Air in cooling system

Escape055 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 10:51 AM

I got home last night and Escape was leaking antifreeze "BAD". The water pump hose had a hole in it. I change the hose and now I am worried I have air in the system and water may not be circulating good. I filled the reservoir and started the engine. Engine temp came up but heater was not working. I pulled the top radiator hose off and poured anitfreeze into it. Now the heater works and the temp gauge goes to the normal operating temp but the thing has still not sucked any antifreeze from the reservoir. I lost about 1 1/2 gallons and have only added back 1/2 gallon. I am worried it may have air in the system and the coolant on the temp sendign unit is reading fine but other parts of the engine may not be coolant at all. I did not drive it until I can check it out further. Any advice? How to get the air out? Or am I wooried for nothing since the heater works and gauge reads fine?

Escape055 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 04:28 PM

Finally decided to drive it. All hoses are hot and heat is working but still hasn't taken any from the reservoir. Guess everything is fine though. Drove it for about one hour and didn't lock up.

Rangerman Stan · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 05:23 PM

After you shut it off, wait till it cools down all the way, then take the radiator cap off to check the coolant level. If you need to add some, just fill it till it's about an inch below the cap. Then you could check it again the same way after you drive it or run it and it should be good. Even though you put coolant in the overflow tank, the system won't always take it in. They kind of have a mind of their own and will use it only when it needs it. Just leave the extra in the tank and it should be ok. Hopefully your system will perge itself better than some of the eariler trucks and no air will be trapped up by the heater core. Keeping the system full of fluid will help possibly push some of the air over toward the radiator where it can be relieved.

pacrewchief · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2008, 06:41 AM

Replaced the water pump in my 2001 two nights ago, it takes a while for it to burp. I would start it, leave it run until the fans started in hight speed and shut it off. It took a few cycles but it eventually sucked in what it needed. Drove it to work and back, double checked the level in the overflow box and all is well. You have to be patient with these. Good luck.