Cooling System mash up! How do I bleed the system?

[benleessmith]

Deep breath.......

I had to change the cooling distributor/junction box on my 2.1 petrol DJ engine T25 1989. I managed that, took her for a drive today, lots of steam coming from a gasket (I think) or where the pipe from the overflow tank attaches to the next bit of metal to the rightof the alternator.

This is what I figure - my fan belt is not tight enough, squeaking on every higher rev gear change, thus not turning the water pump effectively. Add this to possible air in the cooling system/not enough water leads to hissing and overheating.

Im going to put a hose in the water tank with my hand over it and a screw off somewhere else to release the air, leading to no blockage in the cooling system. This combined with an effective fan belt should hopefully mean cooling of the engine when all back together.

Does this make sense??? Am I doing th right thing?

Where can I unscrew something at the other end (front) of the van to release the air?

I also have a tappet tapping from the previous overheat when the last fan belt went - what the hell is a tappet? How do I stop it?

Suggestions/tips/ideas/moral support much appreciated - I miss my van!!!

Ben

[psychonaut]

Ben, I'm in the middle of bleeding my system too. Check this out in the wiki, it's very helpful: -

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ing_system

And also this on Brickwerks: -

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/bleed ... 1c58d.html