How to Bleed the Cooling System on a Dodge Journey / Fiat Freemont (Step-by-Step), by World Mechanics on YouTube. 8 min 8 s.
- Video length
- 8 min 8 s
- Time to do it
- 45 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Park on level ground and let the engine cool completely. Never open the radiator cap or pressure bottle on a hot engine, or scalding coolant can spray out.
Open the pressure bottle or radiator cap and check the coolant level. Top up with the correct coolant mixed as the label says, not plain water for long-term use.
Find the bleed screw or bleeder valve on the thermostat housing or heater hose. On these models it is usually a small plastic or brass screw.
Fill the system slowly with a funnel until coolant reaches the full mark. Filling slowly helps air escape instead of getting trapped.
Open the bleed screw with a screwdriver or small socket. Coolant and air will come out. Keep the bottle topped up as the level drops.
Start the engine and set the heater to full hot with the blower on low. This opens the heater valve so air can leave the heater core.
Let the engine idle until it reaches normal temperature and the thermostat opens. Watch the gauge and keep topping up the bottle.
Close the bleed screw as soon as a steady stream of coolant with no bubbles comes out. Do not overtighten plastic screws.
Rev the engine a few times and check for bubbles again. Top up to the full line, fit the cap and let the engine cool.
Recheck the level when cold and top up if needed. Look under the car for leaks and confirm the heater blows hot.
Tips and common mistakes
Air pockets often hide in the heater core, so run the heater on full hot during the whole bleed.
Never open the system while the engine is hot, and wear gloves and glasses because coolant is toxic and can burn.
Dispose of old coolant at a recycling centre, not down a drain, and keep it away from pets.
If the temperature gauge climbs or the heater stays cold, stop and bleed again before driving.
Questions
How do I know all the air is out?
You get a steady bubble-free stream from the bleed screw and the heater blows hot. The level in the bottle also stops dropping.
Can I drive with air in the cooling system?
No. Trapped air can cause overheating and engine damage. Bleed it fully before normal driving.
Do I need to bleed it after just topping up coolant?
Usually only if the level dropped a lot or you opened the system. A small top-up from the bottle often needs no bleeding.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
