Did a radiator/reservoir drain and fill last night in the Escort, but some air got into the system. I burped it via shop manual instructions - run until warm, then shut off engine and slightly turn radiator cap to release pressure. That sent a bunch of bubbles into the reservoir, and I added about another litre of coolant to bring it back up to level.
Now I've been reading on 'burping' online, and there are a lot of tips on raising the front of the car so the radiator cap is the highest point, or using a different outlet to purge air. My question is, do I have to worry about any air still left in the system? And if there is air, would it register on the temperature gauge? Or would the temperature sensor just pick up the temperature of the circulating coolant, display normal temp, until the engine blows up?
How do you 'burp' the cooling system?
- Thread starter Squishy
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from everything Ive read...you leave the radiator cap and resivor cap off and run the engine for a bit.
Don't forget to turn your heat on to make sure your core is air free.
My groovy 1975 Honda Civic had a "nipple" at the highest point of the cooling system that allowed air to be evacuated via a quick, simple, easy, Nirvana-like twist of said fitting.
A wondrously delightful solution to the air evacuation quandry.
Oh how I miss that "nipple."
Coot likes "nipples."
Wonder if n i p p l e s will bypass the on-board word censor?
Start the cold engine with the rad cap off, heater on hot, and allow it to come up to operating temp. Many times I will help "burp" the upper rad hose. Add coolant or water too keep the rad topped off.
My last drain/fill, I did with the front end on jack stands, and it worked great - no air in the system after filling and no need to burp.
After either of these options, I always check the radiator and overflow levels for the next few days after a few heating/cooling cycles to make sure they're still topped off. Any air in the system should work itself out.
Thanks for all the tips. I think I'll jack up the front and run the engine for a few minutes with the cap off.
You don't have to jack it up, just part it on a grade.
Ford would probably end up misinterpreting my nipple-mail. Who knows what they'll end up sending me.
Don't really have a large grade around that I can safely park on (the only one is a two-lane road with no shoulder).
The car has a center lift point so it's easy to get it in the air.
I second surfstar. With the heat on, cap off and thermostat fully open, squeeze the top radiator hose to get all the air out.
Check level of coolant periodically in the rad and reservoir for next week in case some air works itsef out of the overflow hose.
Too late but I just fill it , put on the cap. Run it a few miles. Let it cool. Re add coolant to radiator. Might take 3 times. Never have had it fail after dozens of cars.
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