Hi all,

I just replaced the engine coolant outlet flange on my 2017 XE R Sport. The coolant isn’t moving through the top half of the system and I’d like to bleed the coolant system. I brought the car up to operating temperature in, ran the heater, but no hot air came out. I’ve cycled it a few times today, still no luck.

Question, is this the bleed screw (green arrow in the picture)? If so, does it turn a quarter turn to bleed or does it unscrew totally and have an O-ring underneath? I ask because every bit of plastic that is part of this cooling system in this vehicle has been very fragile. Multiple fittings on the front of the motor around the water pump have broken and now the coolant outlet flange has disintegrated.

Also, upon perusing this forum, there seems to often be two bleed screws on these motors.
Is that the case with this model? There doesn’t appear to be one as I look throughout the engine bay.

Thanks in advance for the help here!

Best,
Shady


est,
Shady

 

A lot of vehicles have an outlet coolant drain plug below the radiator. Have your tried looking for that? When going underneathe the car, read this extra pre-caustion: https://www.caranddriver.com/feature...o-jack-up-car/

 

Update…with the car running, I took a 2 inch putty knife, inserted into the plastic screw (with green arrow) and began to loosen it gently. At about one full turn, bubbles began to appear from the hole in the center. Then another half turn, and bubbles turn red into foam and I let it go for about 20 seconds, then coolant began to trickle out of the hole. I lifted the bleed screw pipe pipe to ensure all the air was out from either side and I tightened it up. It is definitely the bleed screw!

I took it for a test drive and hot air came out of the vents as expected. Everything appears to be back to normal once again!

Just wanted to close the loop on this.

Thanks!

 

Also check your thermostat to make sure everything is good,