Question about bleeding your Coolant...

[OptimusPrimeSr]

I came across a thread where someone gave instructions on Bleeding the CoolantBleeding the Coolant

The instructions were...

The first step is to located this little "bleeder nipple" which is located on the thermostat housing.

<picture of bleeder nipple>

You will need a ratchet with an extension and a 12mm socket. Remove the radiator cap, then loosen (but don't remove) this little "nipple". Now proceed to fill up your radiator and watch the little bleeder "nipple". At first you will probably see bubbles comming out of it but eventually it will be a steady stream of coolant. Now tighten down the "nipple" and close the radiator cap.

Now this may sound stupid, but do I do this while the car is 'on' ?

I tried it while the car was off and when I loosened the bleeder, nothing came out. I turned the car on and then noticed it dribbling a little and then I unscrewed the cap (doh!) and quickly put it back on before all the coolant came out...lol.

need a little clarification...thanks

[Ralphie]

yes it must be on.....

[wed3k]

i always do it when it is off...never had any air in my lines

[OptimusPrimeSr]

yes it must be on.....

Ralphie... I can't tell if you are just joking w/ the n00b here.

Loosened the bleeder nipple, and turned the car on...coolant started coming out of it. I then realized I had forgotten to take the radiator cap off so I did, and coolant gushed everywhere.

a) does this mean I had too much coolant in there
or
b) should I have loosened the bleeder, removed the cap, then started the car
or
c) should I have started the car, loosened the bleeder removed the cap

a little confused on order steps...please help a rookie.

[TypeG]

you can do it on or off. if you have air in the coolant, the idle will surge up and down when the car is on. you can fill it up and open the bleeder. usually you see a few tiny bubbles comming out with the coolant. later

[OptimusPrimeSr]

you can do it on or off. if you have air in the coolant, the idle will surge up and down when the car is on. you can fill it up and open the bleeder. usually you see a few tiny bubbles comming out with the coolant. later

ok, I'll give it another go in about an hour when I get off work.

basically I've been going through the checklist to find the cause of my "eratic idle". It only occurs when the car is put in park or neutral after driving for at least 20 minutes or more...surging up and dropping between 1500-1000 rpms. I believe the bubbles in the coolant may be the culprit as I don't have any check engine light, I've cleaned the IACV, FITV, EGRV.

Thanks for the help guys/gals. I will update later today/night.

[TypeG]

sometimes the internals of the FITV can go bad and not throw a CEL. also check the starting valve on the side of the intake manifold. you may have a vaccum leak also. later.

[OptimusPrimeSr]

sometimes the internals of the FITV can go bad and not throw a CEL. also check the starting valve on the side of the intake manifold. you may have a vaccum leak also. later.

can I just unbolt the Starting Valve to check it out/clean it.

as for checking for leaks, should I just spray carb cleaner around the intake and listen for rpm increases...or is there a better way?

[OptimusPrimeSr]

ok,

car off, loosened nipple (nothing came out), removed radiator cap...nipple begins to bleed a steady flow of coolant so looks like I'm good. I tightened nipple and put rad cap back on.

thanks for help.

[OptimusPrimeSr]

sometimes the internals of the FITV can go bad and not throw a CEL. also check the starting valve on the side of the intake manifold. you may have a vaccum leak also. later.

Bleeding the coolant didn't change the idle...but I tightened down the plastic-ish white thing inside the FITV and that seems to have resolved it. Need a longer/harder test drive to check.

Feels good

[Ralphie]

Well im glad you figured that out!!


No i wasnt messing with you lol....ive only done it once and it was running if i remember correctly....