Date:         Wed, 17 May 2006 13:10:33 -0400
Reply-To:     "Bostig Eng." <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Bostig Eng." <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Subject:      Re: Need info on bleeding - Air problems with Subaru
Comments: To: "Josh, Courtney & Althea Wilson" <thosewilsons@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <2b14d3bf0605170853l27419913r5d25ef9fbff66eee@mail.gmail.co m>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed

Is it bubbling while you're running it cold(say at idle, from cold start, 
is new air being introduced to the system)?  No worries about not having 
the proper coolant mix yet, water cools better than water/coolant mix 
anyhow...

Jim

At 11:53 AM 5/17/2006, Josh, Courtney & Althea Wilson wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>Does anyone have some general information they can point me towards or send
>me regarding the issue of air in the cooling system of a Subaru conv. and
>the process of bleeding the air?  Iīve had my Subaru Vanagon for less than a
>year, and though Iīve heard that Subaru people sometimes have problems with
>air in the system, I never experienced it -- until recently. Iīve been
>travelling through Mexico, and some 2500 km ago the cap on the expansion
>tank seemed to stop working and the engine started overheating. The mechanic
>emptied the system, refilled it, and replaced the cap. About 1000 km later,
>the overheating started again. The next mechanic said the first must not
>have bled the air out very well. He put more water in, bled it on an incline
>with the rear higher than the front. All seemed well, and then some 1500 km
>later, same problem. So I filled and bled it myself this time, car is
>running well for now, but I fear something is being done wrong. Iīve got a
>hose attachment on the bleed screw, but how far should I open it? After the
>bubbles, when the engine is hot, I get what looks like foamy fluid for a
>while, but if I keep bleeding it, I lose a lot of fluid and the overheating
>starts again. I havenīt put the proper coolant balance in yet -- could that
>be the problem? It seems that air is the problem, and when she overheats,
>thereīs definitely air in the radiator, but maybe thatīs not the primary
>problem...? Why are you supposed to elevate the front of the car to bleed?
>The fluid doesnīt seem to start circulating through the radiator again until
>I elevate the rear end. Yeah, Iīm a little confused with it all.
>
>Anyway...any help is much appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>Joshua
>89 Subaru Vanagon
>