as I have used this technique for years.
Radiator Burp Procedure?
Thread Starter
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
Radiator Burp Procedure?
What is the proper procedure to get ALL the air out of the cooling system? Any special tricks that you guys might suggest will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Fill the overflow tank to the cold full mark.
Start the car and let it idle. Periodically squeeze the upper radiator hose with a rag around your hand. Once the hose is no longer hard, the stat has began to open and coolant is now circulating.
Have someone raise the engine rpm to about 2200 and hold it there. The coolant level in the radiator will drop. Remove radiator cap and fill with coolant all the way to the top with rpm's raised. Replace radiator cap before letting the rpms back down.
Drive the car normally. Repeat this once a day for the next several days, untill you can't add anymore coolant.
Start the car and let it idle. Periodically squeeze the upper radiator hose with a rag around your hand. Once the hose is no longer hard, the stat has began to open and coolant is now circulating.
Have someone raise the engine rpm to about 2200 and hold it there. The coolant level in the radiator will drop. Remove radiator cap and fill with coolant all the way to the top with rpm's raised. Replace radiator cap before letting the rpms back down.
Drive the car normally. Repeat this once a day for the next several days, untill you can't add anymore coolant.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,835
Likes: 30
....i fill the radiator and part of the overflow tank...start the car with the cap off....when the car heats up and t-stat opens, you'll see the coolant level drop...when it does that, raise the idle to 1500+ and add additional coolant and put the cap on tight.....before the system becomes fully pressurized, raise the idle and remove the cap, add additional coolant and "button it up"......never had a problem with this proceedure...other proceedures will work just as well....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
....i fill the radiator and part of the overflow tank...start the car with the cap off....when the car heats up and t-stat opens, you'll see the coolant level drop...when it does that, raise the idle to 1500+ and add additional coolant and put the cap on tight.....before the system becomes fully pressurized, raise the idle and remove the cap, add additional coolant and "button it up"......never had a problem with this proceedure...other proceedures will work just as well....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
All of the posts give great advice. Drilling two small (1/4') holes in the flange of the thermostat helps with the procedure. Others have also recommended raising the car up (on ramps) during the procedure. In addition, it is a good idea to turn the heat on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles, MO Route 66 Corvette Club
Here is a photo to illustrate how to drill the t'stat such that coolant burping in not needed:
I prefer to drill two holes either 3/32 or 1/8 inch in diameter into the body of the thermostat. Hope this is helpful to you.
I prefer to drill two holes either 3/32 or 1/8 inch in diameter into the body of the thermostat. Hope this is helpful to you.
