Coolant Bleed Points Explained

[306Puggy]

I can't get my head around the coolant bleed points. I bleed them all up, then the next time I open them there is air in there again. It's only the mid one which doesn't seem to air up. The radiator bleed point for instance, I had bled it up before but it only seems to bleed up if the tank is filled to the top. I had the engine running for 5 minutes and although there were whisps of steam coming out of the bleed point I couldn't get the water to bleed out so I had to leave it. On previous occasions I've had a similar experience with the heater matrix bleed point, although that could have been affected due to the fact it was blocked.

[kentiiboii]

Just said this in another post.
If you get a coca cola bottle and cut it In half. Screw it into the coolant tank and fill it to the top so the water level is higher than the highest bleed nipple. it will get rid of the air lock. But always make sure the water level is above .

I use to do this on my old 1.4 when head gasket was on its way.

[Dum-Dum]

Its cos those bleed points are effectively above the level of the top of the water in the expansion tank/radiator.

You either need to use the half coke bottle method or put your hand over the top of the tank and blow into the overflow tube to pressurise the system and youll bleed out the other 2 just fine.

[Ben]

I recommend a Sainsburys high juice squash bottle, fits perfectly!

[Toms306]

I still don't see why they didn't fit a proper header tank above the highest point (heater matrix pipes).

[Tom]

I still don't see why they didn't fit a proper header tank above the highest point (heater matrix pipes).

Dude its peugeot thats not how they roll! haha

[Tom]

Just for future reference, i read this shortly after failing at getting water from the heater matrix bleed point.. Cue a 2litre coke bottle i presume most 2 litre bottles would work, filled it with water opened the rad quickly stuck the bottle in the top the weight of the bottle sealed itself onto the rad, cracked open the bleeder couple of seconds water started spraying out job done

[therefused]

iv always just opened the bleed points, take the header tank cap off and just slightly rev the engine untill water comes out. isnt that the best way?

[Tom]

If water comes out then it works and that a way to do it i spose! I guess it doesnt go so well for everyone else lol

[306Puggy]

Is there actually any disadvantage to having air in the radiator? As long as the cylinder head one is clear (the middle bleed point) then it is not going to blow the gasket.

[Tom]

Yes it wont cool properly... Get that air out lol

[Jonny b]

I have always pressure bled mine its the only sure fire way to do it IMHO

[therefused]

hosepipe in the header tank and seal it with your hand

[Ricky]

I blow into the overflow pipe, whilst someone else is ready to bung the Matrix point when water comes out.

[Jonny b]

^^^ this

[Tom]

Coke bottle trick also works just aswell, they're all the same thing just different ways of doing it lol

[Ruan]

Can never get the same force behind the system with the coke bottle... Fill up, open bleed points, get a long hose, hand over rad cap, blow until no more air comes through and go through them all a few times... I've always done mine like that...

[ash240970]

I don't know what everyone's moaning about - only water came out when I tried bleeding mine - admittedly it was a shitty brown colour at first.

[306Puggy]

Can never get the same force behind the system with the coke bottle... Fill up, open bleed points, get a long hose, hand over rad cap, blow until no more air comes through and go through them all a few times... I've always done mine like that...

How do you get the water level down after that to add antifreeze to the mixture though? This is what I am stuggling with.

[CJ_Derv]

get a teaspoon and pour it down the end of the hose pipe first before you use Ruans method

[darrenjlobb]

What Ruan said, just open the bleed, put hose in the rad and make a bit of a seal with your hand, dosnt need to be perfect provided you have tap on pretty fast, water will shoot out the bleeds / clear the air then!

[Toms306]

Can never get the same force behind the system with the coke bottle... Fill up, open bleed points, get a long hose, hand over rad cap, blow until no more air comes through and go through them all a few times... I've always done mine like that...

How do you get the water level down after that to add antifreeze to the mixture though? This is what I am stuggling with.

Use ready mixed lol, doesn't cost too much on halfords trade.

[Ruan]

Lolwat?

So you end up bleeding the system with expensive coolant in?! f*ck that for a bag of chips, I just bleed it up, then drain a bit out the bottom of the radiator, then shove the coolant in... Then before starting it, just open the points again, quick blow to make sure, and all done... That way you won't waste any coolant.

[Dum-Dum]

Yeah to save on coolant I fill the rad with water, make a seal and blow to push the water round then top up with water again, seal and blow and do all the bleed points a couple of times and by this point youll be pretty much out of water in the rad, top up with coolant and you should get about 2-3l in. Pressure bleed it all again and the water near the bleed points will only be tap water so you dont loose coolant. Top up the rad again with coolant and your hunky dory.