Does the radiator in your home feel cold even when it is already hot? Does your car's temperature temperature exceed the normal limit? In either case, your radiator may contain air that is blocking normal flow. Fortunately, this common problem is easy to fix. With a simple tool, the radiator in your car or home will work as before.
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Method 1 of 2: Bleed Air on the Radiator in Your Home
Step 1. Diagnose your radiator
A radiator filled with excess air must require a process of expelling the air from the radiator. Thus, when you turn on the radiator, the entire radiator will feel cold or the top of the radiator will feel cold while the bottom will feel warm. Unfortunately, cold radiators can also cause problems. Before proceeding, you can check below for ways to check for other radiator problems. If there is no match, your radiator may need a simple vent. Be careful, the radiator can get very hot. Protect your hands with gloves when you touch the radiator.
- If you have several radiators in your home that have cold or warm temperatures, you may have a problem with your heating system - your water heater may be faulty or there may be deposits and blockages somewhere in the heating system (see: How to Flush a Water Heater.)
- If your radiator problem is water buildup under the radiator, then your radiator has a leak. Try turning off your water heater, then tightening the nuts on each of your radiator vent valves. If this doesn't fix the problem, the nuts may rust – it's best if you call a professional.
- If the radiator on the top floor of your home isn't heating up but the radiator on the bottom floor is heating up, your heating system may not be operating at the strong pressure to push hot water up to the top floor of your home.
Step 2. Locate the radiator lock
If you have decided to blow air on your radiator your first step should be to find something to open the radiator. Look for a small valve at the top of one end of your radiator. In this valve, there will usually be a small square that can be changed to fit the valve. A radiator lock, a metal device designed to open and close the radiator valve, is available at material stores. Look for a radiator lock according to the size of your radiator valve, as an alternative look for another tool that if possible to open your radiator valve.
- Some modern radiators are equipped with valves designed to be opened using an ordinary flat screwdriver.
- Before proceeding, make sure you have a radiator wrench, screwdriver, wrench or some other support tool so that you will be able to open the valve on every radiator in your home. When expelling air in one radiator, the radiator will function properly and be useful for everyone in your home.
Step 3. Turn off your heater
Make sure that your main heater is turned off before venting the air, if the heating system is on it can channel more air into the heating system. You must remove all the air on your radiator before removing any trapped air inside. Allow the radiator to cool to let the air out, if any part of your radiator still feels hot, wait until it cools down before moving on to the next step.
Step 4. Open your radiator valve
Make sure that both the air intake holes and the valve are "open". Then, insert the radiator wrench (or screwdriver, etc.) into the exhaust screw in the valve on the top of the radiator. Turn the screw counterclockwise to open the valve. You will hear a whistling sound like air escaping your radiator.
Opening the exhaust valve allows air to escape, and turns into a liquid in your heating system through the pipes connected to your heating system
Step 5. Clean the dripping water from the valve
As air exits your radiator, water will likely squirt out of the exhaust valve. Place a towel or cloth under the vent screw to absorb any droplets. Or, use a small bowl to catch the water droplets.
Step 6. Wait for the water to come out of the exhaust valve
When a stream of water (not a mixture of splash air and dripping water) exits through the exhaust valve, you have removed all the air trapped in your radiator. Retighten your exhaust valve (turn the screw clockwise) and make sure that there are no leaks. Use a rag to absorb any water that escapes around your radiator.
Step 7. Repeat this process on all radiators in your home
This ensures all excess air is drained from your heating system, and keeps all your radiators working properly. In order for the heating system to be properly maintained, you should try to air out your radiator on a regular basis. Regularly venting after repairs or changing your heating system will usually also make your heater last longer.
Step 8. Check the pressure level of your steam boiler
By removing excess air from your radiator, you can lower the pressure on the entire heating system in your home. If the pressure is too low, the heat may not reach some of your radiators (especially those on the top floor of your home.) To restore pressure to your heating system, it may be necessary to increase the pressure of your existing steam boiler by using water.
- For housing heaters, the pressure level should be around 12-15 psi. The higher the pressure, the more heat can be obtained from the heating system to transfer the heat. Especially non-storey or multi-story houses require lower or higher boiler pressure respectively.
- If your boiler has an automatic system, your boiler should be set to a pressure of about 12-15 psi. If not, add water and open the boiler water valve until the pressure gauge reaches about 12-15 psi.
Method 2 of 2: Bleeding Air on Car Radiator
Step 1. Look for symptoms on your car's radiator that cause the radiator to malfunction
A car radiator requires exhaust air for the same reasons a home radiator causes air pockets to get trapped in a car's cooling system. This is to prevent the freeze from circulating, which causes the car to overheat. If you observe one or more of the following symptoms, your car radiator may need to ventilate:
- The temperature exceeds the normal limit.
- Boiling liquid comes out of your radiator.
- Odd smell from your engine, especially if it smells fishy (caused by leaking antifreeze or burning.)
- In addition, air exhaust after maintenance or replacement of parts of your car's cooling system can also be the cause. Water can enter the cooling system during maintenance - pay attention to your car's temperature after changing your cooling system.
Step 2. Locate and loosen your car's exhaust valve
Some cars have an air exhaust valve located inside the cooling system that functions to release trapped air, such as the exhaust valve on a house radiator. Consult your mechanic to find the position of this valve - it is usually located on the top of your car's cooling system to let air out, which will come out on its own.
- To blow the car's radiator air out through the valves, simply loosen the valves until you hear a snorting sound from the escaping air. Use a cloth to absorb the splash of water, then re-tighten the valve when you're done.
- Some cars do not have a special air intake valve. Don't worry - it's still possible to get the air out of the radiators on these cars through another process (see below.)
Step 3. Start the car by closing the radiator
Another easy way to get air out of a car's radiator is to keep the radiator cap tightly closed (this is also a good option if your car doesn't have a special valve.) Remove the radiator cap and let the engine run for about fifteen to twenty minutes. The air bag must be forced to expel air through the car's radiator cooling system.
Step 4. Pick up your car
The water will rise on its own, so by raising the front of your car, placing the radiator at a higher point than the rest of your cooling system, you can speed up the release of air from your system. Be careful when using a jack to lift your car - most cars have one, but if you don't, you can buy one at an auto supply store. Make sure your radiator cap is loose before lifting the car.
In certain types of cars, the radiator may not be in the front of the car – read your car manual if you don't know it
Step 5. Perform a "flush and fill" Once you've blown the air out of the car's radiator, it's best if you add new coolant
Trapped air can raise the temperature of the coolant in your car - you may run out of coolant without even realizing it. Remove the old coolant from your system and add new coolant. Here are general instructions for changing your car's coolant:
- Let the engine cool completely.
- Place a pan or other container under your radiator valve to contain the old coolant.
- Add water to the car radiator until it is full, then let it drain out of the drain valve under the car.
- Close the drain valve and add new coolant, generally a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and clean water (not tap water, which can form mineral deposits.)
- Bleed the air in your radiator again to remove any remaining air.
