How do you refil the coolant on a 1987 ford ranger?

Answer 1

It depends on if you worked on the engine/cooling system or not, and the type of vehicle. I listed both. Place cardboard and a coolant drain pan under the vehicle to prevent a mess.

If you did NOT, and you need to add coolant....

1. ONLY when the engine is COLD, check the fluid level in the radiator. top off as needed with 50/50 antifreeze water mixture unless in very cold climates (<-30F) use 70/30 coolant-water mix.

2. The coolant reservoir that is attached to the radiator by a small hose has, cold/hot or low/high marks on it. With the engine cold you need to fill it to the cold/low line. If the engine is hot( you can top off) fill it to the HOT/upper line.

If you replaced the radiator/intake manifold/heater core...

1. Top off the radiator with coolant.

2. Take a Coolant funnel and place it in the radiator and fill with coolant mix. Start the engine, the fluid level will drop, keep it topped off.

3. Turn the heat on in the vehicle to make sure the heater core is getting filled

4. You will see bubble and the fluid level drop when the thermostat opens. If the vehicle is equipped with a bleeder screw loosening it with speed up the process by "bleeding the air" from the system. Once bubbles stop make sure to re tighten the bleeder screw.

5. The coolant in the funnel should stabilize and the air from the interior vents should get warm.

6. remove the coolant funnel and secure the radiator cap.

7. Add coolant to the reservoir and test drive. Making sure the coolant fan and thermostat temperatures are normally. Recheck the reservoirs level after the engine has cooled completely and fill to the low/cold line.

Some vehicle require special attention (BMWs with electric water pump) and should only be topped off. If engine work was performed special procedures need to be adhered to, to properly bleed the system.

Answer 2

The way I like to do it is to use a vacuum assist coolant system refiller, which pulls all of the air out of the cooling system. However, they're a bit expensive, and cost prohibitive for the casual DIYer to do. So what you would do is fill up the cooling system, run it with the radiator cap off and the heat on high. Let it run, squeeze the coolant lines to force air out... basically, you're waiting for the thermostat to open up and 'burp' the air out of the system. You may have to repeat this a couple times.