oposite the radiator. im not to sure on the new ones tho

[silverstang]

mine is inside the aluminum crossover under the front of the intake manifold.

[07 Boss]

So WTF is up with the Chiltons manual? Ok, now let me ask you this. The reason that I actually looked in the Chiltons was that I couldn't get to the bolt on the inside by the intake manifold, and I was wondering what the manual said. So How do you get to that bolt? Obviously the manual won't help 'cause it thinks the thermostat is somewhere else. Back to the bolt: There is not enough clearance between the intake manifold and that bolt for me to get a socket on it. And it looked like the only way I was going to get a wrench on it was to remove the throttle body and alternator bracket, or unbolt the whole intake. Has anyone changed their thermostat and have any insight to what I'm talking about? I feel like an idiot, it's just a thermostat. I thought I'd be in the garage for 25 minutes, It's like a 100 degrees in there, with the swamp cooler going.

[07 Boss]

I found this with the search button, an amazing thing that little button is. Anyways, is this right? That seems like an aweful lot to replace a thermostat. Why the F do we build engines this way? I just don't understand.


Disconnect the battery ground cable.
Remove the air cleaner outlet pipe.
Remove the accessory drive belt.
Disconnect the crankcase vent tube from the intake manifold and position it aside.
Remove the 2 generator support bracket outer bolts.
Remove the 2 lower generator nuts and position aside the generator and wiring harness.
NOTE: RH thermostat cover bolt has a slotted flange. Remove the LH thermostat cover bolt and loosen the RH bolt.
Position aside the thermostat cover and hose assembly.
Remove the thermostat O-ring seal and the thermostat.
Discard the thermostat O-ring seal.
Installation



NOTE: Lubricate the O-ring seal with clean engine coolant. Install the thermostat with the smaller plate facing upward and a new O-ring seal.
Position the thermostat cover and install the 2 bolts.
Tighten to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.) .
Position the generator and wiring harness and install the 2 nuts.
Tighten to 25 Nm (18 ft. lbs.) .
Install the 2 outer generator support bracket bolts.
Tighten to 10 Nm (89 inch lbs.) .
Connect the crankcase vent tube to the intake manifold.
Install the accessory drive belt.
Install the air cleaner outlet pipe.
Connect the battery ground cable.
Bleed the cooling system.

[usafimj]

Here's the Ford service manual. I'd find it for you but the net where I'm deployed to sucks and won't load crap for the manual. Hope this helps Ford Service Manuals - IN-VEHICLE REPAIR

[07 Boss]

Wow, what a PITA. It really wasn't that difficult but why the F should I have to take the alternator off in order to change the thermostat. That's stupid!