The Importance of Refilling & Bleeding the Cooling System After Replacing a Thermostat - Water Pump U (2023)

FAQs

Do I need to bleed cooling system after replacing thermostat? ›

After replacing a thermostat, the technician should ensure all air pockets are removed from the cooling system. Otherwise, the vehicle will be more likely to overheat.

Over time, air can become trapped within your radiators, leading to cold spots and a less-than-optimal performance from your home heating devices.

Bleeding the cooling system removes any air pockets so the cooling system can work effectively. For example, the heat may not be as warm or work at all if too much air is in the heater core, since there will be less hot coolant emitting heat for the blower motor to push into the cabin.

When you're done replacing a water pump, it's good practice to burp the cooling system to get rid of all the trapped air. Some thermostats have a small hole at 12 o'clock, and a jiggle pin which allows the air to escape (while preventing new air from getting in).

To raise your car, use a floor jack or park the car on the steep hill with the front upward. Fill Coolant:When your car is raised, fill the coolant as much as possible. If there are air bleed valves, open them simultaneously while filling the coolant. Close the valves when the coolant starts flowing out.

Burping (so named because of the noise made by the bubbles of coolant exiting the radiator filler neck) is done with the radiator cap removed on cars without a valve. You wait for the car to warm up so the thermostat opens, and then the pressure of the expanding coolant being heated drives the air out.

Yes, it is perfectly normal for water to escape when a radiator is bled. You'll likely notice some drips emerging when initially turning the bleed screw in an anti-clockwise direction. And water would pour out once the air was released, if the valve was to be opened fully.

You could risk scalding yourself with the hot air and hot water existing in the heating system. Even if you have had the heating turned off for a few hours, the radiators may not have fully cooled as the bleeding could result in the release of some very pressurised, very hot air.

It's a job that could take several hours, depending on what you drive. The first steps in removing any water pump are to let the engine cool off completely, and then drain the cooling system by either opening the radiator petcock or disconnecting the bottom radiator hose.

How long does it take for well water to clear up after replacing the pump? ›

Depending on the size and depth of the well and extent of contamination, pumping times will vary; it may take thirty minutes, or it could take several hours or days until the water runs clear.

Potential consequences of improper installation could include: Electric shock. Blowing a circuit breaker. Damaging the thermostat unit, the electrical system or even the AC/furnace unit itself.

Replacing your thermostat is a simple, inexpensive upgrade

In most cases, you can replace your thermostat without having to make any other adjustments to your HVAC system. And if you're switching from a manual thermostat to a programmable model, the upgrade will often quickly pay for itself in future energy savings.

Carefully check each radiator to ensure it has an even temperature across the whole surface area. If you do find any radiators that are cold at the top or hear any gurgling noises, it's a good indicator that there's trapped air inside and that you'll need to bleed it.

One of the most common yet serious problems that develop in the cooling system is a radiator leak. A crack or leak from the radiator can lead to significant loss of coolant or antifreeze. Without these fluids present in the cooling system, air bubbles start to develop.

How long does it take to fully bleed a radiator? ›

How long does it take to bleed a radiator? Typically, it only takes between 20 - 30 seconds to bleed a radiator. This can increase up to one minute, depending on the size of the radiator and the amount of air that needs to be bled.

Yes. During the process of bleeding radiators, air is released from within them, which in turn reduces the pressure in your boiler system. Find out everything you need to know about the radiator bleeding process in our full Advice Centre blog, How To Bleed A Radiator.

If your home has 2 floors you should begin bleeding the downstairs radiators first. It's also advisable to start with the radiator which is furthest away from the boiler. Once you've bled all the downstairs radiators you move on to the upstairs, again beginning with the radiator which is furthest from the boiler.

Check your thermostatic radiator valve

A common problem that might stop your radiator from getting hot, even after bleeding, is due to a stuck pin on your thermostatic radiator valve (TRV). You can check if this is the issue yourself by removing the cap/head on your TRV.

You don't need sealer on the pump gasket if you already put the sealer onto the pump. The gasket is good enough on the engine, you don't need to put sealer on that. It's a good idea to put it on the pump. Then it stays in place and doesn't move.

Is It Ok To Add New Coolant Without Draining The Old? There is no problem with just topping up the coolant. You can add the coolant without flushing out the old. However, with time, the older coolant becomes acidic.

It is a common practice to also replace the vehicle's thermostat when doing a water pump replacement. It is not always needed, but if you suspect that your engine got hot when the water pump failed, it's a good idea to take care of it.

Running the water into a clean bucket helps determine the amount of sediment in the water. When the water stops running, switch the pump on for approximately 30 seconds. Continue the cycle of running the pump and draining the tank until the all of the discharge water remains clear and free from sediment.

If you install a pump that has a greater capacity than the aquifer, groundwater is removed at a faster rate than the aquifer can naturally replenish itself and, over time, “dewatering” occurs. Dewatering is also caused by extended over-pumping. Over-pumping is considered to be the number one cause of well failure.

It can often take a few weeks for sediment to settle in a newly drilled well. If an old well is starting to deteriorate or deplete it can start to produce sediment as well. Sometimes well pumps will pick up that sediment and bring it to surface.

How long does it take to prime a water pump? ›

Turn the pump's power back on, and allow it to run as-is for about a minute. If you opened valves on your pump, wait until water seeps out from them before closing. Wait for your water pump to finish its cycle. If the pump turns off naturally, you've fully primed your pump.

A thermostat replacement causes air to enter the system, and getting rid of any remaining air pockets afterwards is extremely important.

If your car is overheating with a new thermostat, you could be dealing with a clog in your radiator and/or heater core, a bad water pump, a broken radiator, or any number of other coolant-related issues. The first and most important thing is not to drive your car until the issue is resolved.

Signs and symptoms of radiator airlock include: Overheating during normal driving. Heater not functioning correctly. Reduced performance.

You need to bleed the air out of the cooling system in your car. Air pockets—or hot spots—are dangerous. Besides causing little or no heat to come out from the heater, it may cause: Engine overheating.

The cooling system is recommended to be flushed out anytime the thermostat is replaced if the coolant has not been changed or flushed recently.

If your car is still overheating even after you've changed the thermostat, you're likely dealing with an issue with your radiator. It could be clogged, which would restrict the flow of coolant and cause your radiator to overheat.