radiator bleed issue? e36

[Mr.k]

So I have a question. When I open the Radiator Cap, the Expansion Tank looks completely empty (first thing i the morning car is ice cold). However, when I open the bleed Screw (leaving the Radiator Cap open), the coolant level starts to rise right up to the indicated cold level in the Expansion Tank.

Do i need to fill more coolant? bleed the system again? or is this normal?
Thanks.

 

[danieljames]

I think u have t he same issue as I do......a leak somewhere

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But try bleeding again before jumping to conclusions

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[Ralf*]

to me it sounds like you have got a vapour lock somewhere within the system, causing the water to forced back to the expansion tank as the car heats up, and the airlock bubble expands

bleed it properly
1) engine running
2) preferrably with a nose up attitude
3) heater controls to full heat
4) open bleed screws until only water, no steam comes out

 

[444YYY]

So I have a question. When I open the Radiator Cap, the Expansion Tank looks completely empty (first thing i the morning car is ice cold). However, when I open the bleed Screw (leaving the Radiator Cap open), the coolant level starts to rise right up to the indicated cold level in the Expansion Tank.

Do i need to fill more coolant? bleed the system again? or is this normal?
Thanks.

I had the exact same thing when I changed my radiator!!

Seems like the heater system takes some effort to get the air out of it.

I figured it was the coolant from the heater, which is probably higher the expansion tank emptying into the expansion tank when you open the bleed screw.

So basically top up the coolant in the morning without opening the bleed screw.

With mine, it still dropped the next morning, indicating there were air traps in the system.

Over a few days of topping up, it basically then remained at the 'cold' mark in the morning...

 

[AudiDriver]

So I have a question. When I open the Radiator Cap, the Expansion Tank looks completely empty (first thing i the morning car is ice cold). However, when I open the bleed Screw (leaving the Radiator Cap open), the coolant level starts to rise right up to the indicated cold level in the Expansion Tank.

Do i need to fill more coolant? bleed the system again? or is this normal?
Thanks.

I had the exact same thing when I changed my radiator!!

Seems like the heater system takes some effort to get the air out of it.

I figured it was the coolant from the heater, which is probably higher the expansion tank emptying into the expansion tank when you open the bleed screw.

So basically top up the coolant in the morning without opening the bleed screw.

With mine, it still dropped the next morning, indicating there were air traps in the system.

Over a few days of topping up, it basically then remained at the 'cold' mark in the morning...

This will sort it out.

Every time you open the bleed screw the level in the rad and expansion tank will equalise. Don't open it on the final top-up.