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Coolant bleed q'S???

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    Coolant bleed q'S???

    1990' 325i

    Im still having some issues. At traffic lights once the car is warmed up with the heat on or at idle in general the air blows cold. Once the car is moving the air gets hot again. I was told this could be due to air in the cooling system. I recently replaced my radiator, thermostat, and fan clutch and bled the cooling system. Last winter before all this was replaced my heat worked even at idle.

    This is the procedure I used below. I have a few questions!


    1) Using ramps or a jack get the front of the car 1' or more higher than
    the rear. That will make the radiator and bleed screw the highest point
    on the engine and facilitate removal of air.

    2) With the bleed screw open, add coolant until no more air comes out of
    the bleed.

    3) Leave the filler cap off, or at least loose, and set the heat for max
    temp and fan speed. Leaving the cap loose will prevent air that's still
    in the system from causing a "coolant fountain" once the engine heats
    up. Start the engine and allow it to warm up to operating temp. As it
    warms up occasionally crack the bleed screw to release any air and top
    up the coolant as necessary.

    The filler cap you mention is the coolant overflow cap right?

    4) Once the engine is at temp bring it up to 2000-2500 for a few seconds
    several times. Then crack the bleed until no more air is released. At
    this point the heater should be throwing lots of hot air, which
    indicates that the heater core is filled with coolant. You may have to
    repeat this a few times to get all the air out.

    So I crack the bleed screw on the thermostat while the car is running correct?

    5) Drive the car a bit, allow it to cool back down, and recheck the
    bleed for air. Over the next few days you may get very small amounts (a
    few bubbles) of air out of the bleed screw.

    I did this procedure before when I replaced those parts. It seemed to work then. The cold air is just alot more noticeable now that theres a wind chill of 14 here at night. When I bled it before, straight coolant was coming out of the bleed screw hole when I was done. the car does not overheat, the needle sits just below 1/2 way!

    Any ideas so I can get my heat back?

    #2
    It does sound like you still might have air in the cooling system. Have you tried bleeding the system again?
    The filler cap you mention is the coolant overflow cap right?
    Yes
    So I crack the bleed screw on the thermostat while the car is running correct?
    Yes
    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

    Comment


      #3
      I bled it twice using that procedure. After the second time I didnt notice if the heat was working or not because I wasnt relying on it everyday like I am now.

      I will bleed it again this weekend!

      Comment


        #4
        Im having the same problem here, straight cold air when i stop, however i've been having trouble bleeding the system i just keep getting more and more air every time a crack the bleeder
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        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by nomansland92 View Post
          Im having the same problem here, straight cold air when i stop, however i've been having trouble bleeding the system i just keep getting more and more air every time a crack the bleeder
          Keep bleeding it, sometimes it can take several times to get all the air out. I know from experience.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by nomansland92 View Post
            Im having the same problem here, straight cold air when i stop, however i've been having trouble bleeding the system i just keep getting more and more air every time a crack the bleeder
            If you are using the procedure above and get a significant amount of air out of the system each time you bleed it, you have a head gasket leak that is pumping air into the cooling system.
            The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
            Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

            Comment


              #7
              you see im not getting much air out at all. Even efter I replaced thermostat, radiator, fan clutch I never noticed much/any air. Is it bubbles in the coolant im looking for or actual air coming out instead of the coolant?

              I have a steady stream of coolant coming out of my bleed screw

              Comment


                #8
                Once the system is fully bled, you'll only get coolant out of the bleed screw.
                The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
                Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

                Comment

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