Hi there. I’m wondering what could be the problem with my vehicle. It is an 2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue GL. I replaced the water pump and the thermostat. And still getting an above average temperature when I idle to long. I don’t know if I got all the air bubbles out of the coolant system. Not sure if I did it right to get them out. I need some help.
Making sure to get all the air out of the system is very important for proper functionality. I have provided the basic repair manual information below. Use this to identify if you have bleed the air from the system properly.
| Cooling System Air Bleed Procedure | |
|---|---|
| Procedures | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Application/Qualifier | Type | Location | Procedure |
| GL | Valve | Radiator | A. Open the bleeder valve. B. Fill the system until coolant starts to come out of the bleed valve. C. Close bleed valve. |
Cooling System Draining and Filling
Draining Procedure
- Park the vehicle on a level surface.
- Remove the pressure cap when the engine is cool:
- Slowly rotate the cap counterclockwise until a hissing sound is heard.
- Wait until any residual pressure (indicated by a hissing sound is relieved.
- After all hissing stops, continue to rotate the pressure cap counterclockwise until the cap is removed.
- Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
- Place a drain pan under vehicle to collect all of the drained coolant.
- Open the radiator drain valve located at the bottom of the radiator tank.
- Remove the right front wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels in repair manual.
- Remove engine block drain plug (1).
- Allow the coolant to drain completely.
Filling Procedure
- Close the radiator drain valve.
- Install the engine block drain plug (1).
- Install the right front wheel.
- Remove the drain pan(s) from under the vehicle.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Open the radiator air bleed valve (1).
- Add a 50 percent ethylene glycol DEX-COOL ™ and 50 percent clean drinkable water mixture to fill the system.
- Close the radiator air bleed valve when coolant starts to come out of the air bleed valve (1).
- Slowly add the coolant mixture until the level has reached the FULL COLD mark.
- Run engine to operating temperature while adding coolant/water mixture to FULL mark.
- After engine has reached operating temperature. turn engine off and wait for two minutes and recheck the level of the coolant mixture. Add clean water if necessary to restore the coolant mixture level to the FULL COLD mark.
- Install the surge tank cap.
- Inspect the coolant level and freeze protection after the engine completes three thermal cycles (engine heats up to cooling fan operation and cools back down) using a refractometer or a hydrometer to ensure a proper freeze protection of –40°C (-40°F).
