The cooling system of a vehicle is responsible for keeping the engine at acceptable operating temperatures. It is made up of several components that work together to circulate coolant and keep the engine cool under the extreme conditions of combustion. One of these components is the air bleed housing assembly. The air bleed housing assembly will usually be the highest point on the engine and will have a bleeder screw mounted on it. Some also serve doubly as water outlets or sensor housings.
Usually, when there is a problem with the air bleed housing assembly the vehicle will produce a few symptoms that can alert the driver that there is a problem to be inspected.
1. Coolant leaks in the engine bay
One of the first symptoms that there is a problem with the air bleed housing assembly is signs of coolant leaks. The housing assemblies found that most modern vehicles are usually made of plastic or metal, which can corrode, leak, or crack over time from contact with coolant. Small leaks may produce steam or a faint smell of coolant from the engine bay, while larger leaks may produce noticeable puddles or pools of coolant in the engine bay or underneath the vehicle.
2. Engine overheating
Another common symptom of a bad or failing air bleed assembly is the engine overheating. This will usually occur as a result of a leak. Small leaks, such as those from cracked housings, can sometimes leak coolant slowly enough to the point that it may not be easily noticeable to the driver. Eventually even a small leak will expel enough coolant to cause overheating, due to a low coolant level.
3. Damaged bleeder valve
Another, less serious symptom is a damaged or stripped bleeder valve. Sometimes a bleeder valve can be accidentally stripped or rounded off, or rusted into the housing and cannot be removed. In these instances, the bleeder valve cannot be opened and the system may be difficult to bleed properly. If any air remains trapped in the system due to improper bleeding, then overheating can occur. Usually, if the valve cannot be removed, the entire housing should be replaced.
Because the air bleeder housing assembly is a part of the cooling system, any problems with it can quickly translate into problems for the entire engine. If you suspect that you may have a problem with your air bleeder housing, or have found that it is leaking, have it inspected by a professional technician, such as one from YourMechanic. If necessary, they will be able to replace your air bleeding housing assembly to ensure that your vehicle stays running in proper order.
