I have a 2000 Cavalier with a 2200. Just replaced the thermostat and I have air trapped in the cooling system...causing overheating. Here's my problem: My bleeder screw is broken...is there any other way to bleed the system? The car also has no heat blowing inside either. Thanks for your help in advance.
Aaron
Yes you have a air still in the cooling system, U are gonna need to take off the resvior cap, Allow youre car to warm up to normal temp, U may need to rev youre car for 10-15 mins with the heater on you will feel the heat coming on. Then you will see the temp bounce lil bit, It will go to normal temp, OPnce it normal temp, Then put the can back on, 15 mins should allow all the air our of the system, Just make sure you hold the throttle for 1-2 min at a time, to allow the coolant to warm up quicker.
Good Luck.
Its already spiked all the way to 260....i really don't want to rev it for 1-2 minutes...any other suggestions? You can hear the air making all kinds of bad noises trying to move through the system....so I don't know what the hell to do.
Aaron
Never had this problem on a J. Leaving the cap off the system and letting the car run (but not letting it get tooo hot) is the best way. Is the cooling fan coming on?
FU Tuning
Yes....the cooling fan is kicking on. I've never had this problem on any GM vehicle I've ever had, and I've had alot of them. I' ve also tried running the car with the cap off and it makes no difference at all. I almost thought that the new thermostat was defective, because I had no heat and its still overheating...so I thought maybe the new thermostat wasn't opening...so I bought another one and its still the same deal. This whole thing really confuses me.
Aaron
Do you know how to use a drill? Take a small bit and carefully drill into the broken bleeder screw and tap it.
You have to have it running to get the air out of it. Also there is no need to rev it either. I never use the bleeder on my 2200 and my 2.4 doesn't have one. Fill the reservoir to the top with the car off but make sure also to no fill it up to the overflow hole either. Basically just to the bottom of where the cap would first seal. Keep doing it till you stop seeing air bubbles or air coming out.
Start the car and turn the heat on, put it on vent and turn the fan on high or what ever. Let it idle with the cap off and watch the temps. While checking to see if it needs more coolant. If so just keep filling it to the top to get all the air out or gain heat. Once no more air is coming out put the cap on in which i doesn't matter if it is to full at the moment.
Take it for a spin up the road and back getting it to temp. Shut if off and let cool for like 5 mins and check the level to see if it is low. Top it off and your good to go.
As I have seen with these newer car and truck have the same cooling systems are common to have the gauge read that, Long as you check the rad hoses that arent getting too hot youre safe. At times while allowing to burp the cooling system. Its common for some to think oh no my motor is going to blow a hd gasket, Believe me it isnt going to blow anything. Just make sure u have the correct mixture for 70-75% coolant and 25-30% distilled water, I throttle the gas peddle to get the air bubbles out quicker, Also having the heater helps disperses the heat as well. Its a common rule of thumb, Air in a system makes a reading faulty, Just like air in hydrualic brake system, Faulty braking pressure.
Also was the thermostat installed correctly The spring part in the motor part?.
GoodLuck.
I tried bleeding the air out filed the overflow tank everyone the coolant level went down then after like 25 mins it didn't need anymore coolant.. I had heat and the car was running a normal temp for a few days then all off a sudden the heat got cold again and the car started to overheat any ideas?
