audikillsbmw

I am in the process of replacing the lost coolant in my car. One of the steps says to crack the bleeder screws on the heater core. How do I access that? Any other tips are also appreciated as well TIA

quattro2turbo

should be on a pipe near the core? under windshield wiper area

4Driver4

It bleeds where the hose meets the core. You'll see that one of the hoses has a hole in it with a white circle around it. You are supposed to loosen the clamp and let the fluid bleed out. I have not had good luck with this. I loosen the clamp and use a hose hook to unseat the hose and allow some coolant to bleed out.

audikillsbmw

1.Switch ignition on
2.Set A/C to "high" setting
3.Switch ignition off
4.Open bleed "screw" on heater core by about 2 turns
5.Fill with coolant, squeezing top hose to help force out air
6. Run engine with A.C set at high until temp gauge reads 212 degrees F
7.Switch off engine, wait 5-10 and open cap
8. Top off to MAX mark
9.Close cap
10. Run engine again. Top off tank as necessary.


Does that sound like the way you did it? Also, will the coolant drain from between the "firewalls," or do I have to put a rag there to soak it up? Thnx...

justincr250

manual tells me there is a 3rd bleeder area that I have yet to find. Mine is on a 2000 A6 Avant Q. So Id like to know the answer to this also. Mine heater warms the car when your on the gas but kicks to cool air at a stop light. Not a big deal now but come next winter I'll be getting a ear full from the better half.

audikillsbmw

Thnx for the help guys....I successfuly bled the coolant last night

justincr250

another process you followed? thanks

audikillsbmw

I filled coolant up to max level, as indicated by tank mark (which at that point was only about 2 bottles worth.)Turned on ignition,and set temp to "HI." Switched off ignition. Exposed the bleed hole on the top heater core hose next to the battery. Then I sat there and squeezed the upper rad hose to force out air, as well as the other exposed hoses. Filled reservoir as necessary to keep it above minimum. Waited until I was able to squirt coolant out of the bleed hole, then I "closed" it. Started the car, and kept it at a high idle to heat up the engine. When the gauge hit the mid-mark, I turned off the car and waited about 20 mins. When car had cooled down a lil bit, I CAREFULLY removed the cap for the reservoir. By that point, level had gone below minimum. Added another bottle, squeezed the hoses again (w/cap off,) and started the car. Kept it at high idle again, and ran it until it was warm. Shut the car off, and waited another 20 mins or so to take off cap. At that point, I only had to add another half bottle. I ran her one more time after squeezing hoses (yet again And waited another 20 minutes. When I came back, the level had not receded. I squeezed the hoses with cap off one more time to make sure that the air was gone, then closed the cap. Drove car to work today, and coolant level dropped about 1/4". Still well above the min mark. Worst case I can put some more in. I accidentally bought 4 bottles too many, so I have plenty of extra fluid if needed :P Hope that helps...

justincr250

I even went as far as fabricating a 20 oz pop bottle to fit snug into the fill cap to give me extra height above the core. I found the lower bleed hose and the upper but there is a mystery one according to my Bentley manual. I dont think its my heater core. Its nice and hot when running at 2000 RPM and above but once I hit stop light or let idle for a bit it goes to Rm temp.

audikillsbmw

And I have no idea where the third bleeder hose is. I certainly didn't use it, that's for sure...