Scared. What's the worst thing that can happen if...?

Question

Scared. What's the worst thing that can happen if...?

There is air in the radiator system? I replaced a top radiator hose, ran the car for 10-12 minutes with the radiator cap off after topping up the overflow tank and the radiator. I need to know if it's okay to drive my car now. I'm not a mechanic, just a single mom without the $80 to spend to have a mechanic do this hose thing for me...is my car really ok now, can I drive it? Is it a danger to me personally if there is some air in the system, if I didn't get every last bubble out? Will a few air bubbles blow up my car? Seriously, I am so nervous about this. Thanks for help...

Answer 1

You're fine and sounds like a good job to me ;)
when I replaced my radiator I ran with cap off too..

For safety you can check the water level.for a while and keep eye on temp guage. Take it for a test drive and check for leaks

I think weekly checking car over and carry water, oil and tools is a good idea and save you lots of money ..

Well I think you did a fine job

Answer 2

Everyone is correct, it is okay to drive your vehicle. Since you stated you replaced your top radiator hose, you didn't lose a significant amount of coolant during the replacement procedure. The cooling system retained a large percentage of coolant so the possibility of an air-lock is pretty slim.
Take your vehicle for a short "test-drive", if the temperature gauge starts climbing really fast towards the HOT, then you do have an air-lock but I doubt this will happen, however, if it does....let the car cool down (very important!), open the radiator cap, with the car running and your heater controls set to HOT, add coolant as needed. Close the radiator cap and then test-drive again.
As a side note: A cooling system is NOT an air-tight system....in other words, you will have air (a small amount) in your system....so, "getting every last bubble out" is an impossibility.

Answer 3

If you think you have most of the air out of the system, then you should be ok, it's best to carry a little extra water with you for a while to "top up" with, as after running it for a while a lot of radiators/engines, under these conditions, automatically lose a litlle water while it is circulating through the system, this is nothing to be alarmed over, providing the original problem has been solved. it's usual for the engine when running to expel any remaining air from the system, hence, a drop of water level. Keep a check on your temprature gauge though, in case this was not the only problem, you may hear a couple of weired noises for a while like, the sound of boiling water in a saucepan, (example), just drive with a little gentleness for a while, and this will go. hope this helps you, good luck.

Answer 4

actually those were good answers but if your car has an over flow tank use it to add water dont open your radiator cap it pulls water back into your system as your engine cools from the overflow and on certain vehilces and i dont know if your has it or not the have places to release the air in your cars coolent system because a few bubble build up into a big pocket and lock the flow of water it is usually located in the highest point of the coolent track which is where auto companies somtimes install a bleeder valve a chiltons or haynes manual from a wal mart or autozone might be a big help to you

Answer 5

you can drive your car fine.

just make sure you topped off the radiator as much as you can and then check the level after a short drive, after you let it cool off for half an hour.

air bubbles just purge themselves out through the overflow tank.

Answer 6

park your car facing nose up. then refill your cooling system as necessary.

by parking nose up you make all the air bubbles migrate to the top, so the air should be at the top. none should be trapped in the lower regions although it can still happen.

Answer 7

Worst case air will be traped in a place that will not allow coolant flow.This will cause the engine to overheat.Hope this helps.