don't overtighten top rad hose bleed screws - D2 Td5...

[feraldisco]

so I thought I was doing the right thing by replacing the standard plastic bleed screw with a stainless steel one, but it seems that I have overtightened the stainless steel version and the plastic plug that has the female thread isn't bonded that well to the rubber...so when I undid the bleed screw, the plastic plug dropped into the hose and disappeared! I wasn't impressed when I removed the entire branched hose and couldn't find the plug...it wouldn't inspire confidence to be driving around with a bit of plastic in the cooling system looking for a narrow point to block...fortunately it was discovered when I undid the lower drain bolt... Now I can rest easy with new hose assembly on order and just have the hassle of getting air out of the system on refill (I normally use the JC method of just draining and flushing via the bleed screw so air in the system normally isn't a problem...)

[Marmoset]

What's the JC method? I can;t envisage filling through teh bleed screw, must take an age? No matter how methodically I bleed mine I always hear the odd burp through the heater matrix.....

[Xtreme]

What's the JC method? I can;t envisage filling through teh bleed screw, must take an age? No matter how methodically I bleed mine I always hear the odd burp through the heater matrix.....

Try raising the expansion container above the bleed screw and with all hoses still connected, fill through standard filler cap until coolant flows freely from bleed point. Refit bleed screw and expansion container, top up to correct level, run up to normal operating temp with heater fully on, check level and top up as necessary.

Works for me.

[feraldisco]

yep, works well...I run some clear plastic tubing from bleed outlet (works well until you push the female thread in...) and then run nice clean tank water into reservoir via a hose with adjustable rate nozzle (with the engine running). As soon as outlet hose runs clear (of either coolant or cleaner), you shut everything off and then add the coolant/water wetter/conditioner of your choice...

[Elsaan]

so I thought I was doing the right thing by replacing the standard plastic bleed screw with a stainless steel one, but it seems that I have overtightened the stainless steel version and the plastic plug that has the female thread isn't bonded that well to the rubber...so when I undid the bleed screw, the plastic plug dropped into the hose and disappeared! I wasn't impressed when I removed the entire branched hose and couldn't find the plug...it wouldn't inspire confidence to be driving around with a bit of plastic in the cooling system looking for a narrow point to block...fortunately it was discovered when I undid the lower drain bolt... Now I can rest easy with new hose assembly on order and just have the hassle of getting air out of the system on refill (I normally use the JC method of just draining and flushing via the bleed screw so air in the system normally isn't a problem...)


Hello, my plug fell into the hose last night, and I am in a Delema with how to get it out before the weekend. Did the plastic threaded nut come out the drain hole easily or did you have to fish around for it? Thanks for your posting!

[feraldisco]

I was very lucky that the plastic bit was waiting for me when I undid the drain plug. If it hadn't been, I guess I would have had to just undo every hose and plug and start blasting water through until it appeared somewhere. Of course if it was stuck in the block somewhere,that could have been interesting...