Hey Guys,
I'm here asking if anyone has information on how to properly bleed my coolant system for my 1997 2.2 5spd Sunfire. My radiator cracked and I had to swap it out and now the system doesn't seem to be cycling properly. The vehicle also appears to be leaking some fluid near the water pump but I'm unable to see where exactly. Could it be leaking from high pressure because my coolant system wasn't bleed correctly? Either way if I replace the pump or not I want to figure out how to bleed it.
Basically, I would fill it up with the valve under the air intake open and I'd fill it up in the reservoir until coolant came out. Then I'd leave the reservoir cap off and run it to normal temps. Is that correct?
I appreciate any feedback.
Thanks,
Rhett
As long as the block and radiator are full. Fill to the full line on the reservoir. Run the engine until the thermostat opens (operating temp). Fill more if needed. Find the coolant bleeder. It should be near the t-stat. If not just trace the lines until you find the little nipple. Crack the bleeder to release trapped air. Repeat until air stops coming out.
But honestly Ive never bled my coolant. I just fill it, let the tstat open, fill it again and drive around. But keep an eye on the temps. Your reservoir is the highest point in the cooling system so all air should end up there eventually. My 2200 only had one bleeder on the heater line but 97s are a different engine.
If you open that bleeder be extra careful not to twist it off putting it back together. I've done it twice...
"In Oldskool we trust"
That bleeder on my 95 sunfire is seized, and just won't turn, but I just do what Brian mentioned. Fill, drive, fill. Definitely keep coolant in the car because when it takes its first big 'sip', you'll need to refill it. (Sip is when the thermostat opens and it takes fluid into the head/block.)
