marky522

Hey, Just wanted to throw this out there, In training i used the Porsche tool to fill a 997 and a Cayman this week and did it in less than 10 minutes, it draws the system under a vaccum similar to evacutating an AC system, then allows you to draw your coolant in from the jug through a hose. Fills the system 100% and allows you to leak check it before adding any coolant. The snapon kit is the same basic tool, but actually easier to use.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

Mark

Jfrahm

The machine sounds cool! I use a wet vac to get the old coolant out. You can also bleed a 944 pretty fast if you open the bleeder, put your hand over the filler neck, and blow into the overflow tube. Heat on full blast of course.

krahmlow

Now, you see, this brings up a question that I've been wondering about for a while. If the cooling system operates under slight pressure, why can't we just crack the bleeder while the engine is warm and running to let any air out?

marky522

You need to make sure the system is empty before you draw your vaccum.

Mark

marky522

Oh, and the reason you cant just crack the bleeder is because the air gets trapped in the block.

Mark

Jfrahm

Yes, you want to do that for sure. However if you can fill the system all the way and eliminate most of the initial air pocket you do not have as many problems burping it later, plus you won't have to add coolant again. If there is a big air pocket it can be hard on the engine to get it to operating temperature and get the thermostat open since the air pocket may be right were cooling water is crucial.

Drilling a small (like 1.5mm) hole in the thermostat helps with this process too.

-Joel.

krahmlow

Okay, I get it. So this tool will help to fill the system evenly/more completely and make bleeding easier, but I'll still want to bleed when I'm done.

My question then becomes, and I'm sorry if this is moving a little bit off-topic here, but why would the Clark's method of using a pressure tester (or the method of pressurizing outlined above) be necessary for bleeding if I lift the front end of the car and run it til it's warm and the coolant is circulating? Assuming I don't have those huge air pockets in the block, shouldn't the current move the bubbles to the bleed point, and shouldn't the pressure generated by the warm operating system be enough to push the air out without letting more in?

'Not trying to be a PITA. Just wondering what I'm missing. And after all, we're talking about special tools for filling/bleeding the system....

Jfrahm

Yes, this usually works but I am not OK with running the engine until the thermostat opens with big air pockets in the cooling system. Boiling the coolant, steam pockets, uneven heating... it's not a huge deal but IMO it's way better to take 30 seconds and blow that air pocket out of there.

-Joel.

krahmlow

Got it. Thanks.

marky522

Actually no, if you fill it with this tool there will be NO air pockets, there will be no need to bleed the system afterwards. I have total confidence filling the system with this then taking the car out without a test drive.

Mark

bearone

how many $$$$ is the tool, can it be purchased?

87951

marky522

Link is in my first comment, its $208, but you can use it with any car.

Mark

PorscheDoc

Yup, have the snap on tool, it rocks!

xsboost90

i'll wait five minutes for the thermostat to open.

marky522

If you have 5 minutes thats great That 5 minutes adds up for me.... Not to mention the fact i only paid $104 for the tool... Gotta love Student discount on Snapon of 50%...

Mark