>
> So again I ask, if the engine is cold, the thermostat closed, how can
> coolant flow through the front radiator to move air bubbles to the bleeder
> screw?????

In my limited experience, it doesn't.  The car has to be warmed up for the
coolant to flow to the radiator.  Only after the t-stat opens and flow
starts to the radiator have I been able to bleed the rad.  I could take the
whole bleeder screw out on the radiator and get maybe a trickle before the
t-stat opened, but when it does, it is like a gusher!

I have driven the front of my van onto jack stands, warmed it up, and then
cracked the bleed screw...Got the arir out with minimal mess and effort.
(heater cores open of course)

>
> tx,
> bmc  :)
> "Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."
>
>
> > From: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
> > Reply-To: mark drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
> > Date: Tue, 12 Mar 2002 07:41:16 -0800
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Re: Bleeding the front radiator
> >
> > If this was so, I would wonder why so many thermostats have a tiny bleed
> > hole. Not much point if they are never closed on any car.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> > Ben huot wrote:
> >>
> >> The thermostat is never completely close on any car or van, it is open
or
> >> partially close (about 75 % close). Even if it looks completely close,
it
> >> is not.
> >>
> >> On most cars if it was fully close the pump would have a hard time and
the
> >> engine would overheat, even in winter condition.
> >>
> >> Regards, Ben
> >
>