Coolant flush ?
No longer stuck in 2003
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Not quite over the rainbow
When I did my reservoir, I drained it like Lenn suggested - pulling the bottom hose. I also removed the whole reservoir and gave it a good cleaning.
Also, when I filled the system, I cut my old upper hose and made it so I could fill the system there..... with the cap off of the reservoir. As soon as the coolant was to the top of the radiator, I then filled the reservoir up. I don't know if that's the proper procedure, but in my case it worked to perfection. I didn't need to burp it at all.
Also, when I filled the system, I cut my old upper hose and made it so I could fill the system there..... with the cap off of the reservoir. As soon as the coolant was to the top of the radiator, I then filled the reservoir up. I don't know if that's the proper procedure, but in my case it worked to perfection. I didn't need to burp it at all.
This was also when I discovered that someone changed the thermostat (good) and glued the housing together with some weld like substance (bad.) Fortunately I was able to find a housing at pick n pull.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 23,205
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From: Utah
Well, I'm about to do it on my Escape. It needs a new t-stat and I'm also doing the water pump. Mine is a 2.3 though.... not sure what yours is. I will probably end up doing the same deal on my brothers 3.0 Escape.
No longer stuck in 2003
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 689
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From: Not quite over the rainbow
It's a 3.0, all the instructions I found said you could remove the lower support, however on this magical beast I couldn't. They welded it after the truck had been in a wreck so getting the fans out was a pain. Trying to maneuver the radiator around the fan is not something I want to ever experience again. I miss my mustang, there is so much room under the hood I don't have to fight anything. (1964.5 with a 302 maverick engine in it.)
98 F150 5.4L E40D/4R100
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 28,538
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From: MI
You pull the block plug as well while draining and flushing to get ALL the crap out. Have a long pick handy or thin screw driver or the hole will plug right up. There's always crap in the block, just keep it clear so most of comes out. Telescopic magnet is a big help as well. 
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2017
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 23,205
Likes: 8,625
From: Utah
You pull the block plug as well while draining and flushing to get ALL the crap out. Have a long pick handy or thin screw driver or the hole will plug right up. There's always crap in the block, just keep it clear so most of comes out. Telescopic magnet is a big help as well.