Questions and Answers

Toyota Cressida Air In Cooling System Q. Hi! I have an 1989 Toyota Cressida straight 6. I just installed an new radiator and water pump because the pump leaked damaging the radiator. I can hear water swishing around in the engine and I have to initially rev the engine to get heat to blow warmer. Is there a bleed screw of any sort on the thermostats on theses cars or is there a way to get air out of the system? Thanks, Naim

A. There is no air bleed for the cooling system, but it does sound like an air bubble is trapped inside the block. Try this, clip the end off a paper clip so you have a "U" shaped wire. Then slide it under the negative pressure relief valve of the radiator cap.

Now fill the cooling system to the top of the filler neck and place the radiator cap on tightly. Fill the coolant reserve bottle about ¾ full. Start the engine and turn the heater to full HOT.

Now just let it run and soon you will see air bubbles coming up through the coolant reserve bottle. When the engine gets to normal operating temperature shut it off. Keep an eye on the coolant in the bottle and add some to keep the level up.

That will get most of the air out of the system. You may need to repeat the procedure once or twice more.