"Burping" the cooling system on a C1

[Garry E.]

Does anyone have any recommendations on effectively "burping" the cooling system on a C1.....? I drained the radiator and now have air in the cooling system...... any good ideas on removing the air.... Thanks ....... Garry Eastwood # 38705

[Bob R.]

Re: "Burping" the cooling system on a C1

I am a C2 not C1 guy but try running the car with the cap removed. Then add water as the level drops.

[Donald H.]

Re: "Burping" the cooling system on a C1

I recently filled my 1960 system after reinstalling the engine and new radiator. I just filled through the radiator cap and kept refilling over a few days before first start of freshly rebuilt engine. Then added water as necessary at engine run in.

I also drained and flushed my 1966. Including removing the drain plugs in the block. Filled through the overflow tanks, ran and refilled as necessary.

I not much of a mechanic, but what happens to make you sure you have trapped air in the cooling system?

[John H.]

Re: "Burping" the cooling system on a C1

Garry -

I fill my C1's and C2's the same way, have never had an "air" problem. I fill the system first through the thermostat opening in the intake manifold until the coolant rises to the top, install the thermostat and bolt down the housing, and finish filling through the radiator fill (C1) or through the expansion tank (C2), start it and let it run without the cap until the thermostat opens, then finish the fill to the proper level (tank half-full COLD on a C2).

[Christopher R.]

Re: "Burping" the cooling system on a C1

On my '62, the upper radiator hose is higher than the expansion tank. So, with the expansion tank 1/2 full at cold, the upper radiator hose is empty of coolant. So, there's always air in the cooling system. Does it expel the air and suck in the coolant when the engine is running and the thermostat open?

[Bob R.]

Re: "Burping" the cooling system on a C1

The system sucks water in from the bottom of the radiator to the engine and discharges from the top of the engine to the radiator. If you leave the cap off and add water as the level drops you should be able to remove the air from the system.

[Steven B.]

Re: "Burping" the cooling system on a C1

Gary, I have done my '57 for forty-nine years as John describes and no problems yet. Steve

[Bruce B.]

Re: "Burping" the cooling system on a C1

I recently drained the radiator and changed the intake on my 57.
Put it back together, filled the radiator to the top, drove the car, let it sit and idle for a while, it puked some coolant and since then it runs cool and has not required any more coolant.

[Dan B.]

Re: "Burping" the cooling system on a C1

What makes you think you have air in the system?? If you fill the radiator, and run the car and it pukes some, that is normal as there is no reserve tank on the early c-1's. Start the engine with the cap off, run it till it warms up and fill coolant to top. Any air will be expelled along with some coolant. Put the cap back on and let it puke till it stops and you are done. Dan