The proper bolt has a slot on the side to allow air to escape when loosened.
The slot may be filled with rust and crud which can be cleaned. I would just
buy the proper screw and don't forget the copper washer.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Matthew Pollard
Sent: Wednesday, January 31, 2001 7:16 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: radiator bleeder bolt questions

In case it ever breaches the 40degree F temperature, i plan to stop
playing a mechanic on the intenet and be one for a few weekends...

So in the instance that i do need to bleed the
radiator, i have a question about the bleeder bolt in the upper right hand
corner of the radiator.   The last time i replaced the coolant i had to
use some asbestos finger cots (yes, really, caugh caught wheeze wheeze) to
open and close the stupid bolt because it only would bleed the coolant/air
when it was removed from the radiator. Is something wrong here? Do i have
the wrong bolt or am i just a moron?  Should i drill a down the center of
the bolt (along the major axis) and then make a small hole radially (minor
axis) about 1/2 way down the threads to encourage the air/coolant to leave
when i open the bolt without having to completly remove the bolt. Is this
a run on sentences or what? If i make a bolt, would stainless be a bad
idea? I like stainless.
THanks
Matthew
84 weekender

Matthew Pollard             http://www.uidaho.edu/~poll7356
Dept. of Chemistry               http://www.chem.uidaho.edu
University of Idaho                   http://www.uidaho.edu