Re: [DML] Simplified cooling system bleeding after thermostat replacement

[Martin Gutkowski <webmaster@xxxx>]

Hi Knut

If you don't like the self-bleed kit idea, consider the fact that the 
radiator has one built into it already, and the Renault 30 has several 
all over the car - the DeLorean is simple by comparison.

(R30 has the same water pump, similar radiator and virtually identical 
engine)

I'm currently halfway through battling my way over 200 miles with a 
right-hand-drive DeLorean with serious head-gasket problems and split 
water hose behind the water pump. I'll try and write up a head-gasket 
job article when we do the job!

Martin
#1458
#4426

ksgrimsr wrote:

> Hi Folks,
>
> I replaced my thermostat the other day and thought I would share my 
> simplified coolant system bleeding technique that worked pretty well 
> for me. Disclaimer: this technique is only suitable for removing air 
> trapped in the waterpump area (like you would get when replacing the 
> thermostat) and is not sufficient for removing trapped air in the 
> rest of the system.
>
> In order to get the thermostat replacement job done quickly/easily, 
> I did not empty the coolant from the system and instead just put a 
> tub under the water pump to catch the spillage and made sure the cap 
> was on the header bottle tightly (to reduce the amount of coolant 
> from the bottle that would spill out). When removing the thermostat 
> cap there is obviously some coolant lost and hopefully you catch it 
> in the tub as it spills out.
>
> After reassembly, I topped off the header bottle with a suitable mix 
> of water and antifreeze, leaving the cap off the header bottle.
> Using a length of clear tubing (the "clear" part is important) you
> can use your mouth to draw out the air through the bleeder nipple on
> the thermostat housing. It's important that the tubing be clear so
> that you can tell if you're done drawing the air and are starting to
> draw coolant -- you don't inadvertently want to consume any
> antifreeze. You want some height on your end of the tube in order
> to get the best air evacuation effect (you're not trying to siphon
> anything, but rather trying to draw a low pressure). Bleeding the
> setup took about a minute.
>
> Obviously, those that have the self-bleeder kit installed don't have 
> to worry about this in the first place, but I don't use the bleeder 
> kits on my cars for philosophical reasons -- I maintain that once 
> bled thoroughly, a properly functioning setup shouldn't need it. The 
> only time I had trouble with the cooling system on either of my cars 
> was when I had the head gasket fail on my one DMC resulting in 
> gasses getting introduced into the cooling system.
>
> Hopefully someone will find this little bleeding trick helpful.
>
> Knut