Subject: Re: Procedure for Bleeding Coolant System?

Cary,

This is how I do it, I'm sure everyone has their own `secrets' as well:
- Mix your antifreeze 50/50 before you fill.
- Fill the header tank and allow the coolant to gurgle into the system.
- Walk around the van and squeeze the hoses a few time to help prime the system.
- When the tank won't take any more coolant, close the cap and pressurize to about 4-5 psi. Go slow here, the cap will bleed off any overpressure within reason. You'll notice that the fluid level in the header tank will go down. Open the cap, fluid level will rise some. - Refill the tank and repeat this procedure until the level stabilizes and you can't get anymore fluid in this way. Go to the front and bleed any air out of the top of the radiator. Repeat this as often as you get air out.
- Time to start the engine. Close the front and rear heaters (assuming you have a bypass in the system).
- Once a little warm, rev the engine and hold it to 2200-2500 rpm (a screwdriver under throttle works well). Feel the heater outlet hose, it should be getting warm/hot. Feel the heater return hose – also should be getting warm/hot.
- Pour some water on the head and use it as a guide to how hot it is. If it starts to boil (not evaporate), shut off engine and let it cool down.
- Once the heater hoses are hot, open rear heater and turn fan on `low' to be sure it is flowing coolant. Once it does, shut off the valve and open the front heater. After it blows hot, shut it off. Again I assume you have a bypass in the system – if not leave the rear heater open. 
- If it is a Tuesday, you must stand on your left foot and spin counterclockwise three times before proceeding. If it is any other day, rotate only twice. Omit this step and I can not be responsible for what will happen.
- Feel the main outlet hose to the rad. It should be getting warm/hot at this point. Check it up front as well. Your basically following the heat through the system to see where you are.
- It is now time to re-bleed the radiator. It may help to get the nose up higher. I use a single ramp on the right front wheel – about 10" will do.
- Now just watch the temperature gauge and keep feeling/squezzing hoses to help breakup any air bubbles. This is the `artsy' part. It seems all vans are somewhat different. Just watch for overheating. If in doubt, let it cool off a little and resume.
- This whole process should take 20-30 minutes. After it looks like you've bled it well, go for a test drive. Throw the van around a bit –
 seems to help move any bubbles. Re-bleed radiator and refill coolant, hookup overflow and check again in a few days. If you don't lose any coolant or have a loose hose clamp, you should be done.

Check out the Meyers Urabus site, they also have bleeding instructions. Have fun!
John
84 Westy SP