Bill,

The valve in the engine compartment is plastic and only needs to be turned
by hand (it's on top of the thermostat housing)

The bolt on top of the radiator does not come off, a 13 mm wrench does the
trick.  You only need to turn it a few turns, the bolt is grooved which
allows air to escape.  You will get bubbly coolant until the air is out then
it flows like a leak.  Then tighten the bolt.  I would **not** recommend
pliers, you round the head and you'll never get it tight enough. (you have
to take the grill off to do this)

Jere
90 GL/Carat-a-version
88 GL
87 Wolfy
69 MB 220D

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Bill H.
Sent: Monday, September 27, 2004 12:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Getting air out of the coolant system

I had to open the coolant lines (88 GL) to put a new gasket on my oil cooler
(a nightmare in itself) which required opening some of the coolant lines,
and
I'm now ready to get the air out of the coolant system. I've read the
Bentley
procedure and found the two breather valves. My questions are 1) how do you
turn the valve in the engine compartment and 2) do you just turn the valve
(bolt) on the radiator a turn or two or does it come completely off? The
valve in the engine compartment can't be managed with a screwdriver or a
socket wrench so do you just grab it with a pair of pliers or is there an
easier way? Thank as usual.

Bill H.
88 GL

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