Bleeding air from coolant

[IMASA]

Hi all,

Going to do a coolant flush this weekend; well, more like a drain/fill.
I have the factory service manual, but it doesn't mention anything about how to bleed air from the coolant. It just says to do it, page 10-6.

On my old civic, there is a bleeder screw. I don't see one on the CRV. I assume I just start the car with the rad cap off, heater fans on, let the car idle until the rad fan goes on twice?

Thanks!

sl

['Curly Q Links']

The CR-V will burp itself, just coax as much coolant into the rad as you can, then when it warms and cools down it will draw more coolant from the reservoir.

Leave the rad cap alone but top up the reservoir each time the engine is cold (it will be down a bit each time).

'burp coolant' would be a good place to start searching if you want other opinions.

If you have a block heater you may have to remove it to get all the stale coolant out of the block.

[Honda4Life.]

The way I have always done it on my honda's it to fill the radiator as full as you can get it. Fill the res up so it is between the cold and hot marks. Then with the rad cap off, start the vehicle and turn the heat on high. Let it run until it is at full operationing temp. About 10-15 minutes. While it is running, squeeze the upper radiator hose. Air will bubble out where the radiator cap goes. Just top it off as needed. Then shut the car off and put the cap on.

Or you can go buy one of these. The procedure is the same with this item as I described already.

http://www.amazon.com/Lisle-24610-Sp.../dp/B001A4EAV0



You may have to put just a bit in the res. a couple days after you do the change but honestly I never have.

['Curly Q Links']

Originally Posted by Honda4Life.

......Then with the rad cap off, start the vehicle and turn the heat on high. Let it run until it is at full operating temp.

Good catch. I often forget that part, unless it's really cold outside.

[BigIslandV]

It is also a good excuse to run the snot out of your high revving Honda engine. The higher rpm driving will force the coolant (and the bubbles) out faster.

[Joe Z]

I just looked at the coolant @ the rad cap neck for the first time the other day..
Still looks pretty clean / clear after 49k miles. So I'm not going to do a drain & refill anytime soon...

I will check it again at 75k miles. If it's still clean, I will end up doing it when it's time for the new water pump. (105K miles?)

After 49K miles the reservoir coolant did get below the low mark.. So I just topped that off to the Full line..
After a day or two, I will need to add some more for sure to get it back up to the full line again..

~ Joe Z

[IMASA]

Thanks for the quick responses everyone. I'll give this a try later today.