hi.
you could say which if the 3 possible vanagon water-cooled cooling systems
you are talking about,
diesel, 1.9 wbxr or 2.1 wbxr ..
but the basic answer is,.....add coolant to the pressure bottle until it
won't take any  more.

then start engine ...keep adding as it will take it , no big deal.

on my initial runs. that's all I worry about ...add coolant with engine
idling until the pressure bottle won't take any more.

then I fiddle with overflow bottle , fill that to the bottom of the cap
opening, if you have a wbxr type ...
then later, maybe bleed at the radiator.
if you just keep adding to the pressure bottle for about 5 warm up-cool down
cycles...
it'll be pretty well bled. That's like a hour between warmed up and shut
off, .....an hour or so later, if there's an air space at the top of the
pressure bottle, top that up. Repeat, for days even if it wants it.

also ..important - heater valves open.
a very good test is that defroster works well.
often you have to give it 1,500 or so rpm for 40 seconds to get warm coolant
up there the first time...
Do that as soon as it's idling and won't take any more coolant.

but do the above, and you'll be fine.
and eventually, do the official radiator bleed if you want.

Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "B Feddish" <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, June 04, 2010 12:57 PM
Subject: Radiator in- replacing coolant question

> OK, the radiator is in. Both coolant bottles in the back are still full so
> when do I add the replacement coolant?  Do I start it up and let the
> overflow bottle empty out?
>
> Thanks,
> Bryan