1997 Ford F-150 Coolant Flush

FORD F-150
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HEAVNER
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  • 6 POSTS
I have a 1997 Ford F150 pickup truck, 4.6L engine with 70,000 miles. I am flushing the coolant and have 2 questions. Where are the block drain plugs on this truck? Haynes shows a picture of where they are located (about and inch about the oil pan) but I cannot find them. Is is necessary for me to drain coolant from these plugs or just drain the radiator? Also, Ford says to use an optimum coolant that does not have alcohol or methanol in it. What kind should I use? Thanks
Dec 13, 2006 at 2:38 AM
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BRUCE HUNT
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 3,754 POSTS
Don't bother with the plugs on the engine. Just another point to leak later. You can pretty much flush the engine when you remove the thermostat and use a hose.

As for coolant to replace. The vehicle is now 10 years old and I use the Walmart coolant in my truck and have for years. Performs fine.
May 7, 2021 at 4:09 AM
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H-YP3R
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You should be able to go to a ford dealership to purchase the correct coolant you need. The coolant bruce suggest "i'm assuming the green coolant" uses additives that can cause deteriation in the valleys in the engine. This coolant is fine but requires regular changing so the aditives in the coolant don't totaly brake down. I beleive ford uses the same thing but they have there own additives in it "sometimes a pill you can add to it"
May 7, 2021 at 4:09 AM
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H-YP3R
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Also when your flushing i would make extra care to flush out your heater core. as this is where deposites end up most the time.
May 7, 2021 at 4:09 AM
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BOOTDOG
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 665 POSTS
hey bud, listen to bruce hunt, the cheap green coolant has never failed. all the other long life coolants i've seen have been nothing but problems. you'll never have problems with the original green coolant. 8)
May 7, 2021 at 4:09 AM

Suggested Repair

Skip the engine block drain plugs to avoid future leaks. Remove the thermostat and flush the cooling system with a hose, including the heater core. Refill with conventional green coolant and change it regularly, or use the Ford-specified coolant from a dealer.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1997 Ford F-150 4.6L could not find the block drain plugs shown in Haynes and asked whether draining them was necessary and which coolant to use. Experts advised against opening the plugs because they can leak later, and recommended flushing by removing the thermostat and using a hose, with extra attention to the heater core. Conventional green coolant was recommended as reliable if changed regularly; a reply also suggested buying Ford coolant because green coolant additives can break down.

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