Hey I am new here, and new to the 7.3, and I am changining the water pump on my 97 7.3 and the book says to bleed the system of any air. Well the book doesn't tell me where the bleeder is. I have a couple ideas where its at but wanted to ask someone on here first. Can someone shed some light on how to bleed the cooling sytem?

 

Well, first...Welcome to FTE

I do not know of a bleeder for the cooling system and I never heard mention of one. I have totally drained, changed all hoses and refilled mine without a hitch or a bleed.

Perhaps someone out there has some info that will help us all.

Good luck,

Rog

 

welcome to fte

 

Found this a while back on another site. It is supposed to be for our 7.3. Will be changing my water pump maybe later this week so will try it.

BLEEDING

1. Select max heater temp and blower motor speed setting. Position the vent selection control to discharge air through the A/C vents in the instrument panel.

2. Start the engine and allow to idle. While the engine is idling, feel for hot air at A/C vents.

3. CAUTION IF THE AIR DISCHARAGE REMAINS COOL AND THE ENGINE COOLANT TEMP GAUGE DOES NOT MOVE,THE ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL IS LOW IN THE ENGINE AND MUST BE FILLED. STOP THE ENGINE, ALLOW TO COOL AND FILL THE COOLING SYSTEM AS DESCRIBED.

Start the engine and allow to idle until normal operating temp is reached. Hot air should discharge from the A/C vents. The engine coolant temp gauge should maintain a stabilized reading in the middle of the NORMAL range and the upper radiator hose should feel hot to the touch

4. Shut the engine off and allow it to cool

5. Check the engine for coolant leaks.

 

I just changed my water pump a few weeks ago and had no problem with bleeding air from the system if you are concerned about air in the system after your water pump replacement, try running the truck to full temp with your rad cap loose but not all the way off so when the thermostat opens up and the coolant goes from the rad to the block it will push whatever air out after that tighten the rad cap and it should be good.

Best of luck and welcome to FTE!

 

good deal, thanks for the exellent info everyone.