Knowing how to burp your coolant in your cooling system is essential for every car owner and enthusiast. It will help you get your coolants circulating correctly and prevent problems like overheating.
How long does it take to burp the coolant? Well, the answer isn’t definite. It depends on what method you use to burp the system. Generally, it should take less time, as you can complete the process within 15 to 30 minutes.
During the entire functioning of the cooling system, it can accumulate air over time, damaging the overall engine performance.
How Long Does It Take to Burp The Coolant?
Burping the cooling system of your vehicle should take just a short time. You should be done with the process in between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the technique you use in the process. When it comes to the cooling system, the word burping refers to the fluid’s sound when getting air out of the radiator, coolant reservoir, and other parts of the cooling system.
You need to know how to carry out the burping process, which must be done regularly, significantly when you change parts of the cooling system or encounter a problem with the system.
How to Burp Coolant System (Steps)
After changing parts of the cooling system like the water pump, thermostat, and more, and you add coolants, you may need to let out the air pressure that may have built up. You may either need to burp or bleed the cooling system, to remove this air pressure.
Whenever you refill the cooling system, the engine is not filled up entirely due to the air pressure gathered in the system. It will stop the cooling fluid from circulating correctly. You need to know how to burp the coolant system to get rid of the air.
Below are steps on how to burp coolant system.
1. Locate the cap of the radiator
The first step to burp your cooling system is to locate the radiator cap right on the radiator. Some vehicles come with a different tank where you pour the coolant, called the reservoir.
2. Add coolant if not filled up
Examine the coolant in the reservoir or radiator, as the case may be; if it is not filled appropriately to the recommended extent, top it up with some new coolant.
In some vehicles, the burping process is less tedious. All you have to do is pour the coolant and start the car. After like 10 minutes, the thermostat would let out all the air. Top up the coolant again, and you are good to go. However, this is only the case for some vehicles.
3. Let out any excess air by squeezing the radiator hose
You will need to squeeze the upper part to get the air out of the radiator hose. It will eliminate the air pocket located in the hose and other components.
4. Locate Bleeder Screw
Proceed to find the bleeder screw. Every vehicle has a bleeder screw for the coolants, usually located at the thermostat housing. Loosen and remove the screw on the bleeder, and then continue to fill up the coolant reservoir. You will hear the air come out of the bleeder opening. Do this until bubbles or coolant emerge from the opening, and tighten the screw back in.
5. Use a funnel to let burp out of the cooling system
Another way you can burp the cooling system is to get a funnel. Remove the cap of the coolant reservoir. Attach the funnel to the cap area. Start the vehicle and allow the engine to run. As the engine runs, fill up with coolant using the funnel.
While the engine is running, you will notice bubbles or burping; this is air escaping from the cooling system. Do this until the bubble reduces, and then allow the engine to cool by switching it off. Leave the funnel in that position and allow the remaining coolants to settle in. Remove excess fluid and remove the funnel.
Using a fluid extractor removes excess fluid in the reservoir or radiator. Ensure that the liquid does not spill out in the process. By doing this, you are burping radiator or burping a cooling system.
There are other ways you can let out the air in the coolant system, and you can use the airlift system, raise coolant fill areas to the highest level possible, and more.
FAQ
Will A Cooling System Burp Itself?
The cooling system can burp itself. It happens when you drive; burping your cooling system might be optional if you regularly drive. If you have a working reservoir or radiator cap and thermostat, when you move, the thermostat will let out the air in the cooling system, and excess air is released through the cap.
Sometimes it is necessary to have the cooling system burped, especially when you encounter a problem or change parts of the system. If there is a problem with the cooling system, there is excess air, and you may need to let it out. Sometimes it could be due to a damaged part of the system.
To be on the safe side and not have a problem with the cooling system, you should regularly check and burp the cooling system.
How Do I Know If I Have Air Trapped In My Cooling System?
The cooling system will experience coolant air lock symptoms when air is in the coolant. Some of the symptoms of air in coolant system include the following.
1. Overheating
2. Heater is not working right
3. Leakage in line or radiator
4. Drop in cooling system performance
The frequent sign of air in the coolant is overheating. When your vehicle experience overheating, there may be too much air in the system or coolant may freeze which can stop the coolants from circulating and doing their job. At this point, you need to know how to burp a radiator. By getting air out of cooling system, you can allow the coolants to move freely and function better.
What Happens If You Don’t Burp Radiator?
If you do not burp the radiator, your cooling system can get an airlock over time, which is bad for your vehicle and can lead to overheating. An airlock is when air is trapped in parts of the cooling system, which could cause serious harm to the engine because without the coolant circulating, the engine’s temperature will rise to the extent that its parts will begin to fail.
You need to know how to burp radiator; by doing this, you get air out of coolant system, prevent coolant flowing in exhaust and the fluids can flow better.
How Do You Know When All Air Is Out Of Radiator?
Depending on the technique you use in removing air from coolant system. Usually, you will know when the air is out when there are no longer bubbles or burping during the burping process. Once the air bubbles stop, it shows it is time to stop the process and cover up whatever part of the vehicle needs to be covered or put back in place. Your cars should not display any signs of air in the system again.
Conclusion
Regular maintenance of your car cooling system is necessary regardless of what vehicle or model of the car you drive. One of the effective ways is by checking the cooling system and taking time to remove air from it through the burping process. This method helps reduce the chances of overheating. Other methods include the bleeder screw method.