bleeding water system

[LYNCHSTAR]

Ive never had this problem before and im getting very anoid.
last year i diconected my heater matrix pipes cause i only use it in summer and wanted to move the header tank behind the bulk head to reduce pipe work so i just had water going to engine and back. now ive tried to conect the pipes and swirl pot back so i can have heating for winter can i hell bleed it propperly done it like ive always done before the gauge go way over and fan dont kick in when i take cap of it boils over and goes back into engine when cars turned off. can any one help have they had this problem.

also whats the difference between the blue and brown caps for the exspansion tank.

[chris]

How are you trying to bleed it

[LYNCHSTAR]

ive opend both bleed nipples and blown hard down the tank till water sprays out them.

[chris]

Just lift header tank up when its full as high as you can with nipples open should bleed then try that

[LYNCHSTAR]

ill have to try that in morning. is there any difference in the brown and blue header tank caps mines brown.

[LYNCHSTAR]

just had a go at lifting the tank but no joy i wont lift to high. bloody air lock

[fossie]

Did you bleed them one at a time?

[LYNCHSTAR]

i did them one a time no luck then did them both at the same time.

[Flight666]

The best method I have ever used on my 5 for bleeding the system is to use an old expansion cap drill a hole in the top that is a snug fit for the valve from a cycle inner tube,cut off the valve and super glue it in the hole.Fit cap onto expansion tank pump up with a hand pump till top hose feels hard then undoe each bleed screw in turn quick rush of air until the coolant squirts out,takes 30seconds to do and works a treat saves faffing around especially if you are on your own doing the job, and you know its bled properly..

[fossie]

I did mine 2 weeks ago. I filled the system. Lifted the header tank up a bit and squeezed the pipes a few times. I then formed a tight seal around the expansion tank and blew as hard as I could then got a mate to do one screw at a time.

Been fine since. No overheating and fan works as it should

[robx1r]

have you set the heater matrix to hot?

[LYNCHSTAR]

just checked matrix and it is on hot.

[old skool turbo power]

just checked matrix and it is on hot.

all the systems are the same and nothing diffrent.there is 2 ways the one with the tank as high as possible or blow into to esp tank.both ways work and even with the tank as high as possible you can do it on your own.
1.turn the heaters onto cold then fill up the tank (up to the top)with the tank still in normal postion.
2.blow into the tank mouth(one blow)
3.have your mate screw up the 1st bleed nipple up untill the water runs clear(no air bubbles) let plenty of water come out the nipple aslo.
4.repeat what you have just done for the 2nd nipple.
5.turn the heater onto hot,start engine and let it run on idle takes about 5ish mins to get up to temp and WAIT for the fan to kick in (normally 2nd guage)was on mine.

make sure you have plenty of water in the esp tank also.
if the fan dosent kick in then the ran fan switch needs changing,even if there was air still in the system then the fan will kick in just higher than normal.
you can blow into the esp tank a few times if you want to be very sure no air is in the system,i normally did.
when done switch engine off and squeese top hose and should feel normal not spongy,then air is still in system.
takes about 3mins or so to bleed

[fossie]

Quick question. How high should the level be in the expansion tank?

[old skool turbo power]

Quick question. How high should the level be in the expansion tank?

there is 2 marks on the tank one min and one max.when bleeding it dont matter some water will be lost anyway.after the cooling system is done let it cool down for bout hr then fill to max.

[fossie]

there is 2 marks on the tank one min and one max.when bleeding it dont matter some water will be lost anyway.after the cooling system is done let it cool down for bout hr then fill to max.

Cheers buddy. Can't see any marks on the tank. Is max about half way?

[Tony Walker]

sometimes if the matrix is empty its very difficult to bleed it, so take a hose off and pour water through it untill the pipes full then connect up quickly trying not to loose any water and try bleeding as normal after that.

[Brigsy]

have you set the heater matrix to hot?

Makes no difference if its on hot or cold as its only a flap on the heater box. Id try filling up the matrix first and reconnect hoses. Bleed as normal until all the air comes out the bleed nipples. Don't let the water go below the minimum mark when bleeding.

[old skool turbo power]

Cheers buddy. Can't see any marks on the tank. Is max about half way?

here is a pic mate this is where the max mark is.you will have a hose coming from the de- gassing unit above the rad that goes into the tank and the max mark is about 10mmbellow the pipe if you cant see it
but like the others said if you have had the matrix out might take longer than usuall.
max mark in red circle


.

[fossie]

Hey Brigsy where is the max level on the expansion tank. Mines pants and can't see it

[Penfold aka The Dealer]

Hey Brigsy where is the max level on the expansion tank. Mines pants and can't see it

I have a nice 2nd hand one Aswell a brake fluid resivor for sale... £30 delivered (both hardly used and would clean up mint and easily)

[fossie]

I have a nice 2nd hand one Aswell a brake fluid resivor for sale... £30 delivered (both hardly used and would clean up mint and easily)

Think I have a nice shiny aluminium tank reservoir on mine buddy
How much for the expansion tank?

[fossie]

here is a pic mate this is where the max mark is.you will have a hose coming from the de- gassing unit above the rad that goes into the tank and the max mark is about 10mmbellow the pipe if you cant see it
but like the others said if you have had the matrix out might take longer than usuall.
max mark in red circle


.

Mm why does mine seem different to that one........ Sure mines shorter and fatter lol

[rs250nut]

Drill a small 1/16 hole in the top of the thermostat, this helps to bleed it up quicker.

[old skool turbo power]

Mm why does mine seem different to that one........ Sure mines shorter and fatter lol

id guess you have this one then then chrome one.lol i never understand on why ppl would like a chrome esp tank,as the water gets hot in the tank then sure it would be very very hot so your defeating the point of the object......plus as they say chrome wont get you home and how do you know how much water you have in the tank if you cant see the level......not one for me im afrade no chrome

[fossie]

id guess you have this one then then chrome one.lol i never understand on why ppl would like a chrome esp tank,as the water gets hot in the tank then sure it would be very very hot so your defeating the point of the object......plus as they say chrome wont get you home and how do you know how much water you have in the tank if you cant see the level......not one for me im afrade no chrome

I meant the brake reservoir lol

My expansion tank is normal plastic but appears different to the in the picture earlier in the thread

[Gttnutter]

Sounds like you have a phase 1 bottle. Short and flat.

I'd do as above and pull a heater matrix hose off and get some coolant mix down there

[Penfold aka The Dealer]

You don't have to worry about holding it up high... Just put your mouth on the bottle and forn a tight seal with your face and blow... Don't take much effort... Easy enough to do

[juha5gtt]

New poster! (less than 10 posts)

Here is some picture

[fossie]

Sounds like you have a phase 1 bottle. Short and flat.

I'd do as above and pull a heater matrix hose off and get some coolant mix down there

Yes buddy mine is a ph1. Where's the max mark on a ph 1 bottle?

[LYNCHSTAR]

Sorted now guys cheers

[fossie]

Sorted now guys cheers

What did you do buddy

[LYNCHSTAR]

went to scrap yard got a bottle cap drilled a hole in it and stuck a valve in put it on tank and pumped the air round.