How do you bleed the cooling system?
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
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From: Stuttgart, Ar
Not meaning to hijack but I am interested in this as well. I too am getting ready to do a flush and would like to know if anyone has the procedure for bleeding the ststem and is this "special tool" necessary? I don't trust the local dealers to do my work. Pretty sure they would half-a$$ it and also use tap water. Any help is appreciated!!
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 821
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From: Nashville
OK, I have the VC-9 circulating at 1175 RPM (bricks on pedal LOL). I read where some folks say it's better to drive it at highway speed. Do you think I should?
On edit: WTH, I'm going for a ride.
On edit: WTH, I'm going for a ride.
Senior User
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Bleeding just isn't necessary. You don't even have to pull the thermostat but its a lot quicker if you do. I use tap water for all the flushing except for the last 12 gallons which are distilled, but the tap water runs out clear before I start with distilled, and my tap water is quite excellent. If you have crappy tap water then use all distilled--about 16-20 gallons.
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Joined: May 2009
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Thanks for the help!! I just wanted to make sure it wasn't going to trap air in the system or anything like that. Think I'll try to tackle it next weekend. Also,I'm only flushing to replace my coolant,not because of contamination of any kind. My ECT,EOT differential is good and my coolant looks as clean and clear as it did when it was new. Do you think it would be a good idea to use the vc-9 or can I bypass that step and just flush a few times with distilled and put new coolant in? Thanks in advance!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Nashville
with one of these....
RADKITPLUSA, Vacuum/Filler, Cooling System
RADKITPLUSA, Vacuum/Filler, Cooling System
, where does it hook up?
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,123
Likes: 35
From: N. Fort Worth, tx
to an air hose. but I think you want to know how it hooks to the truck....
it hooks into the degas bottle and pulls a vacuum 25in hg on the system. works great.
IMO not the mosty practical tool for the once a year dyi guy's. but thats what I use daily.
when doing this at home make sure to run the heater when filling the cooling system. when the air out of the ducts is warm you have normally removed the air from the heater core.
it hooks into the degas bottle and pulls a vacuum 25in hg on the system. works great.
IMO not the mosty practical tool for the once a year dyi guy's. but thats what I use daily.
when doing this at home make sure to run the heater when filling the cooling system. when the air out of the ducts is warm you have normally removed the air from the heater core.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 821
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From: Nashville
I had the heater on while running the VC-9 and will leave it on. Should I mess with the heater core backflush you think?
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: N. Fort Worth, tx
JUst an fyi a new heater core is something like $85.00 and takes about 30 min to install.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
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Thanks for the help. Think I'll do it just to be safe!!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 998
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From: Tennessee
My Ford Premium Gold coolant was only a year old and I decided to do the VC9. The coolant looked new when I drained it. After running the VC9 with distilled water, I drained it again and it was coal black. Better use the VC9. I used 48 gallons of distilled water [12 flushes], refilled with 3.4 gallons of Ford Premium Gold coolant, topped off with distilled water and when tested it still shows over a 50% content of coolant vs distilled water. I pulled the drivers side drain plug on each flush. This tells me it is almost impossible to get all of the old coolant out. I had also disconnected the lower radiator hose several times. I did not pull the thermostat or the passenger side drain plug.
Last edited by Tennesseepowerstroke; Oct 4, 2010 at 09:48 AM. Reason: spelling
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My Ford Premium Gold coolant was only a year old and I decided to do the VC9. The coolant looked new when I drained it. After running the VC9 with distilled water, I drained it again and it was coal black. Better use the VC9. I used 48 gallons of distilled water [12 flushes], refilled with 3.4 gallons of Ford Premium Gold coolant, topped off with distilled water and when tested it still shows over a 50% content of coolant vs distilled water. I pulled the drivers side drain plug on each flush. This tells me it is almost impossible to get all of the old coolant out. I had also disconnected the lower radiator hose several times. I did not pull the thermostat or the passenger side drain plug.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Nashville
The job goes quicker if you remove the thermostat because you don't have to wait for it to warm up, plus you can drain it right away without getting scalded because the flush water never gets hotter than about 125 F or so.
I pulled everything but RH block plug and also observed about 3 to 4 quarts left in the system each time.
I pulled everything but RH block plug and also observed about 3 to 4 quarts left in the system each time.