What's up NAM? So, I did somethin really stupid the other day and I need some help. My car has been leakin coolant from the thermostat housing for some time now and while filling the reservoir the other day I accidentally forgot to put the cap back on and drove about 7 miles home from work on the highway. There was coolant everywhere and the reservoir was drained but did not overheat. Lots of air in the lines now. Can I refill and bleed the system safely until the thermostat housing gets replaced in a few days? I'm nervous to drive it now but I need to be able to drive it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Refill the rservoir to 2/3, massage the top to bottom rad. hose until no more air into the tank, and you should be fine.

 

There is a bleeder valve on the thermostat housing, but it is hard to find. It is a plastic hex-head screw that has a recessed 'X' in the top of it. If you get a good flashlight, and look down between the edge of the valve cover and the air intake hose, you should be able to find it. I've seen pictures here before, if you search for 'thermostat replacement' you can find threads that may have a picture. If you can find the screw, open it about 2 turns with the engine running. You should see some coolant and air coming out. Be careful not to unscrew it too much, or the screw will drop out (supposedly it comes out after 4 turns).

Like the other response, fill up the reservoir and play with the hoses a bit. If you have time to start the car, let it warm up, and then let it cool down, that may help as well.

Have fun,
Mike

 

I figured it out, thanks guys! I just didn't know if tryin to bleed the coolant would be irrelevant or dangerous due to the thermostat housing leak. That stupid housing is costing me too much money in coolant. I'll hopefully be rid of that problem this week.