Date:         Tue, 28 Jun 2005 18:27:27 -0700
Reply-To:     kevin obrien <kevindobrien@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         kevin obrien <kevindobrien@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Coolant Bleeding Questions...need a Guru
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Hello All:

I had some questions about bleeding the air from my
coolant system after repacing my expansion tank in my
2.1L 1990 Carat. Any and all who have solid
experience...advice welcome.

After installing a new expansion bottle & a new sensor
I followed the coolant bleeding procedure posted by
Dennis Haynes awhile ago...and also consulted the
Bently manual.

After driving a few miles I stopped  and noticed the
expansion bottle wasn't full to the cap...only about
half full. I had lunch...started her up and...and the
coolant light began blinking (it wasn't doing this
immediately after the bleeding procedure)

Questions:

Instead of jacking it up 16"...can I just park on a
hill?

Should there be any air in the expansion tank after
the bleeding procedure? (or ever?)

Could it be that after the van ran a few miles more
air worked its way out of the system and it needs bled
again? Is this typical?

I began the bleeding procedure with the engine
initially cold. Is this best?

When bleeding it...How long should I run the engine,
watching for the coolant to drop/topping off, etc?
(ie: does the engine need to get really warm,
thermostadt open, etc?

I opened the little bleeder above the thermostadt by
turning it counter clockwise. A post in the archives
said it will "pull up" about 1/4 inch to open it. Mine
wouldn't. Should it? Is this important to the
procedure? (what is this for bleeder for?)

Finally...if the coolant system is pressurized and
sealed...howe is it that we can open the Overflow tank
lid (behind the license plate to add coolant...but we
don't have to bleed the system afterward?

I'm planning on trying to bleed it again in the
morning. Any and all advice/answers appreciated!

Kevin

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