Air Lock - any advice welcome - sorted thanks

BMCC · Post by **BMCC** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 6:10 pm

Just a note here, the fans never kicked in on mine. It was a cold day with the bonnet up it never got hot enough. My method and Indi's method are the same. I had mine on stands as I was changing the rad so it was easier to get at on the stands. The radiator is higher than the bleed bolt so if you open the bleed bolt then fill up the radiator (an assistant is easier so you can watch the coolant bleed out), the air should be pushed out by the coolant as it goes round the system. With the cap off and the engine running you will see the air working out the system as it will have a good few 'burps'.

No 'burping' after 5 -10 mins then switch off and let the engine cool. Once cool open the cap and fill up the rad if need be and finally make sure the expansion tank is at max.

Post by **bluejackhustler** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:06 pm

I had diffuculty in bleeding the girlfriends Peugeot a couple of weeks ago.

In the end I had to construct a header tank that fit above the radiator that would push the coolant around the system.

Each time I reved the car, bubbles would appear in the 'header tank'.

Also had to open the bleed nipples every now and again.

Took around 40 mins before all bubbles had come up.

Post by **vanzep** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:20 pm

Well im pretty sure its worked - just topped up the rad - opened the bleed nipple - blew into rad until fluid came out bleed nipple - nipped it up and drove off. Checked rad - no leaks - top and bottom hose both warm.
I will remove the rad cap later on and run it with cap off then leave it to settle overnight and then top up the rad tomorrow morning. maybe ive just read bit too much into some symptoms

there was an air lock as the bottom hose wasnt heating up - it does now. Also i need to take into account that with new rad,fluid and water pump the system is working at max efficiency so with cold weather no need for fan to operate. I will however be doing a daily check on this for the next week or so.
Thanks for your help and advice guys - much appreciated

Post by **4thgenphil** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:14 pm

bluejackhustler wrote:I had diffuculty in bleeding the girlfriends Peugeot a couple of weeks ago.

In the end I had to construct a header tank that fit above the radiator that would push the coolant around the system.

Each time I reved the car, bubbles would appear in the 'header tank'.

Also had to open the bleed nipples every now and again.

Took around 40 mins before all bubbles had come up.

there's a special tool for that

Post by **Merlin** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 11:32 am

Good that its all sorted. The car must have been on a small slope.

h10ndr · Post by **h10ndr** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 1:17 pm

You should have had the bleeder open and the heater on hot whilst you fill the system. Filling this way, the water will come out the bleeder before the rad is full to the neck. Once bubbles stop and a continuous stream of coolant comes out the bleeder, you close it, and then fill to the neck. Then fill up the expansion bottle to the max.

That's what the manual says to do. Worked fine for me.

Post by **vanzep** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 1:26 pm

cheers for the info h10ndr
i will have another look at it tonight as im still unsure - im hoping to get an expert to look at it
my instinct says its not quite right