re-filling the cooling system and the bleed valve on the rad

[markbigears]

Re-filled the system today. Looking through various old postings on this subject there seems to be different views on filling the system and that bleed valve. If you read Steve Heaths guide it makes no mention of this valve but my experience today is this. My system was empty having just replaced the water pump, so I started to fill with a 50/50 antifreeze/de-ironised water pre mixed. Got about 4 litres through the swirl tank before no more would go in. Now I didn't want to touch that bleed valve on the radiator because of the various postings on getting it to reseal, but thinking about it, the radiator is obviously filled with air and causes a back pressure that dosen't allow anymore water in. So I gently untightened the valve (hand pressure only) and immediatlely I could hear the air coming out allowing me to get the rest of the coolant in the swirl tank until it started coming out of the valve.. So my advice is, YES you do need to undo that valve for a totally air free system, aotherwise you could be fooled into thinking the system is full, when it is quite the opposite situation.

[pies]

You will need to bleed the rad after running the engine too

[ketvrin]

I bled mine that way and had no problems.. tightened Ok and no leaks


K

[jimed]

Great stuff Mark! Is it all finished/started up now?
Jim

[markbigears]

Hi Jim, Yup all up and running. Let the fans come on, cooled, then re-opened the radiator valve, did this 3 times (Cheers Colin for the tip!), Got all 10 litres in. The only small problem i've got is the fan slips just a slight bit on start up, which I suspected as the new belt went on no problem and must have been longer. So, i'll take my old one to my local unipart dealer to get the original matched up. Got all the plugs in, easy job I found, and new distributor cap and arm. Just got the oil and filter to do next weekend, so look out for a post on the subject!

Edited by markbigears on Monday 18th June 14:22