Is there a coolant air relief cap on the @3.3L?
Keystone742
12-11-2008, 04:45 PM
I've just changed the timing belt/thermostat/water pump on my 2001 Villager 3.3L and I can not find any coolant relief cap or plug to vent air when refilling the coolant. I also have a 1995 Villager 3.0L with over 240,000 miles and can find that relief cap on it with my eyes closed. Does anyone know if the 3.3L has one? The instructions in the 2001 Haynes manual is an exact duplicate of the 1995 instructions so I'm left wondering if things changed with the newer motor and Haynes failed to catch it. Anyone know for certain?
Keystone742
12-12-2008, 04:03 PM
Just for closure, since I could not find the coolant relief caps, I used the old fashion method to burp the system, and it seems to have worked. I filled the rad, installed the cap and waited for the car to warm up, allowing the fan to turn on and off twice. I then turned off the car and allowed it to sit for about an hour, then added more coolant and repeated the process. After the 3rd cycle, it was blowing hot air thru the heater and not taking anymore coolant. Topped of the reservoir to max and drove it.
drcoffee
12-13-2008, 01:26 PM
there is a throttle body coolant line that is at the high point of the engine. Maybe try to remove that connection and fill until it pours out.
I'm still wrestling with the PITA thermostat. The housing had no room to be removed because the AC lines are inches from the engine. So I had to scrape and clean everything right where is sat. The hose clamp on the housing is impossible to work with, so now I have to go to the store and buy a worm gear clamp before I can refill. This 15 minute job will easily stretch into 3 hours and that's if there's no leaks. Good thing this van is so reliable because if I had to repair it more often I would have burned it under a bridge long ago.
I'm still wrestling with the PITA thermostat. The housing had no room to be removed because the AC lines are inches from the engine. So I had to scrape and clean everything right where is sat. The hose clamp on the housing is impossible to work with, so now I have to go to the store and buy a worm gear clamp before I can refill. This 15 minute job will easily stretch into 3 hours and that's if there's no leaks. Good thing this van is so reliable because if I had to repair it more often I would have burned it under a bridge long ago.
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