I'm working on my son-in-law's 2009 Ford Escape 2.5 l, it overheated on him and I have replaced some parts and need to top it off and get the air out. I know these particular engines are very difficult and almost require it to be vacuum filled, my question is when using one of these outfits do you have to have the system completely empty or can you leave what's left of the coolant in the engine while you do this? I've watched a lot of videos on this and no one mentions that, so I don't know if it has to be completely empty which would be nearly impossible I think or can I leave the remaining coolant in there? In thinking about it it seems like it would just suck out the coolant but maybe I'm not thinking about this properly. If you are in the know on these things please educate me LOL. Thanks

I would ask this question on a Ford Escape forum

This is the general forum Cab...You can ask about any vehicle you want...

Does not need to be completely empty. We do this on every machine we build new at work, and i refill them, when I do repair work, the same way. Suck the air out, then open the valve, and let it fill. I usually do them twice to make sure the system, is completely full.

drain the system then suck it down

I have done this like 3 times on 2 different cars.
I borrowed one from oreily's or autozone.
multiple adapters for different makes.
I did not completely empty the system.
we were doing repair work and replacing a coolant line. or after replacing a clamp refilling.
the only catch is if you have coolant near the top, the exhaust line will start spraying coolant.
I tried to make sure it was in another container so if it started to spray it would just collect in that container.
I just watched the top hose collapse and then transferred to let it suck coolant back in.
as a poster above mentioned, I do it a couple of times to make sure I got it full.
top off the over flow container and then watch it a few days to make sure it stays full.

Thanks Ted, I thought that was that case but it's been some minutes lol

Thanks Jerico for the input. So you say you do it a 2nd time to make sure it's full and no air in it, to be clear that's with it full or nearly full correct?

PS, I keep wanting to call you Jeff, is that right? It's been some years since I talked to you lol

Thanks to all for your input, much appreciated

So just went through this on my daughter's 2014 escape with a 2.5L. I believe yours's is a different body design so may be different than this one, but in order to use a vacuum filler you need to take the cowl off - absolutely no room. I did buy the vacuum filler, but elected to do it old school. I have a cooling system funnel kit, and using several 45's I was just able to make the funnel kit work without removing the cowl.

Worked out just fine. Burped many times, level went up, level went down and then all good. Took it on a 1200 mile trip and went down just a cupful ion the overflow tank, But the radiator is not higher than the overflow tank in this car.

So it was not hard to fill this 2.5L engine.

Agreed, this is what I do on my 51 Plymouth.

Correct,and correct.

As for coolant coming out during the second fill, I just wrap a rag around the "exhaust" of the filler, and it does spray every where then.

Ok, thanks again to everyone, got it handled