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front mount radiators
arthur8804 - December 30th, 2011 at 08:02 AM

For those of you that a running a front mount radiator (particularly on a buggy), how and waht are you using to ensure that there are no air pockets in the radiator lines. I know that the rear mounted radiators do not get good reviews, but a guy I know that works for a subi to vw specific place here in the states tells me that that is how they do it and it works well. Please let me know as I am trying to get all of my bits and pieces together to make it work.


Joel - December 30th, 2011 at 01:54 PM

Just make sure you coolant lines have no high spots and you will be fine.

Just burp the air out the radiator cap if its got one or ones that don't have an air bleed hose.


TCS_58 - December 30th, 2011 at 08:45 PM

Actually I'm looking for some ideas/solutions on a front mount rad too for a street application. Anyone here know of a good direction to put me in without cutting bulk holes out of the front tin..


arthur8804 - December 31st, 2011 at 01:57 AM

I plan on creating a channel under the pan using 2 pieces of "c" channel metal. I will run the plumbing through there and then cover with a piece of stainless sheet metal. This will mean that the plumbing will have to have a low spot. It's the only way that I can get plumbing to the front without hacking up the fiberglass. That being said I'd there a way to combat air pockets?


ian.mezz - December 31st, 2011 at 10:20 AM

its easy you just put a air bleed bolt in top of your radiator.
you should just look under the hood of some Toyota, Subaru and see how their cooling systems work.
Some Subaru's have a air bleed near the heater tap at the firewall and Toyota have radiator caps mounted into the radiator hose.
BMW have a little pump that pumps water around the heater system.
the first of the water cooled Kombi here in Oz have a big arse radiator behind the front grill and it just has a bleed bolt in top corner of the radiator.


Adsman - December 31st, 2011 at 12:43 PM

just put a bleed tap/fitting in the highest front point and one in the highest back point. You can also put a burp tank in the back to assist with filling and air accumulation if your worried. you can buy bleed tap/fitting of all sorts on radiator caps and pipe sections or weld in type. Go to a custom radiator fab shop and see what they offer.


jboxjohnny - January 29th, 2012 at 11:44 PM

I used 2 bleeders on the each main line.
With the radiator up front and overflow.
I raised the front end and filled the system.
Open 1 bleeder at a time got the air out.
Let it sit for a couple of days with the front raised a checked levels.
You can also try to crack the hoses while running.
I have a heater core on the rear tray which is the highest point on the system.
I just cracked the hose air came out then fluid and all set.


jboxjohnny - January 29th, 2012 at 11:45 PM

I used 2 bleeders on the each main line.
With the radiator up front and overflow.
I raised the front end and filled the system.
Open 1 bleeder at a time got the air out.
Let it sit for a couple of days with the front raised a checked levels.
You can also try to crack the hoses while running.
I have a heater core on the rear tray which is the highest point on the system.
I just cracked the hose air came out then fluid and all set.