top hose air lock question

[CaptonZap]

Howdy,

I have a 95 Ranger, and the top radiator hose comes out of the block, goes up about six inches, then across the top of the engine bay behind the radiator, and then down about six inches to the top radiator inlet.
I just replaced the thermostat, and cannot get all the solution back into the radiator, presumably because the top hose is full of air.
Does anybody have a method of purging the air out of the top hose?
I've considered cutting the hose and putting in a steel sleeve with a petcock in it, so as to bleed the air out, but was wondering if there is a less intrusive way to get the air out.
Thanks for any help.

CZ

 

[adsm08]

Driving it will usually push that air out of the hose and into the top of the radiator. Just drive until you see the temp gauge spike and then top off the radiator.

 

[frdtrknut]

Very typical problem with thermostates. They used to come with a little purge hole that allowed the air to come out easily. They cheapened them up and don't put the hole in any more. You can drill a small hole in the flange of the thermostate that will solve your problem. Use your new gasket to mark the hole location just inside the edge of the gasket so the gasket doesn't block the hole once installed. Hole size of 1/16" or so is all you need.

 

[Road Angels]

besure your top hose is rotated so at no point it is higher than the radiator neck

 

[LearjetMinako]

Sounds like you have the 3.0L engine. I usually squeeze the outlet hose by hand to get as much air out. Or use the lift to put the vehicle nose at a high angle, parking on a steep incline does the same too.

 

[CaptonZap]

Sounds like you have the 3.0L engine. I usually squeeze the outlet hose by hand to get as much air out. Or use the lift to put the vehicle nose at a high angle, parking on a steep incline does the same too.

Yep, you got it.
I'm curious how they filled it at the factory, since they don't have time to diddle with it.
I could run it up a right side bank, but I don't know at what point the oil pickup gets uncovered when the truck is in that attitude.
I'll try sqeezing the tube first, and see what I get that way.
Thanks for the replys.

CZ