filling the coolant system?!

[blakep82]

here's a proper stupid question...

I've never had to do it before, but recently my radiator got a small hole in it, and i need to top up the water. I thought you just took the cap off and filled the bottle on the side, but i just realised that feeds the block only, therefore theres no way to get the air out the system. well, there is that air bleed valve, but i've never come across a system like this before.

i don't know how it works...

[optima]

fill the bottle to the lower level and start the car and leave it run till hot the thermostat will open and top it up make sure all the air is out and replace air bleed screw and cap job done hope this helps

[blakep82]

cheers mate! I ended up doing something similar...
I took the bleed screw out, got a watering can full of water and filled the bottle. ran the engine until water bubbled out the air bleed, topped it up again, and put it all back together.

Its only got to keep me from running dry 'til the weekend and i can put the new/2nd hand rad i got from quary spares - $47 inc next day delivery and 3 months guarantee (which isn't much, but 3 times longer than the other breakers offered)