I replaced my thermostat and got all of the hoses and wires reconnected. I poured some coolant (already mixed) into the expansion tank to about half full, turned the bleed valve on the t-stat a few times, cranked the car, set the heater to high temp and lowest fan setting but the coolant just stays in the expansion tank.

I must be missing something simple here.

My old t-stat's bleed screw *looked* like it only needed to be loosened a few turns to allow bleeding. Should I literally be taking that bleed screw out? It's hard to get to so that doesn't seem right.

Was it a mistake to partially fill the expansion tank before cranking the car?

Any help would be most appreciated.

Kevin

 

Directions per the Bentley Service Manual:

R56 Coolant System - Filling and Bleeding (without Vacuum Bleeder)
- Before filling radiator:
* swtich ignition ON - do NOT start engine
* set heater temperature control to full warm
* set blower control to low
* set set heater control (if installed) to maximum

- Start engine and run at idle speed for one mintute (coolant reservoir cap open). Adjust coolant level to MAX level, and close cap.
- Run engine until it reaches operating temperature.
- After engine has cooled, recheck coolant level.
- Top up so that coolant level is at MAX.
- If trapped air cannot be bled manually, pressure-bleed system using cooling system vacuum bleeder.

- Erik

 

Search this forum - I know I've read several threads talking about this same problem over the last six months or so...I can't that I recall any special solution other than following the steps exactly as written. Good luck!