This procedure drains, flushes, and refills the cooling system on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine, removing old coolant and replacing it with fresh Motorcraft Orange coolant to maintain proper engine temperature and prevent corrosion.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Radiator drain plug washer or O-ring × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Motorcraft Orange Coolant — 16 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold to the touch
2. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
3. Verify you have sufficient new coolant (16 quarts total, typically requires 50/50 premix or mix concentrate with distilled water)
4. Place drain pan underneath radiator drain location on driver side of radiator
5. Remove engine oil fill cap to relieve any vacuum (replace after draining)

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove radiator cap
   Turn the radiator cap slowly counterclockwise to the first stop and allow any residual pressure to release. Once pressure is released, push down and continue turning to remove the cap completely.
2. 2

   Open radiator drain plug
   Locate the radiator drain plug on the driver side lower corner of the radiator. Position drain pan beneath the plug. Turn the drain plug counterclockwise to open and allow coolant to drain into the pan. The drain will be slow initially as air enters the system.
   Torque spec

   Block Drain Plug25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Open thermostat housing bleed screw
   Locate the bleed screw on top of the thermostat housing near the upper radiator hose connection on the passenger side of the engine. Using a flathead screwdriver or small socket, turn the bleed screw counterclockwise 2-3 turns to open. This allows air to enter and speeds draining. Leave open for filling process.
   Torque spec

   Bleed Screw8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Drain engine block if applicable
   If equipped with block drain plugs on the 5.0L engine, locate them on both sides of the engine block near the freeze plugs. Remove to drain residual coolant from the block. Inspect plug washers and replace if damaged. This step ensures maximum old coolant removal.
5. 5

   Flush cooling system
   Close radiator drain plug and any block drains (if opened). Fill system with distilled water through radiator fill neck. Start engine and run until thermostat opens (upper radiator hose becomes hot), then run for 5 additional minutes. Shut off engine, allow to cool 30 minutes, then drain water completely. Repeat flush process once more for best results.
6. 6

   Install new drain plug seal and close drain
   Install new drain plug washer or O-ring onto the drain plug. Thread drain plug into radiator by hand until seated, then torque to specification. Ensure all block drains (if removed) are also reinstalled and torqued.
   Torque spec

   Block Drain Plug25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Refill cooling system
   With bleed screw still open, slowly pour fresh Motorcraft Orange coolant into the radiator fill neck using a funnel. Fill slowly to allow air to escape through the bleed screw. When coolant begins to flow from the bleed screw without air bubbles, close the bleed screw to specification using a torque wrench. Continue filling radiator to the fill neck.
   ℹ️Fill slowly to prevent air pockets. If coolant level drops significantly during filling, stop and allow time for coolant to settle before continuing.
   Torque spec

   Bleed Screw8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Fill coolant reservoir
   Fill the coolant overflow reservoir to the COLD FILL line marked on the side of the reservoir. Do not overfill.
9. 9

   Burp the cooling system
   Install radiator cap. Start engine and allow to idle with heater set to maximum temperature and fan on high. Monitor temperature gauge. Run engine until cooling fans cycle on and off at least twice (approximately 15-20 minutes). This ensures thermostat has opened and coolant is circulating completely.
   ⚠Monitor temperature gauge closely. If gauge approaches the red zone or warning light illuminates, shut off engine immediately and allow to cool. This may indicate air pockets preventing circulation.
10. 10

    Final fill and cap installation
    Shut off engine and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Carefully remove radiator cap (some pressure may remain) and check coolant level. Top off radiator to fill neck if needed. Check reservoir level and adjust to COLD FILL line. Reinstall radiator cap fully.

Reassembly

1. Ensure radiator cap is fully seated and locked in position
2. Wipe down any coolant spills on engine or frame components
3. Verify all drain plugs are tight and not leaking
4. Replace engine oil fill cap if removed during preparation

Verification

• Check for coolant leaks around radiator drain plug, hose connections, and bleed screw while engine is running
• Verify coolant level in reservoir is at COLD FILL line when engine is cold
• Confirm heater produces hot air when engine is at operating temperature
• Monitor temperature gauge during first test drive to ensure normal operating temperature is maintained
• Recheck coolant level in reservoir after 24 hours of driving and top off if necessary
• Test coolant freeze point with hydrometer or refractometer to verify proper concentration (should protect to -34°F minimum for 50/50 mix)

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