Bleeding Air out of Satellite Cooling System

[696969]

Would anyone like to share an effective procedure for bleeding the air out of my coolant?

I just installed a new thermostat and in the process some air got into the system. The car runs cool, but spikes at certain times, especially after warmed up and stationary, such as at a light. Then it may go back down.

I seemed to have gotten SOME of this air out simply by running the engine at mid RPM for several minutes with the rad cap off,
but I don't think I got it all.

I also purchased a Stant Lev r vent cap today, in the hopes that maybe I could use it in the bleeding process. I understand that if you get the car hot, go up a hill and then release the valve on the cap, this will release a lot of the air at this upward angle. I don't know if this is true, but I seem to be reading about people doing it with mixed results.

Thanks in advance!

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PS. I do not have a coolant overflow tank. Only a overflow tube that points at the ground. Was an overflow tank standard equipment for all B Bodies?

 

[Ragman]

I am no cooling system expert. I installed an over flow tank (not stock) and my '66 Charger, 361 block. Then back flushed the block and radiator. Filled with anti freeze and ran the car 'till it heated up. added more fluid and did that several times. Half filled the overflow tank and drove the car as usual. a couple of small top offs and have driven for about 500 miles and every thing is fine and heats up to about 185 and stays there. I use a 13lb. cap.

It seems the over flow tank helps 'till the system settles down.

If everything else is ok, meaning a collapsing bottom hose or leaking head gasket ect., thats all that was needed I my case.

Rag

 

[440roadrunner]

I have NEVER had a problem with air, here's what I do:

1--- Get a good quality stat. YOUR STAT may be sticking. Drill a 1/8" vent hole in it if it does not have one

2-- Remove the highest heater hose or plug that you can that is still UNDER the stat. Fill until coolant "comes up" to the plug or hose fitting, then stick the hose on there.

If you run a heater, you can then carefully "dip" the hose down to start a flow, bring it back up and hook ONE side of the heater up. The other heater hose can be hooked to the engine, "propped up" and open.


Continue to fill, on some cars, the heater core is below the cap, especially if you jack the front crossmember a little. If you cannot get coolant out of the heater, just fill till the top tank is nearly full, "dip" the last heater hose to start a flow, and bring it back up to the core.

Doing it this way, I've not even had to "top off" afterwards.

When firing up, set the heater for "all on" and watch the heater hoses for heating, as they generally heat up FIRST. Also feel the ENDS of the cylinder heads front and rear. If you see heating there but nothing in the heater hoses, nor flow in the heater, YOU HAVE a problem.

MY BET is you have a sticky, poor quality stat. Someone on here posted I believe it was Milodon?? They believed had good quality stats. NAPA nowadays is as bad as O'Reallys and the rest of the Chineseo box stores.

 

[AR67GTX]

I would second the sticking thermostat. These Mopar cooling systems don't have a problem with entrapped air that I've ever heard of or experienced.

I also second the comment on NAPA. I use to think they were tops 10 years ago. Not any more.

 

[tpodwdog]

I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH AIR IN THE SYSTEM EITHER.....heres what i do..........

1. i take off the freekin radiator cap and fill it with antifreeze and water
2. put the cap back on.

 

[MarPar]

I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH AIR IN THE SYSTEM EITHER.....heres what i do..........

1. i take off the freekin radiator cap and fill it with antifreeze and water
2. put the cap back on.

:jerk: naw, tell us what you really do, D....

 

[Jeremiah]

My hotrod Charger sits pretty low in the front and will trap air in the system if I do not jack up the front of the car when I fill it and during initial fire up.

 

[Dennis H]

68 did not have a tank and does not need one. Leave 2 inches to top at cap and it will not purge. I have had no problems with a 180 Napa Superstat, no holes drilled. Get a two-eared factory type cap.