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air in coolant system
- Thread starter magician
- Start date
AzPete
Well-Known Member
When you fill the system, leave the cap off, cover the top of the core with coolant...not full. Let car idle until thermostat opens (cap off) and add coolant. Do this cycle a couple of times with the thermostat opening and you should be good. Fill to normal operation level for your car and install cap.
It is also possible to open a heater hose at the intake connection and watch for coolant to rise to the opening. You can still have air in the heater lines then.
I find the first method works good all the time.
It is also possible to open a heater hose at the intake connection and watch for coolant to rise to the opening. You can still have air in the heater lines then.
I find the first method works good all the time.
Personally, I've never understood the whole "air in the coolant system" thing. Air will rise to the top naturally. Therefore the air, especially once the t-stat opens will rise to the top of the upper hose and into the radiator, where it will stay at the top of the radiator.
I've been working on my own cars now for the last 34 years. I have never, ever, had "air in the system" that didn't come out all by itself.
Be very careful of running the car without the radiator cap on. If you have good water pressure, especially from a hi-volume pump, this usually means coolant EVERYWHERE as soon as the t-stat opens.
I just run the car, let it cool down, then top the radiator back off. That's all I've ever done for the last 34 years and it's worked every single time so far.
I've been working on my own cars now for the last 34 years. I have never, ever, had "air in the system" that didn't come out all by itself.
Be very careful of running the car without the radiator cap on. If you have good water pressure, especially from a hi-volume pump, this usually means coolant EVERYWHERE as soon as the t-stat opens.
I just run the car, let it cool down, then top the radiator back off. That's all I've ever done for the last 34 years and it's worked every single time so far.
AzPete
Well-Known Member
If the cap is left on when the first engine run is done, I have seen air trapped in the heater lines. That is all I have seen and only a couple times.
As far as the cap off, if the level of coolant is kept just above the radiator fins, it should not overflow and has not on me. I never fill it full until I have seen the thermostat open twice.
And fine John.....didn't want to compare years but I started on 8N Ford tractors....in 1956....chasing tools for my Dad. :lol And as he would say...."always more than on way to skin a cat" or to explain for some....there is more than one way to get the same job done.
As far as the cap off, if the level of coolant is kept just above the radiator fins, it should not overflow and has not on me. I never fill it full until I have seen the thermostat open twice.
And fine John.....didn't want to compare years but I started on 8N Ford tractors....in 1956....chasing tools for my Dad. :lol And as he would say...."always more than on way to skin a cat" or to explain for some....there is more than one way to get the same job done.
Mach1Rider
Active Member
Well Jp you have never done a BMW then. As it has to be bled off.
I do it Pet's way with the heater temp in the high position and add coolant SLOWLY after the thermostat opens fully.
This way coolant is flowing completely thru the entire system, Then the rad is topped off after it is shut down and cooled off.
Just my way to skin that cat....
I do it Pet's way with the heater temp in the high position and add coolant SLOWLY after the thermostat opens fully.
This way coolant is flowing completely thru the entire system, Then the rad is topped off after it is shut down and cooled off.
Just my way to skin that cat....
Sluggo
Active Member
"Mach1Rider" said:Well Jp you have never done a BMW then. As it has to be bled off.
I do it Pet's way with the heater temp in the high position and add coolant SLOWLY after the thermostat opens fully.
This way coolant is flowing completely thru the entire system, Then the rad is topped off after it is shut down and cooled off.
Just my way to skin that cat....
Same game on late model Toyotas.
daveSanborn
Active Member
And Jeep 258 6 Cylinder motors.....
"daveSanborn" said:
And Nissan V6s. Dang things have made me overly careful when filling any vehicle.... I fill the block through the top rad hose as much as possible, slap the hose on, and fill the rad and overflow tank. Park it nose uphill, radiator cap off, run it until hot, and call it good when it cools.
Beats running it, letting it cool, adding coolant as the bubbles pop, etc, etc all day like we used to do. :lol