2003 mini cooper S. 95k miles.
This is my first time flushing the coolant system. I drained it, hooked everything back up, but now the system won't bleed. I tried putting coolant in the bleed screw hole, and the coolant flows into the reservoir, but won't flow out. What am I missing?

Additional note: I replaced the reservoir because it was cracked.

 

Are you turning on the motor to bleed it? I've done this a couple of times but never had this kind of problem. Is there any chance that the opening on the new reservoir is blocked?

 

I did turn on the engine, and the heater. The lower bleed screw by the thermostat housing would bleed with the engine off and drain the tank level, but nothing would come out with the engine on. And the top bleed screw, by the radiator, nothing would come out of it. I'm so puzzled. I did drive my car around some tonight with no overheating, I'll check it again tomorrow and try to bleed it again.

 

you need the car hot enough. Just leave it open and let the car run for alittle and keep an eye on it.

 

Each time I've done it on mine, I turn the engine on for a bit, shut if off and open the top bleeder and repeat it until coolant comes out. Done it 3 times so far from removing the rad and never had issues.

 

Follow our DIY here, which should help you with the bleed process. Bleeding starts at about the 9th paragraph from the bottom.

 

This is the guide I followed when changing it. I did finally get it bled, however.
I think there was an air bubble trapped in the system somewhere and driving it a short distance removed it. Thanks for the help!

 

Most likely its was trapped air in the system, did you bleed it gain after the shirt drive ?

Great info here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nt-system.html

 

Yes. After the drive is when it finally bled properly and fully.

 

Wonderful. Glad everything is A-OK. You're very welcome.

 

That's great, let me know if you need anything else