Well, iv been debateing on this most of the day.

I have my new engine all done etc. Should I take the thermostat out and put water into the block, or just let the block heat up normally (completely empty of water) and let the thermastat fill it, and adding water accordingly to the radiator.

I never really thought about this until today. And iv never heard of any special way to do this.

 

The block will fill with coolant/water even with the thermostat closed. Fill it up!!

 

So the block will fill with water when the thermostat is closed, so in theory, the block is already filled with water? Im confused you gave me a mixed anwser, lol told me it would fill, then told me to fill it up some clarification maybe, thanks!

 

You can fill the block with the thermostat out if you want, but you can also just fill it up from the radiator like you normally would. Leave the cap off when you first run it and watch for the coolant to go down when the thermostat opens, then keep filling the radiator until it stays full. Make sure you open the bleed screws when you are filling it up. Most of the air will be purged that way.

 

Thank you for clarifacation, quick anwsers for a sunday night, thats always . Thanks again both of you.

 

bringing this from the archive - would i follow the same process with a electric wp. The meziere instructions say don't run it dry too long. Too long isn't clear. Wonder if I start the car and run the meziere, how long i have before I get the coolant hitting the water pump.

 

I didn't read the manual on this but had to deal with refill after a water pump install. I had to fill it and also open the two bleed screws otherwise it takes forever to get all the water needed in even with the cap off. Once the bleed valves start dripping it should be full (keep a cloth under to catch the water).

Hal

 

thanks for the replies, i think i'm just going to remove the thermostat housing and fill the block that way. i don't see a different way of getting fluid moving from the radiator to engine since meziere doesn't define a time for how long the pump can run dry.

 

Is it better to us distilled water and water wetter or purple ice, the orange stuff or the green stuff or does it matter?

 

Not sure on the type of coolant but always use distilled water. What type does metziere suggest?

Hal

 

Also, once you get it up to temp with the cap off have some one get in and hold the revs up to 2500 and you'll see the waterpump flow harder and suck down the coolant. Refill while its reving at 2500 and then put the cap on. That has cured my low coolant light that came on every so often. Chevy has adapted this as their new coolant fill procedure.

 

He has an electric pump, reving will do nothing but speed the engine up.

 

My bad, I didn't see that...lol

 

thanks for the replies guys, i'm using my regular house filtered water, always have. the chicago water is pretty good overall, not too heavy with minerals, they process it enough.

 

You've probably already filled it through the thermostat housing so this is moot for you...but not for others. There is absolutely no need to fill the cooling system that way, even with an electric pump. Simply open the bleeder screws and add the coolant into the radiator. Keep adding until the radiator stays full. Close the bleeder screws and start the engine. The pump is already submerged when the radiator is full. Anyway, run the engine, with the cap off, until the level in the radiator falls which means the thermostat is opening. Refil the radiator and open the bleeder screws one at a time until coolant comes out..it'll be bubbles at first then a steady stream. Close them tight, refil the radiator, stick the cap back on and drive away...you're done.