Bleeding And Filling Cooling System With Vacuum Filler (The Best Method in My Opinion!)

In this video I show how to bleed and fill a cooling system using a cooling system vacuum filler. The particular vacuum filler I am using in the video is a UView Airlift Cooling System Leak Checker and Airlock Purge Tool Kit. The process is similar among many different brands of cooling system vacuum fillers. In my opinion, using a vacuum filler is the best and easiest way to bleed and fill a cooling system. It removes 100%ish of the air from the system.

Note: This demonstration is applicable to vehicles that have had the cooling system drained and that need to be refilled.

Warning! Special care should be taken when working on a hot cooling system. This video does not go over this as the vehicle is totally cool. Use our owners and repair manual for specific information regarding the dangers of working on a hot cooling system.

Step 1: Place the head of the tool as shown in the video into the coolant degas bottle, aka reservoir, or place the had of the tool directly into the radiator where the radiator cap fits.
Note: placing the head of the tool in an over flow bottle will not work. While the overflow bottle is a part of the cooling system it does not handle pressurized coolant and cannot support a vacuum.

Step 2: Attach the venturi tube, the hose that has the T in it, to the head of the tool. Then attach the air hose from your air compressor to the venturi tube.

Step 3: Open the valve on the head of the tool allow a vacuum to build. Allow the vacuum to reach approximately 25hg. Then shut the valve off.

Step 4: Disconnect the venturi tube from the head of the tool. Watch the vacuum gauge on the head of the tool. There should be no drop in vacuum. If there is then inspect for leaks. If no leaks can be found then it would be recommended to fill the system with water instead of coolant during the next steps. It would then be recommended to pressurize the cooling system to identify where the leak is at. (I'll have a link to a video showing how to perform a pressure test below.) If the gauge holds proceed to next step.

Step 5: Attach fill tube to tool head. Place the screened end into coolant container until the screen reaches the bottom of the coolant container. Open the valve on the head of the tool to allow coolant to be sucked into the cooling system. Keep an eye on the coolant level in the coolant container. Do not let the coolant level fall below the screened end of the fill tube. Once level approaches the screened portion of the fill tube shut the valve off on the tool head stopping the flow of coolant.

Step 6: Take fill hose out of coolant container keeping the screened portion of the hose pointed up and above the level of the tool head as to not allow air to enter the fill hose. Fill coolant container with either coolant or water in order to obtain a 50/50 mixture of coolant. Insert fill hose into container and open the valve on the tool head to allow coolant or water to flow into system. Allow vacuum to dissipate. If vacuum is still present and the coolant container is close to empty then repeat above instructions to add more coolant or water. (Do not allow air to enter the system.) Once vacuum is gone then the system is filled. Replace the radiator cap or reservoir cap.

Note: While it is a good indication that the system is tight if the vacuum does not drop in step 4 I would still suggest performing a cooling system pressure test to insure no leaks are present. Sometimes a cooling system may not leak under a vacuum but will leak under pressure. Here is a link to a video showing how to perform a cooling system pressure test.

Discloser: As an Amazon affiliate I earn commission from qualifying sales.

DISCLAIMER
Barbour's Auto Help is not responsible for any damage or personal injury incurred in the process of performing any auto repairs done by you the viewer. Automotive repair is extremely dangerous. Repair your vehicle at your own risk. It is the viewers responsibility to verify all information and procedures as outlined in YOUR REPAIR MANUAL AND OWNERS MANUAL FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Owning and using a repair manual suited for your vehicle is essential for correctly and safely performing ANY repair to your vehicle. Always wear safety glasses and heed all instructions for use applicable to any piece of equipment you may use. Due to circumstances out of the control of Barbours Auto Help, Barbours Auto Help makes no guarantee that by the use of the information given in this video a quality repair will be made. Also, Barbour'sAutoHelp makes no guarantee that the information provided is totally complete, syncronized and accurate.

[glennfitzpatrick]

This was the clearest description of this process that I have found. Nice job!

[MrRWHP]

I like that way of replacing the coolant, better than standing there and slowly pouring the coolant

[awdmute]

Grateful video! I was considering picking one of these up, i never realized how simple they are

[renoleevans]

Great job letting everyone know that they needed an air compressor. It may have not been obvious to come people! There aren't any videos I've seen that really mention it.

[dham]

Nice how-to! Im picking one of these up for my vehicles as the drain/refill/burb method is not always consistent. Adding a vacuum and for the coolant to refill naturally this way seems like a nice easy way to ensure the air is out.

[DustyGoatHomestead]

I really really appreciate this video. Working on my daughters car i learned that her Nissan specific year model is bad about getting air pockets causing it to overheat. This may save me from throwing parts time and money at the problem. Thank you.

[johnwagner]

Hey Keith, these are a great help and easy to do. Great content. 👍

[truckinman]

I often premix my coolant and water in a clean bucket. That way, I don’t accidentally end up with an unbalanced mix if my vehicle takes more coolant than it does water and anything left over goes back into the jug and I write 50/50 mix on the jug.

[jerryfrederick]

Great video.
Good info.
Straight to the point.
Thank you.

[registrationaccount]

What about the heater hoses. Does it work without the heater on and circulating? Also what about the air that was in the hose before you opened the valve to let coolant in?

[tkostang]

Pressurize the system with air if vacuum drops then use spray bottle with soapy water….. look for the bubble bath. Spray all the areas where hose connections are… just my 2¢

[robhoffecker]

Question:
2011 F150 XLT
I've never changed my coolant. 🙄
I recently bought a vacuum fill device. This video is very helpful!😁👍
How do I use it to empty the system of coolant?
Do I need to do a system flush before adding new coolant?

[ulf-dieterkoepp]

Very good to explain to the beginners. Must this device be on place and then start the engine?

[airvine]

I could see working on an older car and the vacuum causing hoses to collapse and crack. Wonder if pulling vac at a slower rate would minimize the chance.

[rangerrick]

How much vacuum is safe? Can too much vacuum cause issues with the smaller lines in the heater core?

[Cash]

My coolant system is already filled, can I use this tool to bleed all the air out without having to drain and refill?

[fastlife]

I tried using this tool for the first time on a Buick Lucerne. I tried first on the reservoir tank and couldn't pull a vacuum. I then switched the tool to the radiator cap and still couldn't pull a vacuum but it sounded like the reservoir cap wasn't sealing. Am I doing something wrong or do I need to replace the tank?

[bradley]

Do you have to start empty or can you use this after you've already flushed and filled the system?

[mattiaconti]

Nice video! Do manufacturers say what negative pressure is safe when pulling the vacuum? It would be a nice info!

[barrymcockener]

Quick question does the cooling system have to be completely empty? Or will it just evacuate through that hose?