2000 6cyl LS - How does the coolant bleed valve work?

[TomPJr]

Hi team, I just acquired a 2000 LS and replaced the DCCV valve (I have the bruised hands to prove it!!). I am now filling the coolant, but while the heater bleed device is easy to operate (it just screws out) the engine bleed valve is a mystery to me. The valve has a little slot in it, which a screw driver can turn around and around, but it does not remove and it does not seem to have enough internal resistance when turned to be operating any sort of valve. Any advice from anyone with experience on this topic??
THanks. Tom

 

[LS4me]

Hi team, I just acquired a 2000 LS and replaced the DCCV valve (I have the bruised hands to prove it!!). I am now filling the coolant, but while the heater bleed device is easy to operate (it just screws out) the engine bleed valve is a mystery to me. The valve has a little slot in it, which a screw driver can turn around and around, but it does not remove and it does not seem to have enough internal resistance when turned to be operating any sort of valve. Any advice from anyone with experience on this topic??
THanks. Tom

It's not supposed to be removed. Follow the bleed procedure EXACTLY!!! Coolant is supposed to flow (though I have NEVER achieved more than a dribble from my 2000 V6) from that tube.

 

[TomPJr]

It's not supposed to be removed. Follow the bleed procedure EXACTLY!!! Coolant is supposed to flow (though I have NEVER achieved more than a dribble from my 2000 V6) from that tube.

Which position is OPEN. I will follow the procedure I found through this Forum, but I need to know when this valve is open vs closed. The procedure simlply states, "Open the bleed valve." Thanks in advance. Tom

 

[LS4me]

Which position is OPEN. I will follow the procedure I found through this Forum, but I need to know when this valve is open vs closed. The procedure simlply states, "Open the bleed valve." Thanks in advance. Tom

Righty tighty, lefty loosy...

Seriously.. Turning to the right should close the valve. You should feel it tighten-up. IIRC, it will spin to the left indefinitely.

 

[murphymusic]

It will come completely out when loose...just have to pull a bit.

 

[TomPJr]

Problem solved.. well kinda... well, really not at all. I struggled to figure out how the bleed valve worked and it wasn't due to my ignorance, it was due to the bleed valve, its housing, and the hose nipple coming from it being completely toasted. Since the slotted round plastic bleed valve facing just turned round and round, with no effect, I figured that I could possibly get the same bleeding capability by disconnecting the small hose from that housing. When I touched my pliers to the clamp, the whole plastic hose nipple disintegrated. I guess 16 years of going from cold to hot to cold over and over again just totally broke down the plastic. So, I am ordering that new hose top section and I'll tackle this problem again when the part arrives. Honestly, I've had the entire engine and gearbox out of my EType in less time that this DCCV valve job has taken - maybe I should just focus on the really old cars!!!!!