[Timlloyd97]

I’m looking to change the coolant on my 2017 1.5L EcoBoost engine. When I first drained it, I was only able to get about 1 gal out (about 1/3 the total liquid in the system) using the radiator drain plug. I would like to be able to drain everything so that way I won’t have to guess when it comes to adding coolant concentrate to get the right ratio. Does anyone know of an easy way to completely drain the cooling system?

 

[KY.BORN]

I’m looking to change the coolant on my 2017 1.5L EcoBoost engine. When I first drained it, I was only able to get about 1 gal out (about 1/3 the total liquid in the system) using the radiator drain plug. I would like to be able to drain everything so that way I won’t have to guess when it comes to adding coolant concentrate to get the right ratio. Does anyone know of an easy way to completely drain the cooling system?

Well how I did it..Stock up on gallons of distilled water...After first drain, refill the reservoir to proper level with distilled water only, start engine just a minute or 2...You will see the org. color lighten..shut engine and drain... repeat same steps until tank looks clear, drain....Then fill with new concentrate coolant, Ford Yellow type..Run engine and check for 50/50 mixture..If need be, remove coolant from reservoir only and add more concentrate coolant till you get a 50/50 mixture..

 

[murcod]

Make sure you've got the cabin heat turn up inside so the heater core gets flushed/ drained too. I usually wait until the engine is warm before draining so then the thermostat is definitely open. You need to be careful when draining then though, so you don't get scalded. Wait until the engine has cooled a bit before refilling.

Buy coolant concentrate too - not premixed. That way you should be able to add the 50% amount even when the whole system can't be emptied.

Parking on a slope may help drain more out.

 

[KY.BORN]

Make sure you've got the cabin heat turn up inside so the heater core gets flushed/ drained too. I usually wait until the engine is warm before draining so then the thermostat is definitely open. You need to be careful when draining then though, so you don't get scalded. Wait until the engine has cooled a bit before refilling.

Buy coolant concentrate too - not premixed. That way you should be able to add the 50% amount even when the whole system can't be emptied.

Parking on a slope may help drain more out.

I might be mistaken, but don't the newer heater cores flow coolant all the time now, and just the blend door opens to allow heat in the cabin or not??...The reason I think that is I did not have to run my engine more than a minute or 2 when cold to clear my old coolant when draining and refilling, and when finished, I had no remnants of the old orange color at all...

 

[EscapeTape]

Next time I do it I'm going to pull the hoses off the coolant pump at the bottom and see if I get more. Really poor design since you can't drain the charge cooler radiator. If that doesn't work front bumper is coming off so I can get to the other drain.

 

[murcod]

I might be mistaken, but don't the newer heater cores flow coolant all the time now, and just the blend door opens to allow heat in the cabin or not??...The reason I think that is I did not have to run my engine more than a minute or 2 when cold to clear my old coolant when draining and refilling, and when finished, I had no remnants of the old orange color at all...

I had a quick look in the workshop manual- the 1.6l appears to have a variable flow control to the heater, the 2.0l doesn't appear to and the 1.5l isn't covered by the workshop manual I've got.