Cooling system bleeding woes.

[m3f_cmzwirner]

So i did my cooling system refresh today, and everything bolted up beautifully, except for that mishimoto radiator. Dear mishimoto: Space out the upper hose and expansion tank ports so you can actually fit both of them on without hassle..



So anyways.. I proceed to fill and bleed the cooling system. With the car off and cold, i filled up the expansion tank to the cold line. It dropped so i refilled it until it didnt drop anymore. I then loosened the bleeder screw, turned on the car with the heat on full blast, and had someone rev the car at 2000RPM.



This is where things start going wrong. ONLY coolant bled from the screw. All it does is overflow onto the floor, and the expansion tank coolant level drops. The upper radiator hose is clearly full of air, but it wont budge. With the bleeder screw in, the coolant level in the expansion tank is static.



What am i doing wrong? Why is there so much air in the system, but only coolant is bled from the bleeder port?



The temp gauge is stuck at 12-o-clock as well. No overheating from 2000RPM for 15 minutes.

[m3f_97_4dr_5sp_c93706811c]

When I did my flush. I made sure the fluid was full, started the car, used my hand to cover the filler cap, and massaged the upper hose, and filled where necessary.


Worked for me :clueless:

[m3f_97_4dr_5sp_c93706811c]

Oh and had the heat on full blast.

[m3f_tbsleeper_1512dab94f]

take the car out for a ride with the heat on full blast high heat. When it starts to warm up like around normal temp or a little past pull over and open up that bleed screw. Mine let out one big burst of hot steam then was fine after that.

[m3f_PurduinaM3_5769f9ad51]

Also helps to have the car jacked up in the front only, so that the air will rise to the highest point.

[m3f_cmzwirner]

When I did my flush. I made sure the fluid was full, started the car, used my hand to cover the filler cap, and massaged the upper hose, and filled where necessary.



Worked for me :clueless:



Just did that. The coolant level in the expansion tank dropped significantly. But after filling it back up, the upper hose is still dry. I have so much air in this damn system.



Do you think it has to do with having the bleeding hole at the highest position? The car wasnt jacked up when bleeding was attempted..

[m3f_97_4dr_5sp_c93706811c]

Just did that. The coolant level in the expansion tank dropped significantly. But after filling it back up, the upper hose is still dry. I have so much air in this damn system.


Do you think it has to do with having the bleeding hole at the highest position? The car wasnt jacked up when bleeding was attempted..


I kept the bleeding screw closed as I massaged the hose. Fill the radiator as much as possible, massage the hose, and repeat if needed.

[m3f_ASC FTL_ccd289122e]

I didn't notice anything interesting with the bleeder screw, seems kinda worthless.



Just fill and drive, check and repeat? I added a couple times and didn't have any problems. Sounds like something is working since you never started to overheat. As long as the thermostat is open it shouldn't take too long to get coolant everywhere it needs to be. You don't really need anyone to hold the throttle either, just goose it up from under the hood if you feel like you need some extra RPM after adding a little more fluid.

[m3f_cmzwirner]

I did that. Theres still a huge pocket of air stuck in the hose. Its too late to try anything else right now. But ill try to make the bleeder screw the highest point of the system, and then then ill re-bleed the system.



Anyone else have any thoughts?



Edit: Way to beat me to the response.



Im just taking any precautions i can to not end up stranded on the side of the road. With this huge pocket of air in the hose, im not too confident that my car wont let me down.

[m3f_fiveightan_7e37700daf]

Did you leave the car running long enough to open the t-stat?

What is it exactly that makes you think there's air int he upper hose?

[m3f_cmzwirner]

Id assume the t-stat was open after 15 minutes at 2000RPM. The temp needle was stuck at 12.


And it just feels empty. I could be losing my mind.. But im going to run it and fill it up as needed. I dont feel like messing with it anymore.

[m3f_fiveightan_7e37700daf]

Id assume the t-stat was open after 15 minutes at 2000RPM. The temp needle was stuck at 12.



And it just feels empty. I could be losing my mind.. But im going to run it and fill it up as needed. I dont feel like messing with it anymore.

Is the hose hot? Hot hose = wet hose.



How much fluid do you add to the system? The capacity is 2.85 gal.

[m3f_Dmharvey_8a7f1b7858]

I left the bleeder partially open from the start and closed it once it seemed like all the air was out. Hope you get it sorted out, shouldn't be too complicated...

[m3f_cmzwirner]

Is the hose hot? Hot hose = wet hose.



How much fluid do you add to the system? The capacity is 2.85 gal.



Only about a gallon and a half. I didnt bleed the block, because the coolant was completely flushed recently. Only the radiator and upper/lower hoses were bled.



And the hose is hot. But when i squeeze it, a mixture of water and air comes out of the small hole below the cap of the expansion tank. Its like its spitting. There is definitely air in there, and it refuses to come out.

[m3f_ASC FTL_ccd289122e]

Only about a gallon and a half. I didnt bleed the block, because the coolant was completely flushed recently. Only the radiator and upper/lower hoses were bled.



And the hose is hot. But when i squeeze it, a mixture of water and air comes out of the small hole below the cap of the expansion tank. Its like its spitting. There is definitely air in there, and it refuses to come out.



Nah man I think you ARE going crazy.



Sounds like it's bled to me. Just keep driving and keep an eye on the overflow, add as necessary. Maybe keep a jug of mix in the trunk for a week just in case.