Date:         Sun, 10 Mar 2002 12:06:51 -0500
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Bleeding the front radiator
In-Reply-To:  <B8B0C880.4718%ben@kbmc.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

NO NO NO! Do not warm up the engine. A warm engine makes the coolant
turn to vapor with the coolant system open. This makes bleeding
difficult. Also, never add coolant to a hot running engine. Helps make
warped heads. Also, there is no need to raise the front. In fact it
makes things harder as you have to raise the coolant that much further
to bleed the system. Try this procedure.

1) Engine should be dead cold. If not successful bleeding in 10 minutes,
Walk away, have lunch, beer etc, come back later.

2) Prepare coolant supply, have ready. Pre-mixing will make it easier to
keep proper ratio.

3) Open thermostat bypass valve and valves to both heater cores.

4) Fill main reservoir as much as possible. Allow time for as much
coolant to fill into engine as possible.

5) Start engine. Use something to hold engine speed around 2,000 to
2,500 rpm.

6) Open radiator bleeder (partner will help).

7) Continue to fill cooling system while air is being expelled from
bleeder and reservoir.

8) When both flow water steadily, close radiator bleeder, then reinstall
cooling pressure cap, (It was tested and know to be good?). You can also
close the bypass now.

9) Allow engine to return to normal idle speed.

10) Return heater valves to where you want them. Test system. Make sure
radiator fan works. Don't forget to top off the expansion tank behind
the license plate. Any residual air will eventually work its way out. If
not, than you a problem.

11) After van is operated for a while, test coolant concentration to
make certain you have the proper mixture, (50-70%).

Dennis


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Ben McCafferty
Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 11:23 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Bleeding the front radiator

Raise the front of the van 10cm or 40cm, depending on which version of
Bentley you believe, warm up the van until the thermostat opens, hold
the
engine at 2000 RPM with the pressure cap off, and crack the bleed screw
on
the radiator.  It's a 13mm on the passenger side, top.  Don't take is
all
the way out, just loosen it.  Add coolant/water mixture as needed in the
tank, and watch the stream coming out of the radiator.  When it runs
free of
bubbles, you can close the screw.  Make sure to close the pressure cap
before you drop the engine below 2000 RPM or it will blow hot coolant
everywhere.

Some guys do this process several times over a week or so to make sure
you
get all the bubbles.

tx,
bmc  :)
"Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."


> From: Chris Winesette <Chriswinesette@AOL.COM>
> Reply-To: Chriswinesette@AOL.COM
> Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 10:53:32 EST
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Bleeding the front radiator
>
> What is the best way to bleed the front radiator?
>