Important! : Air lock in rad system

1. George1234 L-plater Joined: Aug 2010 ashford kent Posts: 45 03 plate vts

   #1 28th November 2011, 18:52

   maybe a very stupid question covered miullions of times but any help woulsd be great guys,
   
   i know i have a air lock in my rad system, i can hear a running water noise.
   
   so guessing it will need to be flushed... i know at the moment all i have in there is water so today got a nice big 5L bottle and anti freeze and coolant.. costing £25 (Y) could someone please give me a link to a step by step guide on how to do it...
   
   
   plus on another subject my temp keeps going up and down, never over 3/4 is that linked/ guessing it is?? i have a new thermostat which i could fit if needs be..
   
   p.s its a vts if that makes any differance lol
   any input or help would be great thanks
2. Barry123 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2005 Aycliffe Posts: 32205 Saxo VTS

   #2 28th November 2011, 19:04

   Grab a tesco 4 pint milk carton and cut the bottom off it. stick the top of the carton into your coolant top (on the rad). Fill the Rad and carton (make sure the carton has coolant in it too at all times). Start the engine. Undo the bleed screw located in the top left of the engine bay, wait for the bubbles to disappear. Undo the thermostat bleed screw, wait for the bubbles to disappear. Let the car get up to temp so that the thermostat directs flow to the rad (you will feel the rad being cold for ages then it'll start getting warmer). Job done.

   1 user thanked this post: George1234
3. George1234 L-plater Joined: Aug 2010 ashford kent Posts: 45 03 plate vts

   #3 28th November 2011, 19:11

   great cheers..
   
   the bubbles coming from the bleed screw yeah? and where will i find the thermostat bleed screw? and what ratio of coolant should i use? 50%
   
   sorry if im sounding a little slow here but i just want to make sure what im doing is correct
4. Simon0014 Established Member Joined: Aug 2010 Chippenham/Bristol Posts: 1892 1962 Austin Mini, BMW 330ci

   #4 28th November 2011, 19:15

   There are several ways of doing it successfully. I use this method:
   
   Make sure the engine is cold! As cold water on a warm engine can cause stuff to crack etc!
   
   - I get a coke bottle cut the top off and then tape it to the top of the header tank (on the left side of the rad)
   
   - Fill the header tank up with coolant/water mix. Open the first bleed point back left corner of the bay (looks like a dustcap) wait till a constant flow of water is coming out then replace cap.
   
   - Then locate the next bleed point which is on the thermorstat housing and you need to use a allen key to undo it. Open it until you can see a little drilled hole. Again wait for a constant flow of water. Then do it back up. (make sure the header tank is always topped up, having a mate with you makes this easier)
   
   - Then turn on the engine put the heaters on full blast and hot. Wait for hot air to come out then turn them off.
   
   - Wait for the thermostat to open (top rad hose will get hot) once it does open the third bleed point on the right hand side of the rad (wear marigolds imo, may sound gay but the water is fooking hot!!)
   
   Job done!

   1 user thanked this post: George1234
5. Simon0014 Established Member Joined: Aug 2010 Chippenham/Bristol Posts: 1892 1962 Austin Mini, BMW 330ci

   #5 28th November 2011, 19:15

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by George1234 great cheers.. the bubbles coming from the bleed screw yeah? and where will i find the thermostat bleed screw? and what ratio of coolant should i use? 50% sorry if im sounding a little slow here but i just want to make sure what im doing is correct

   Is it concentrate or ready mix?
6. George1234 L-plater Joined: Aug 2010 ashford kent Posts: 45 03 plate vts

   #6 28th November 2011, 19:18

   its concentrate... thanks btw
7. Simon0014 Established Member Joined: Aug 2010 Chippenham/Bristol Posts: 1892 1962 Austin Mini, BMW 330ci

   #7 28th November 2011, 19:20

   It should say on the bottle tbh. Some are super concentrated but normal concentrate is 50/50
8. George1234 L-plater Joined: Aug 2010 ashford kent Posts: 45 03 plate vts

   #8 28th November 2011, 19:27

   yeah says 50/50... ha i feel a twat now!
   
   any idea's where the final two bleed points are btw? dont know my way round the engine bay too well... found the first 1
9. George1234 L-plater Joined: Aug 2010 ashford kent Posts: 45 03 plate vts

   #9 28th November 2011, 19:30

   oh and another thing is the temp going up and down because of the air lock?? or should i put the new thermostat in?? i just find it a little annoying as i never know if the car is going to over heat...
10. Simon0014 Established Member Joined: Aug 2010 Chippenham/Bristol Posts: 1892 1962 Austin Mini, BMW 330ci

    #10 28th November 2011, 19:38

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by George1234 yeah says 50/50... ha i feel a twat now! any idea's where the final two bleed points are btw? dont know my way round the engine bay too well... found the first 1

    The front right hand corner of the engine block. Its a bronze colour allen key bolt on the top of the thermostat housing
    
    The third is at the front right by the passenger side headlight on the corner of the radiator. Its a plastic tap. When you bleed this one the water is hot so to save burning yourself wear marigolds please (I speak from experience it fucking hurts!!)
    
    

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by George1234 oh and another thing is the temp going up and down because of the air lock?? or should i put the new thermostat in?? i just find it a little annoying as i never know if the car is going to over heat...

    I imagine this is only doing this because of the air lock tbh.
11. George1234 L-plater Joined: Aug 2010 ashford kent Posts: 45 03 plate vts

    #11 28th November 2011, 19:44

    cheers mate i'll give it a crack in the morning when its light, yeah hope its just because of the air lock (nice and simple)