Van Heating Problems resolved with a Faucet from Menards

Here's a quick description of how I resolved my poor antifreeze circulation issue on my 2001 Pontiac Montana (Venture / Silhouette). This would likely work on any vehicle with a high point in the coolant system that is difficult to bleed / for the air out of.

[@emmettturner9452]

I’ve drained to flush my cooling system and replace the thermostat multiple times and never had an issue with bleeding. I just bleed it like the manual says and the heat works fine. It’s usually still up on ramps from when I drained everything so maybe that helps.
Open water pump bleeder (passenger side).
Fill radiator until water comes out of water pump bleeder.
Close bleeder and cap radiator.
Start engine and turn on both heaters (front and rear).
Squeeze upper radiator tube while burping the water pump bleeder until the thermostat opens.
Bleed the thermostat housing bleeder and burp the water pump bleeder.
Rev the engine a bit and burp them both again before you close it all up and you’re done.

[@villapinstriping]

Still holding up? Has the overheating stopped completely?

[@brucebivens4076]

Your a genius dude

[@chadlawrence8140]

What's the link that you were talking about ? The one with the write up?

[@blacklight3330]

There is a tool to fill the coolant in your cooling system. It call "coolant vacuum fill kit". Bleeding and burping will not work if your heater core is sitting higher than your engine or radiator. With this kit, it will eliminate all the air pocket in your cooling system. You can find it on eBay for around 35 dollars. Best of luck to anyone with 3.4l engine.

[@geopowless3452]

I didn’t see to link to the others videos for heating issues

[@markatkinson614]

Can you fill it thru valve when cold , too. ? I suspect head gasket leaking air in thru gasket on compression stroke.

[@ryanlegere9356]

Do you add fluid through the ball valve or through the rad cap

[@chuckhooper25]

Did you add the water hose attachment after or before you replace the water pump

[@raybeaudry463]

Did anyone find the link to the overheating write up???

[@indiajesuslovesyou]

When do you open the valve? James

[@gunruxtian]

James Sasse only when I need to add coolant. Btw, It's been on there now for about 6 months through the heat of summer and it has held up totally fine.

[@indiajesuslovesyou]

Thankyou!

[@frankiesemailfd]

Genius

[@hugh3rdof5]

Like your creative approach. You mentioned near the end that you were going to include a link to a web page where somebody had more detailed ideas for this chronic/miserable problem. Yet where's the link? Not seeing it. By chance are you referring to this? www.route66hotrodhigh.com/FriggingHeat.html (somewhat similar to your solution, though a bit more convoluted)

[@tfived4339]

hugh3rdof5 Yes! I forgot to actually insert this link, Thanks! That is the web page I was referring too! Btw, It turns out that the root cause of this issue was a leaking lower intake manifold gasket. The coolant was leaking out and small air pockets would form in the system preventing circulation. The good news is that this solution worked for about a year and a half. The bad news is that I am now replacing my lower intake manifold gasket :-) I do think I’ll put this faucet back on though because it’s a really easy way to fill up the coolant system.