Please help w/ bleeding cooling system

[Brava1.6]

I think my brava is hanging by its last thread.

To spend (substantial amount of) money would be uneconomical but I am keeping it (still) for sentimental reason. I am looking for short term resolution to the problem I have with the flooding on the driver's foot well.

Where can I find (exactly) these screws on 1.6 sx brava to bleed the cooling system? Any pictures I would be most grateful. Then how can I do it?

I've been hearing noises that sounds like water sloshing around the back of the dashboard when the engine started in cold condition.

But the water level is good when I looked into the cooling water gauge.

Then yesterday for the first time I found the flooding. Since then I have not check the cooling water gauge again.

Please help...

What is the easiest way to check that the head gasket is going soon other than cjhecking water drips as well as heavy smoking from the exhaust

 

[Shaun Cook]

there is one on the opisite side on the radiator, right at the top on the driver side

and the other is on a pipe at the back of the engine. undo the 2, then fill the expansion bottle right to the top so it pouring out at the top and it should start to pour out at the 2 bleed holes.

and then fasten up and ur done

She's a monster soon to be revealed

If they didnt want it stripping they shouldnt of give me nuts and bolts

Follow My Project
Updated: 12/11/2008

 

[marko]

As a cheaper opion you might want to check the condition of the roof drain gutters on either side of the windscreen bottom - its the area where the hinge elbows sit with the bonnet down.
If they are blocked then water will collect in the bays and can find its way into the cabin via perished bungs and grommets.
If this is not the problem then do check the roof ariel mounting condition since this can fail and let water run all down the A pillar and into the footwell - although the amount of water seems too much for this.

 

[Insomnia]

Could be 2 issues.

Sounds like you've got air in the coolant system, so a bleed of the coolant is a good start.

Water in the footwell could be coming from the drainage ducts in various places (bulkhead area in engine bay and if you've got a sunroof, up there). Failing that, if the the floor is wet it could be the heater matrix is leaking. Get access to the centre console area underneath the dashboard and feel around - if thats a bit damp or even soaking, change the matrix before it takes out the airbag ecu which is located on the floor.

HTH.

Longest Serving BOO Member

Bravo: Nov 01 80SX / 70,000 miles
Coupe: Feb 97 20V N/A / 134,000 miles

 

[kirk]

are the bleeding screws in the same place on 20v?

 

[FiatBrava1.6]

Thank you for the replies! Quite substantial help to start the investigation and hopefully prolong the life of my poor car.

I'll post the result soon after I get my hands around the things you mentioned.