Chris:

A Kennedy Engineering bleeder valve is a worthwhile investment.  Before I
put in a new Boston Bob 1.9L long block, I had to bleed the cooling system
frequently.  The best way to use the bleeder valve is to attach a length of
Tygon tubing to the exit tube on the valve and extend the tubing into a used
gallon anti-freeze jug that is about one-quarter full with 50/50
antifreeze/water (a water trap).  With the bleeder valve open, air comes out
of the top of the radiator, down the tubing, and bubbles up through the
trap.  Once the air is out of the system, the trap starts filling with
coolant (because you are adding coolant in back) and that basically how you
know most of the air is out.  The remaining air will essentially self-bleed
if the cooling system is free of leaks.

Please note that my "system" involves working with hot coolant under
pressure and may present some safety hazards.  Eye and hand protection is
strongly recommended.

John
'84 7-passenger

----- Original Message -----
From: <JordanVw@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: How to - or not - bleed the cooling system

> In a message dated 2/8/06 4:53:19 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> katzd54@YAHOO.COM
> writes:
>
>
>> ah, but there may be a serendipidy here. i have found that driving with
>> the bleeder screw just barely cracked, ideally with some steep uphill
>> grades, is an easy, effective, and not too messy way to bleed the system.
>> if combined with a necessary trip(s), this is also much less energy
>> intensive than the standard procedure.
>>
>>
>
> how do you know when all the air has bled out and your starting to dump
> copious amounts of coolant? watch for the red light to start blinking and
> then find
> a place to pull over and retighten the bleeder bolt?
>
> chris
>