Cooling System - Bleeding Procedure

NOTE: This procedure should be followed after any cooling system component has been replaced or removed and installed.

NOTE: It Is essential that coolant does not contact the accessory drive belt or pulleys. If coolant contacts the accessory drive belt or drive pulleys, flush them with clean water.

WARNING: When installing drain hose to air bleed valve on thermostat housing, route hose away from accessory drive belt, accessory drive pulleys, and electric cooling fan.

Fig. 24 Air Bleed Valve On Thermostat Housing:

COOLING SYSTEM BLEEDING PROCEDURE
1. Attach one end of a 6.35 mm (.250 in.) ID hose that is approximately 1219 mm (48 in.) long,to the bleed valve on the thermostat housing. Route the hose away from the accessory drive belt and pulleys. Place the other end of the hose into a clean container. The hose will prevent coolant from contacting the accessory drive belt and drive pulleys.
2. Open bleed valve.
3. Slowly fill coolant pressure bottle until a steady stream of coolant flows from hose attached to the bleed valve.
4. Close bleed valve and continue filling to the full mark of the coolant pressure bottle. The fill mark is the top of the post inside the bottle.
5. Install cap tightly on coolant pressure bottle.
6. Remove hose from bleed valve.
7. Start and run engine until the upper radiator hose is warm to the touch.
8. Turn engine off.
9. Reattach drain hose to bleed valve on thermostat housing. Route hose away from the accessory drive belt, accessory drive pulleys, and electric cooling fan.
10. Open bleed valve until a steady stream of coolant flows from the hose.
11. Close bleed valve and remove hose.
12. Ensure that coolant pressure bottle is at or slightly above the full mark at the top of the post inside the coolant pressure bottle. The full mark on the coolant pressure bottle is the correct coolant level for a cold engine. A hot engine will normally have a coolant level higher than the full mark.