Coolant Bleed Question

Good morning,

New member here but a long time lurker using all the DIY maintenance help.

I recently replaced the coolant on my 2018 4Runner. Drained the radiator and block and siphoned old fluid out of the expansion tank.

What I forgot to do was refill expansion tank prior to bleeding, noticed about halfway through the process, added some coolant and finished bleeding.

My question is, did I do any harm or extend how long it took me to bleed the system by not having fluid in the tank? Drained about 2 gallons out and put the same back in the radiator.

Thanks for the insight.

Jim

 

Welcome Jim

 

Thank you.

 

No. You'll be ok.

 

Did you let in run for 30 minutes with the radiator cap off? That will get the air out

 

Yes. Took about 30-35 minutes, I realized I had not put any coolant in the empty expansion tank about halfway through the process so I was curious if that added to the time it took to bleed the system. Is it possible to pull air in from the empty expansion tank?

 

In the current world, Possible.
Fill that joker up to to the recommended level and rerun the bleed procedure again to give yourself the piece of mind. You have not hurt a thing that a typical shop has not done thousands of times.

 

Yes. Not problem though, the air will purge. Just fill it to the Full line and top up after a few drive cycles.

Next time you change coolant, leave the radiator cap in place when you drain the radiator. The contents of the expansion tank will siphon out. As soon as the tank is cleared, remove the cap and proceed as usual.

 

You’re fine. Did you turn the heat on and was it blowing hot

 

^this.

 

Yes, heat was on and was blowing hot.