Draining the Coolant in a Ford Explorer
To drain the coolant in a Ford Explorer, you can follow these general steps:
1. Gather the necessary materials: You will need 10 gallons of distilled water, 3 gallons of coolant concentrate (such as Prestone Cor-Guard), and a coolant tester.
2. Prepare the vehicle: Make sure the engine is cool before starting. Park the vehicle on a level surface and engage the parking brake for safety.
3. Locate the drain valve: The drain valve is typically located on the bottom passenger side of the radiator. It is a plastic bolt that can be loosened to drain the coolant.
4. Drain the coolant: Place a container with a volume of 7 to 11 liters under the radiator drain valve. Carefully open the drain valve and allow the coolant to drain into the container. Be cautious as the coolant may be hot. If necessary, close the drain valve temporarily to empty the container and resume draining.
5. Flush the system: After draining the coolant, you may choose to flush the cooling system to remove any remaining coolant and debris. This can be done by connecting a water hose to the top radiator hose and allowing water to flow through the system. This helps to clear out any residual coolant and contaminants.
6. Refill with coolant: Once the system is drained and flushed, close the drain valve and refill the radiator with a mixture of coolant concentrate and distilled water according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Use a coolant tester to ensure the proper coolant-to-water ratio.
Remember to follow the specific instructions in your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the most accurate and detailed guidance on draining the coolant.
Please note that the coolant capacity for the Ford Explorer is approximately 13.5 quarts.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.
Contents
- What is the easiest way to drain coolant?
- How do you flush the radiator on a 2016 Ford Explorer?
- How can I drain my coolant tank?
- Where is the plug to flush the radiator?
- Can I drive with overfilled coolant?
- Do you need to flush coolant or just drain?
- What is the difference between a coolant flush and a radiator flush?
- What happens if you drain coolant?
- Can I flush coolant myself?
- How do you flush a radiator without removing it?
What is the easiest way to drain coolant?
Locate the Drain Plug and Loosen
This is found on the bottom of the radiator. Place a pan under the drain plug to catch old coolant. Loosen the drain plug and allow coolant to flow. Tighten the drain plug when coolant has stopped flowing.
How do you flush the radiator on a 2016 Ford Explorer?
Side. But we’ll take a look right now. And that’s it once you drain that out you fill up the water let it run the first round we’re gonna fill that one too the cooling system flush.
How can I drain my coolant tank?
To empty the system, let the engine cool, take the cap off the expansion tank, put the heater control inside the car on ‘hot’, and open the drain tap or remove the bottom hose. Open the bleed screws on the hoses and connections. They are usually thumbscrews and can be opened with the fingers.
Where is the plug to flush the radiator?
Locate the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator. It may be accessible from a standing position, but will most likely require getting under the vehicle to reach it.
Can I drive with overfilled coolant?
Driving with overfilled coolant can lead to overheating, which may damage your engine and other components. It is advisable to take immediate action to stop the problem from getting worse.
Do you need to flush coolant or just drain?
If you have something that’s over 10 years old and if you’re unsure about it, FLUSH IT. Contaminated/old coolant will start to carry rust/dirt particles through your engine and can cause a variety of bad things to occur, namely corrosion. For most people a drain and refill periodically is all you will ever need.
What is the difference between a coolant flush and a radiator flush?
What is a coolant flush? A coolant flush is another name for radiator flush, a procedure to clean your vehicle’s cooling system of sediment and rust. The coolant keeps your engine from overheating while running, and from freezing in cold weather when it’s not running.
What happens if you drain coolant?
Simply draining the radiator may get rid of most of the old antifreeze but could leave some coolant and contaminants behind, which would then mix with and pollute your new antifreeze and cause overheating. You want a full flush, a forced removal of anything old so you can pave the way for new fluid.
Can I flush coolant myself?
The good news is that you can keep your engine cool by conducting a coolant flush on your own. Even if you’re not super knowledgeable about cars, it’s easy enough to replace your old coolant with a fresh supply.
How do you flush a radiator without removing it?
You will want to place your hose or water source onto the inlet valve of your radiator, turning on the water supply to the hose and flushing the radiator out. Continue to run water through the radiator until all the water exiting the radiator is clear and free from sludge or debris.