any tips on accessing the thermo cover bleeder?

[Olyar15]

Changing the coolant, following the service manual. Everything is going well, although it took a while to find the front engine drain plug. Now I've run into a problem. How the heck do you get to the bleed bolt on the thermostat cover? It is buried under a lot of hoses and wires. I can barely see it, let alone reach it. Is there any special technique? Do I have to remove the air filter? I have the SOS metal overflow tank, if that makes any difference.

Would it be a problem if I don't open this one bleeder? (i.e. would the air work its way out of the other three bleeders?)

 

[d.n]

You want to open that bleeder. It's easy enough to get to. If you're really struggling, take off the air intake tube as you mentioned. Use a boxend wrench on it and don't over torque it when you're tightening it back up.

 

[pgilliam1]

^ +1

 

[nikey22]

I use an extension and wobble end, works perfect.
You don't want to ignore this one, there is air trapped there all the time, should be vented a few times during the coolant change.

 

[Olyar15]

Thanks for the replies. Removing the air cleaner did the trick. I was able to sneak a box wrench under the remaining hoses to reach the bleeder.