How to Drain Air from Chang'an Star More Effectively?
3 Answers
To drain air from the Chang'an Star, you should open the exhaust port, add coolant to the radiator, and close the exhaust port once water flows out from it. Below are some relevant details about radiator cooling: Precautions when draining: There is a drain plug at the bottom of the radiator. Unscrew it to drain the water, but be cautious as high water temperature can easily cause burns. When refilling with water, air needs to be purged. Some vehicles have a tube under the front hood (below the wipers) that can be pulled out to release air. Once all the air is expelled, water will flow out from the tube. Starting the water circulation: Start the engine and let the water temperature rise until the radiator fan turns on. Then check if the water is circulating, which can usually be observed from the radiator filler port. This marks the end of the circulation process.
I've been driving the Changan Star for years and have plenty of experience with bleeding the cooling system. First, find a slope with the front of the car facing uphill or park on level ground, making sure the engine is completely cool to avoid burns. Then, loosen the expansion tank cap and radiator cap, start the engine to let it idle, and set the cabin heater to maximum heat to activate the circulation system. While doing this, squeeze the thick hoses in the engine bay to help release air bubbles. When you see bubbles emerging, slowly add coolant—take your time. Repeat this process until the coolant level stabilizes and no more bubbles appear. The whole procedure takes about ten minutes, and remember to tighten the caps afterward. If it feels too tricky, I recommend visiting a professional shop where mechanics can use a vacuum bleeding tool for a one-time fix. Regularly bleeding air when changing coolant helps prevent engine overheating.
Once when I helped a friend replace the coolant in their Star van, the engine overheated due to air trapped in the cooling system. Here's a practical solution: When the engine is cold, open the expansion tank cap and fill it with coolant. Start the engine and let it idle, while setting the heater to high temperature and maximum fan speed to keep blowing. This helps the bubbles in the hoses to be carried out by the heater's small circulation loop. Gently squeeze the thick rubber hose running from the main radiator to the engine—if you feel air inside, repeatedly squeeze it to release the trapped air. Keep an eye on the coolant level and top it up as it drops. Once done, the temperature gauge should return to normal. Remember to wear gloves to prevent burns, and beginners are advised to have a partner for safety. The Changan Star has a simple structure, and doing it yourself can save over a hundred bucks in repair costs.
