Burping system.

[SimonT]

Thanks for the help in the boiling over thread guys. Well I have finally got a day off and I am going to tackle the Surf. I have got my new rad cap which a few of you thought could be part of the problem.
The thermostat in the Surf is one that keeps it running cooler, temp gauge just under a third, and the standard one which has the temp gauge just under half when warm as a spare. Is the cooler one okay to keep in?
I currently have the car parked on my drive with the front end at the highest point. The coolant level is just below minimum in the expansion tank, about an inch and a half or so and I can't see any in the radiator. I take it that to burp the system I should remove the old rad cap and start the car and as she is idling set both heaters to hot and turn them on to full blast and slowly top the coolant up through the rad.
Here are my really stupid questions so apologies in advance. How will I know if and when the air is out of the system and do I start topping up the coolant straight away and I take it I fill it until she is just below the expansion hose at the top of the rad and do I leave the rad cap off for a while after doing this. Do I then need to top up the expansion tank to the low level as it is just below it. Finally does taking the radiator cap off to check the level allow air to get back in the system or break the vacuum. Forgive my ignorance as a few mechanics have been leading me up the garden path and giving me contradicting information.

[stormforce]

Thanks for the help in the boiling over thread guys. Well I have finally got a day off and I am going to tackle the Surf. I have got my new rad cap which a few of you thought could be part of the problem.
The thermostat in the Surf is one that keeps it running cooler, temp gauge just under a third, and the standard one which has the temp gauge just under half when warm as a spare. Is the cooler one okay to keep in?
I currently have the car parked on my drive with the front end at the highest point. The coolant level is just below minimum in the expansion tank, about an inch and a half or so and I can't see any in the radiator. I take it that to burp the system I should remove the old rad cap and start the car and as she is idling set both heaters to hot and turn them on to full blast and slowly top the coolant up through the rad.
Here are my really stupid questions so apologies in advance. How will I know if and when the air is out of the system and do I start topping up the coolant straight away and I take it I fill it until she is just below the expansion hose at the top of the rad and do I leave the rad cap off for a while after doing this. Do I then need to top up the expansion tank to the low level as it is just below it. Finally does taking the radiator cap off to check the level allow air to get back in the system or break the vacuum. Forgive my ignorance as a few mechanics have been leading me up the garden path and giving me contradicting information.

As soon as the engine is running then start topping up the coolant.Once full put rad cap on and take surf for a good run.Allow to cool and check levels again and repeat if neccessary.Just make sure the expansion bottle is at the cold mark when you start off.Once you think all the air is out the system then leave the surf parked nose up hill and leave the rad cap off fpr a few hours just to make sure all the air is out

[hellmett]

Re

Hi,

You might find this interesting!

http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/workshop/coolant.htm

Later!

Gary

[SimonT]

Just took one of the hoses off that connects to a plastic denso part before going into bulkhead and there is no water/coolant in it. If I blow throgh it I can here bubbling and if i put the rad cap back on water/coolant comes out of the denso part it connects to. I take it this is an air lock.

[stormforce]

Just took one of the hoses off that connects to a plastic denso part before going into bulkhead and there is no water/coolant in it. If I blow throgh it I can here bubbling and if i put the rad cap back on water/coolant comes out of the denso part it connects to. I take it this is an air lock.

it sounds a bit like it.just follow the instructions given and see how it goes from there.

was the rear heater working ok before cause if not then the pipes going to the rear heater matrix may be blocked

[SimonT]

The problem originally manifested itself when I first used the heater in the rear. I have just took the rad cap off and topped the system up through that top hose that connects bon to the denso part before going into the bulkhead. I topped it up until the coolant/water reached the top of the radiator and then I put on the new cap and topped the hose up to full and fitted it back on the denso part. I am going to take it for a run now and see what happens. I have also fitted the new rad cap so fingers crossed.

Thanks, Simon.

[stormforce]

The problem originally manifested itself when I first used the heater in the rear. I have just took the rad cap off and topped the system up through that top hose that connects bon to the denso part before going into the bulkhead. I topped it up until the coolant/water reached the top of the radiator and then I put on the new cap and topped the hose up to full and fitted it back on the denso part. I am going to take it for a run now and see what happens. I have also fitted the new rad cap so fingers crossed.

Thanks, Simon.

It may well be a blockage in the rear matrix or pipes if thats when the problem 1st started.See how you go with what you have done and if the problem is still there then you will have to flush the rear pipes and matrix to check for any blockage.As a temp fix you can always bypass the rear heater till you can get it sorted properly

[SimonT]

Tried burping the system and replaced the rad cap. I went out for a run and the coolant had expanded by almost six inches in the expansion tank and the gauge went up to just below the red after about six miles. I noticed that when I stopped and turned the engine off the coolant in the expansion tank bubbled up then and not it seems while she was running. I have left the cap off overnight to see what happens. I did notice that when I had the rad cap off while burping the system is that when no bubbles were coming the water in the rad was quite still. Also on checking the temp gauge when the rad cap was off while on idle it did not move off cold.
The Surf and I are in seperate beds at the moment, the b#@ch.

[hellmett]

Tried burping the system and replaced the rad cap. I went out for a run and the coolant had expanded by almost six inches in the expansion tank and the gauge went up to just below the red after about six miles. I noticed that when I stopped and turned the engine off the coolant in the expansion tank bubbled up then and not it seems while she was running. I have left the cap off overnight to see what happens. I did notice that when I had the rad cap off while burping the system is that when no bubbles were coming the water in the rad was quite still. Also on checking the temp gauge when the rad cap was off while on idle it did not move off cold.
The Surf and I are in seperate beds at the moment, the b#@ch.

Airlocks are notoriously difficult to get out of a Surf.
I had similar problems myself, I think you should start by making sure ALL the pipes are clear and flushing it ALL through with a hose!

See my thread here:-

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ad.php?t=20582

Here:-

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ad.php?t=20482

And here:-

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ad.php?t=20379

Once all the pipes are cleaned and flushed then you stand a far better chance of burping the system.

The coolant in my system is a lovely pink colour now, no rust, dirt or gunk at all!

The heaters in the front and back almost instantly produce heat just like they are designed to do!

Good luck!

Gary

[SimonT]

Thanks for the advice I am going to drain it and give it a really good flush through. What coolant flush do you recommend.

Cheers, Simon.

[hellmett]

Re

Any branded one will do!

I personally use "Forte" or "Wynns" gear.

Make sure you buy 2 bottles/cans and leave it in while you idle the car for as long as you can to break down all the $$$$ and muck!

If your rubber pipes are "crunchy" think about replacing them.

Remove the thermostat and get a good garden hose and some jubilee clips, attach the hose to the large rubber pipe at the radiator and flush it for about 15 mins at full pressure.

Swap directions with the hose and repeat.

Remember to turn both heater switches to HOT or the water will be prevented from going down through the matrix which seems to be where most of the smelly $$$$ gathers.

Keep doing this until the water runs clear and no gunk is being spat out.

If your rear heater matrix metal pipes are blocked, which seems to be the norm with 2nd Gens, then use the method that I invented, it works a treat!

Good luck!

Gary