Just installed Alta boost and water temp guages. Rather than the recommended Alta procedure of installing the temp probe in the expansion tank, I bought the M7 coupler which I installed in the cooling hose which is low...behind the front bumper and near the lower edge of the fan.

I've been bleeding the system, since I obviously got air in there when I put the coupler in. About 1 or 2 quarts drained out, I caught it in a pan and topped the system off when I was finished.

At first, the guage stayed at the bottom (100 deg) for a long time. Then, the temp rose to about 205, sounded like the fan came on and the thermostat (or whatever the R56 uses for one) opened and the temp dropped back to 100. All of this was done with the car at idle, brake set. Did this a couple of times.

So when you induce air into the system, what's the best way to get it out? Some shops have a vacuum setup they can put on, but I don't have one. If I continue to run the engine and maybe drive around the block a few times, will the air eventually purge itself? I've been judiciously loosening the fill cap to let the pressure off, but maybe I should just let it do its thing.

Any thoughts?

 

Cap if you look straight down form the top of the T-stat you will see a slotted bleed screw loosen it. Pour water or 50% premix in the reservoir youy should see it trickle out of the bleed screw. Just loose the screw dont take it complete out it will be a pain to get back into place. you can even let the engine idle and let the coolant purge itself.

I know I had to replace a noisy wahterpump on a R56 today

hope this helps

guido

 

Guido is right, you need to use the vent screw.

Attachment 33386

 

Tried the "running at idle with the reservoir cap cracked" procedure, but no luck. Temp remained at 100 deg for 30 minutes.

The hose where I installed the coupler was still cool. Then I called Dan at Grassroots Garage in Thomasville, NC. Turns out the hose at the bottom (behind the bumper) won't give an accurate reading. Got to tap one of the hoses off the radiator and under the reservoir. There should be two there and it's the top one.

 

Glad to hear you have it sorted out!