Expert: Roland Finston - 12/8/2011

Question
I took about 13 quarts of coolant, (including overflow tank), out of the system to install new radiator.    I can only get about 1 gal back into the system.     Is there an air bleed screw / bolt somewhere on the coolant side of one of the heads or the block?     I need to get this done!      Your help is appreciated.
I would love to find a good set of drawings of this engine.      Would Alldata have that?       Thanks.

Answer
Hi Roger,
I don't find there to be any relief plug to release trapped air. The stated capacity of the system including the overflow is 10.5 quarts, so unless you had (and bought) a larger capacity old radiator I don't believe you will be able to put back 13. It does say that when you fill the radiator and the bottle to at least the full/hot level you should then drive it long enough to get it to operating temp. Then after it cools down and trapped air rises in the radiator, when you start up again during the reheat air will be forced over to the coolant recovery bottle (and water from the CRS drawn into system) and consequently you should check frequently for the fluid level in the CRS bottle to drop as the result of air bleeding out.
So I would believe if you do that and keep adding/checking frequently that ultimately you will get 10.5 qts back in.
I don't have experience with what Alldata shows. But I can endorse the Chrysler Service manuals. I have purchased these used on eBau and if you are patient you should be able to get one for $10-15 including media mail shipping. The '99 is gray in color and has the number 81-270-9121 on the back cover.
Roland
PS Thanks much for the rating and nomination.