Quote:
Originally Posted by Occasionally6
Bleeding it once should be enough; there's either air in the system or not. The only way air can get in again is if there is a coolant leak out.
Bleeding is ideally done with the thermostat open i.e. with the engine hot enough for that to be so, and the engine running to allow any air in the system to be swept out with coolant flow.
If the thermostat has an air bleed hole - which should be at the top - then cold, engine running will be OK. Remember, it was filled cold at the factory (albeit with pressurized flow).
You might get an idea of the radiator condition by using a garden hose as a low volume flow tester. Even a visual inspection of the tubes that you can see under the filler neck can be a clue.
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In a perfect world, if you spend the money, they fill them with slight pressure and a hose hooked to the bleeder that collects the overflow for future use.
Obviously if the cost of the radiator is an issue then an expensive piece of equipment to do a job once, makes little sense and I referenced a previous experience when I had to go back to the shop to get my Riviera bled again.
It takes little effort to break the bleeder loose a few times to confirm the system has no air pocket, I call that good insurance and once done then you can just monitor the recovery bottle for any change the would indicate loss of coolant.
regards
Mech