NEW RADIATOR FILL AND BLEED

Hey guys,i just put a new radiator in my 07 tacoma and was wondering is there a consensus as to the proper way to fill and bleed the system or are there 1000 different opinions,lol?

 

Buy one of those spillproof funnel kits. Fill it and bleed it like any other vehicle. Plenty of YouTube videos to cover the topic. Done.

 

Nailed it. See this thread https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/is-a-coolant-change-really-this-hard.749096/ for what's going on with radiator flush/fill which is pretty much the same as what you are doing.
I'm trying to wrap my head around "being on an incline" since that has zero to do with air locks or not getting them in the first place.

After replacing the rad, hose and T-stat there isn't anything magic about filling the system - just remember there is zero fluid in the block so going slow on the fill, idle at normal rpm with a few hold outs 3-4 min double idle rpm, fill again, idle with cabin heat on full watching to see how fast or slow the idiot gauge rises is about all you need to do.
If you aren't getting heat in the cabin or the gauge jumps too quickly then you might have a lock, check your overflow to see where the level is at (which is what I fill last). Just repeat the steps until it finally breaks open without cooking the block.

 

i'll check into them.Yeah i watched a few on you tube and came up with 1000 different ways to do it lol,thanks!

 

So is there no need to flush out my block before i add coolant to my new rad,and thank you.

 

If it was me, I would flush a couple of times with distilled water. BTW - you will get very little coolant out to the left block drain.

$20 EPAuto Spill Proof Radiator Coolant Filling Funnel Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I40ZQWE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

ChrisFix is a good channel with basic/generic info. He presents in a way that I think most people can understand. Good 101-level education on "how to" for maintenance.

https://youtu.be/t7JCh7PHoDc?t=1034

Here's an old link with document from the Field Service Manual (FSM) going over the procedure:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/radiator-coolant-change.613078/#post-20786139

 

so just run distilled water a few times and drain from rad and don't worry about that last bit if any that's in the block?Thanks for the link.One more thing,when im flushing with the distilled water do i just run the truck long enough to get it up to proper temp and then shut truck off let cool and drain and do it again until the fluid is pretty clear?

 

You only need to flush once with distilled water if you feel the need to do it at all, not a bad idea if you're changing the radiator. If you already installed the new rad then give it time to drain.

Just let it run until the gauge pops to normal temp, not any longer. It should be clear on just one water flush.

 

Thank you,is there any need to run the heater?Does it help flush out any old fluid in the heater core?

 

Yes on the heater, No on the block. It helps to keep the T-stat from being stuck in the closed position which is why you want to run it before the final top off of fluid. Fastest way to tell if the T-stat is closed..no heat in the cabin.

 

I believe there is always flow through the heater core regardless of heater setting (there is no flow valve like there is on the 1st gens)

 

ok so my process will be to fill up the rad with water let it get up to temp then turn the heater on and let it run for a few minutes? and then redo the whole thing again until fluid is pretty clear? Thanks for the help.

 

Is that so?Thanks for your help.

 

Thanks for the link!

 

If you don't have the funnel, gently squeeze upper hose when the radiator is topped off. This brings out air bubbles. Once you close the radiator cap and start driving the truck, check coolant level every day or so for about a week to top off the coolant at the reservoir. Even with the funnel, you speed things up by squeezing the upper hose. And even with the funnel, you still end up having to top off the reservoir. At least I have.

 

You only need to flush it once. Run the water flush to temp, no need for the heater (or ac). Do that on the final fill of rad fluid.
DO NOT SQUEEZE THE RADIATOR HOSE, it will force any air into the system.

Yes. There is always flow to the block no matter the heater setting. The only reason to run the heater is to make sure the T-stat is opening/closing properly.

 

Sorry, have to disagree on the hose squeeze. Let it cool instead.

 

Thank you,i know in my haynes manual it says when cold the level should be at or just above the low line in the reservoir and then when it is hot it should be closer to the full line,sound correct?

 

ok got ya,thanks!