How to Burp a Vehicle's Coolant System

Coolant in a car.

The coolant system on any vehicle, even when the vehicle’s radiator appears to be full, may not adequately cool the vehicle’s engine. This could be because of an air bubble in the car’s cooling system that has developed and is keeping the coolant from getting to the car’s engine. In situations where your radiator is working normally, “burping” the cooling system may be the only way to get the coolant to do its job. Here are three steps to take in order to “burp” your car’s coolant system.

Step 1 - Fill your Car's Radiator

A car engine.

Mix new coolant with water and add this mixture to the radiator and overflow the reservoir until they are both full.

Step 2 - Let the Car Engine Run

A car's engine.

With the radiator cap off, start your car and let it run. As it heats up, watch the temperature gauge to be sure the engine doesn’t overheat. After a few minutes the coolant level will fall, an indication that the trapped air has vacated the car’s cooling system.

Step 3 - Finish

Coolant in a car.

Pour more coolant into the radiator until it is full again. Then replace the radiator cap and turn off your car’s engine.

By following these three easy steps, you will be able to "burp" your car's vehicle coolant system in no time.