I'm looking to do a coolant flush since it's been 10 years for my MY05 (I'm not sure if the previous Owner had done a coolant replacement). I've looked at the pages by Billman and Darcyw along with other coolant flushing videos on-line. I bought a Lisle 24680 because of what people recommended.

My question has to do with the process of opening the air bleeder valve to let the air out. With the funnel, am I able to not undo the air bleeder valve and just let the coolant "burp" out the air into the funnel? It sounds like opening the valve creates a lot of mess with the coolant spilling out and I would like to avoid that.

Basically, just drain the old coolant, put in the new coolant with the funnel on, then run the engine until all the air is out. Not unscrewing the air bleeder valve during the entire process.

Thoughts?

 

Open the bleeder a tiny bit and then start filling your fresh fluid in the radiator, once fluid is coming out the bleeder tight it down again.
There's going to get a lot of air trapped in there if you don't open it, you can get it out after lots of burping but it will take a lot longer time.
I put a clear bit of hose on my bleed valve and routed it down in a cup, no spill at all

 

I didn't crack bleeders at all the three times I've done this. Just slap that Lisle funnel on, fill up with coolant till the funnel is about midway full, then start the engine. Turn the heat on full blast and let the thing idle. Make sure you check the funnel often and keep it about midway full at all times. A couple minutes later you shouldn't be seeing any more bubbles in the funnel and your heat should be HOT. Turn the engine off and let everything cool down before jamming the stopper in the funnel and removing. Cap back on, make sure the overflow tank is filled, and you're good to go.

 

yup ^ what he said! that Lisle funnel is awesome!!