Bleeding cooling system

[Oldjets]

Picture the scene - the day before (Thurs) we were due to leave for Vanwest, I was checking the van round and thought that the water pipe that runs from water pump to thermostat looked a bit rustier than last time I looked. Poked said rusty bit with a screwdriver and water started leaking out. Panic! Quick call to JK got a pipe in the post and it arrived at 8.30 the Friday morning, so full marks to them. I started the repair at 2pm Friday, pipe was no problem, but after reading all the tales of woe on the forums, I wasn't looking forward to bleeding the system. Decided that Baxters method seemed the most sensible - http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/topic29710.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - and if that didn't work, then would resort to jacking up front and general hassle that that entails.

Assembled two helpers - one on throttle, one at rad bleed screw and me at back, pouring in coolant and shouting. Van on all wheels on the drive. Followed Baxters instructions to the letter. Worked a treat! Took about 60 mins including a road test. Cleaned up, refitted front grille, let van cool down, checked level again - all normal.

Loaded up, and got to Vanwest in time for supper and a beer. Van ran like a dream and I could bask in the glow of a job well done (for a change).

So, if your system is in good shape to begin with - ie all was working before you sprang a leak, replaced pipes or whatever, then try this method first. No jacking up, but filling system, topping up and running engine to circulate and pressurise coolant must be done in strict order. Worked for me!

Thanks Baxter and Brickyard.

Oldjets
1990 Autosleeper 1.9 WBX

[toomanytoys]

Yep.... and worth doing a little bleed after a couple of weeks too, specially when its been on a good long run, get it hot (so system has plenty of pressure... and crack the rad bleed screw open....