Yes, it is perfectly normal for water to escape when a radiator is bled. You'll likely notice some drips emerging when initially turning the
If no water or air comes out when you bleed the radiator, then the valve could be blocked with paint. Close the inlet and outlet valve at each end of the radiator, then remove the screw from the centre of the bleed valve.
We want to make sure that no water comes out. Occasionally you'll get a bit of water come out as the pressure dissipates from the radiator, but it should stop quickly.
This is an indication that you have debris, a blockage, or most likely, sludge, which has accumulated in the radiator. Hot water is not able to circulate because of the build-up at the bottom of the radiator. The most efficient and safest way to deal with this problem is to seek professional help.
To first answer your question: No, that is not normal and you have a pretty significant leak somewhere. You're having to replace about a quarter of your coolant every couple of days.
Yes, it is perfectly normal for water to escape when a radiator is bled.
If the coolant levels are dropping but there is no apparent leak, there may be another problem, such as: a bad head gasket (causing the coolant to flow into the cylinder and evaporate) an invisible leakage point (you may need to use an air pump and pressure to try to make the leak visible)
It should take less than a minute to bleed a radiator. You'll need a radiator key, a cloth and a tray to capture any drips.
This issue could be caused by a faulty thermostat, an obstruction in the radiator, a fan or the water pump has malfunctioned preventing the coolant from flowing and dissipating heat as intended.
If your home radiators fail to heat up after bleeding, you should first check for issues with your thermostatic radiator valves, such as a stuck pin on the valve. Alternatively, you can perform a radiator power flush or take steps to ensure your heating system is correctly balanced.
The amount of water in a radiator is unlikely to change significantly throughout the day. Once the heating system is filled with water, the same amount of water will circulate through the system and the radiators, heating the space as needed.
What happens if you bleed a radiator for too long? Bleeding the central heating system for an extended period isn't recommended as it can lead to pressure loss in the system. This can result in potential damage to the boiler.
Just a half turn will do in most cases. No more than a full turn is ever needed. Have a towel handy to catch the dribble of water, often it's dark and dirty and may stain walls and carpets. Do not taste this water, it can contain chemicals and/or bacteria.
When bleeding a radiator, only a small amount of water should come out once all the trapped air has been released. Typically, you hear a hissing noise as the air escapes, followed by a steady stream of water.
If you have recently bled your radiators, the pressure will drop slightly because you've released the trapped air in the system. This air needs to be replaced with water to get the pressure back up again.
Aside from the danger of working with a radiator that has the heating on, it's also an inefficient bleeding process. If the pump is running when you let out air, this will actually cause the system to draw in more air from elsewhere.
If you don't have any water coming out of a radiator after bleeding, it means you could have something blocking the bleeder valve, the pressure is insufficient in your central heating system, or it could be something different.
Burping (so named because of the noise made by the bubbles of coolant exiting the radiator filler neck) is done with the radiator cap removed on cars without a valve. You wait for the car to warm up so the thermostat opens, and then the pressure of the expanding coolant being heated drives the air out.
It's perfectly normal for some amount of water to come out when you bleed a radiator. If a large volume of water has poured out, it's possible that you opened the valve fully. We recommend not opening it all the way.
If you don't hear a hissing sound when you turn the radiator key or no water comes out, it could indicate that there is no trapped air in the radiator. Check for other issues that might be affecting your heating system's performance.
If your home has 2 floors you should begin bleeding the downstairs radiators first. It's also advisable to start with the radiator which is furthest away from the boiler. Once you've bled all the downstairs radiators you move on to the upstairs, again beginning with the radiator which is furthest from the boiler.
If the valve becomes blocked or stuck, it may not function properly, resulting in poor heating. To check for valve issues, remove the thermostatic valve head and inspect the raised pin on the valve. If the pin is stuck or seized, gently push it down to free it, ensuring the smooth flow of water through the radiator.
Coolant leak to outside of engine: If you are seeing your coolant level is consistently low or evidence of coolant on the ground, this may be an indication that the head gasket has blown between a coolant passage and the outside of the engine.