Problem Engine coolant air bleeding

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by ToyotaCoyotta, May 19, 2025 at 12:46 AM.

  1. ToyotaCoyotta

    ToyotaCoyotta New Member

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    I have first drained and then refilled coolant on engine coolant reservoir, when refilling i unscrewed the air bleed bolt, everything seemed fine but a little suspicious because i’m pretty sure i spilled like a glass or more but after refilling it was full, The next morning I came to the car and I saw that there’s some coolant missing, I was like “great, I will open the lid now, let it run in maintenance mode and when theres 100% no air in it, i’ll fill up the remaining, However, after 10 mins of maintenance mode and 100% heat+ fan, my coolant reservoir appears full now, I didnt fill in anything, so I’m assuming theres air in the system and I have no idea how to bleed it out now considering I unscrewed bleed bold when refilling and did the maintenance mode thing... any help will be appreciated
     
  2. wukong sun

    wukong sun Junior Member

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    Without OBD equipment, I filled the coolant to the B mark, started the engine in maintenance mode, and ran it for about half an hour. The cooling fan started to rotate, indicating that the coolant began to circulate. Then I idled at 1500 rpm for 10 minutes to allow the coolant to circulate and exhaust the air naturally. Idle for 5 minutes and shut down.
    After the engine is turned off, the coolant will be at high temperature and pressure. Do not unscrew it to add coolant to avoid steam burns. Wait until tomorrow morning to fill up the coolant.
     
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  3. ToyotaCoyotta

    ToyotaCoyotta New Member

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    Thanks for reply I will try, can you please explain how did you idle at 1500 rpm, did you turn off maintenance mode and just use gas pedal to keep it at 1500 rpm?
     
  4. wukong sun

    wukong sun Junior Member

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    As far as I can remember, if you press the accelerator within 50%, it runs at 1500 rpm, and if you press the accelerator over 50%, it runs at 2500 rpm.
     
  5. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    The key to not getting air pockets is to fill VERY SLOWLY...... About a cup at a time, wait 5-10 seconds.
    Then another cup, wait, repeat. It will take longer to fill, but you won't need to burn money in maintainence mode.
    for hours..... Fill it to the "B" mark. If you fill it slowly, you'll hear the coolant draining, and the air being pushed
    out. Those who fill quickly, create pockets so the air can't escape. I've done it that way for all the vehicles and
    have never had issues with air pockets. I've done it at least 4 times on my Prius. No air pockets.

    After filling, start the engine and let it idle until it shuts off on it's own. Check the coolant level. It's likely right at
    the "full" mark. Top off if it's needed. Then drive the car around the block for 5-10 minutes making sure the engine
    runs as much as possible. Then part the car on level ground, shut it off. Go clean all the tools you use and put them
    away. Maybe 10 minutes. Check the coolant level. It's likely at the full make, again, ad as needed.



     
  6. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    And the two threes that we had here we filled them up like Chapman talks about up to that silly Mark past the full mark take the car out for a drive time we get back with the car it's definitely warmed and heated up let it sit I don't know about an hour maybe a tad longer come out lift the hood and it's sitting right on the bee Mark or a full Mark sorry and that's that never had to look at it again but you always do anytime you lift the hood your eyes go right to that pink nonsense