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Can you bleed a car radiator when the heating is on?

Duston Maynes
Automotive Repair Specialist
Duston Maynes is an Automotive Repair Specialist at RepairSmith. Duston specializes in leading a team that handles a variety of automotive repairs including replacing spark plugs, front and rear brake pads, fuel pumps, car batteries, alternators, timing belts, and starter motors. Duston holds an Associate’s degree in Automotive/Diesel Technology from The Universal Technical Institute of Arizona and is a Certified Diagnostic Technician and Automobile Mechanics Technician through BMW STEP. RepairSmith received The 2020 Big Innovation Award by Business Intelligence Group and The Startup of the Year by the American Business Awards. RepairSmith was also included in Built in LA’s 50 Startups to Watch and The Business Intelligence Group’s 52 Names Leading the Way in Customer Service. RepairSmith offers in-home services to provide car owners convenient and complete auto repair everywhere.

Duston Maynes

Automotive Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

No, you shouldn't. It's not a good idea to bleed a radiator while your vehicle is still hot.

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Question

How do you bleed a car radiator system?

Duston Maynes
Automotive Repair Specialist
Duston Maynes is an Automotive Repair Specialist at RepairSmith. Duston specializes in leading a team that handles a variety of automotive repairs including replacing spark plugs, front and rear brake pads, fuel pumps, car batteries, alternators, timing belts, and starter motors. Duston holds an Associate’s degree in Automotive/Diesel Technology from The Universal Technical Institute of Arizona and is a Certified Diagnostic Technician and Automobile Mechanics Technician through BMW STEP. RepairSmith received The 2020 Big Innovation Award by Business Intelligence Group and The Startup of the Year by the American Business Awards. RepairSmith was also included in Built in LA’s 50 Startups to Watch and The Business Intelligence Group’s 52 Names Leading the Way in Customer Service. RepairSmith offers in-home services to provide car owners convenient and complete auto repair everywhere.

Duston Maynes

Automotive Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

Check the manufacturer's recommendations—some cars need an electric water pump, while others require a certain bleed procedure or a special tool.

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Question

My valves are at the bottom?

Community Answer

Yes, there are big handle valves at the bottom, don't touch those. You're looking for a very small, pencil thickness valve at the top where you would use the special key you buy at any hardware or home improvement store.

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Question

Why is my radiator bleeding valve sucking air in instead of pushing it out?

Community Answer

This means that your system is low on water, or you're bleeding the system while it's cold and not pumping. You should only bleed a hot system. Completely filling the system while it's cold will only result in water on the floor of the boiler room when the heat is called for.

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Question

I put a new thermostat in my 2001 Mazda MPV. Do I have to bleed the radiator?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

My house radiator is cold at the bottom and warm on top. What's wrong?

Community Answer

Your flow is blocked or restricted. Get a plumber to permanently fix the problem.

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Question

I have a completely cold radiator on the ground floor, which I have bled. Water came out but no air. It's still cold. What do I do?

Community Answer

Call a heating or HVAC company and have them check and repair the system. Your circulator pump may be quitting too soon or may be failing and need replacement.

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Question

I have three radiators downstairs that are cold, the other four are hot. All ten radiators upstairs are hot. What should I do?

Community Answer

You're the perfect candidate for bleeding the radiators. It's probably long overdue, so go buy a radiator key and bleed them all, even if you think some of them are fine.

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Question

How long do I bleed a radiator in Honda Civic 1996?

Community Answer

15 minutes should be the maximum until there are no longer any bubbles. If the bubbles seem constant and not diminishing, then you may need a new head gasket.

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Question

I have radiators downstairs that are cold and radiators upstairs that are hot. Is it best to bleed the upstairs or downstairs radiators first?

Community Answer

It doesn't matter where you start; you're just bleeding the air out of that specific radiator, so the air doesn't travel to any other radiator. Each radiator is the high-point of the system there.

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Question

I live on the third floor and don't have access to turn off the heating systems. The bottom of the radiator is warm, the pipes leading to it are hot, my bathroom and kitchen are working fine, can I still bleed the radiator(s)?

Community Answer

Yes, bleed all of the radiators even if you think some are fine. It's best to bleed the radiators when the system is running or heating.

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Question

What should I do when I bleed a radiator but no air comes out of it?

Community Answer

Nothing! If you just get a stream of water, you're done. If you get no air and no water, then the system is low on water and needs to be topped off at the boiler.

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Question

The radiator in my house is warm, but it never gets hot no matter what position the valve is in. What should I do?

Community Answer

Check the temperature of the water at the boiler. You can often change the temperature of the water that circulates around the house. I used to turn the water temperature down to prevent the radiators becoming so hot they caused burns if persons touched them. If I heard the circulation pump coming on too often, it meant I needed to raise the temperature to reduce electricity usage.

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Question

If my radiator is leaking, where do I bleed it if it won't turn off?

Community Answer

If your radiator is leaking, you should get it repaired by a licensed plumber. It is a problem which bleeding won't fix.

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