r/FordFocus • u/Tree_Weasel • 11h ago
General Maintenance 2013 SE with 125k miles. Finally did a coolant flush. Took 8 flushes to come out clear.
I first drained the original coolant. Then added in distilled water and the Motorcraft VC-1 Coolant Flush. Drove around for about 20 minutes with the heater blasting to let it all work through the system.
In the first drain I poured another gallon of distilled water into the overflow basin to help flush out the original gunk, that’s why there’s two #1 gallon bottles on the first flush.
After that it was just add distilled water, run the engine for a bit, and then drain. I had originally bought 5 gallons of distilled water, but it took more, so I had to go to the store. I went to the store (7 minutes each way) with only distilled water in the coolant resovoir, and I think that’s why bottle 5 looks dirtier than bottle 4, as it got more time running through the system.
But, finally the 8th flush came out completely clear.
When it came time to add the new Yellow coolant I knew I would still have some distilled water leftover in the coolant system, so I would need to add concentrate to get the mix right. I took the internets advice and added 3 Liters of concentrate and then topped up the rest of the way with distilled water (about another liter or so). So far the mix seems right