Suzuki Grand Vitara - engine overheated / poor heater performance: ventilation of the cooling system

If problems occur with the above-mentioned vehicle after the cooling system has been repaired or opened (high engine temperature, poor heater performance), the cooling system has probably not been bled or vented in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. In order to do this, please proceed as follows:

• allow the engine and coolant to cool down!
• Slowly unscrew and remove cap of the coolant expansion tank (Fig. 1). Caution, system under pressure! (Fig. 2)
• Loosen the bleed screw from the thermostat unit, which is located on the back of the engine.
• Fill the coolant tank with coolant (water-antifreeze mix) until it escapes at the bleed screw (Fig. 3)
• Tighten the bleed screw
• Fill the expansion tank to "MAX"
• Replace cap of the expansion tank and tighten it
• Increase engine speed to 1500 rpm until the upper coolant hose becomes hot
• Accelerate the engine 4 times to 3500 rpm and then let it run for 20 minutes at 2000 rpm
• Accelerate the engine a further 4 times to 3500 rpm
• Switch off the engine and let it cool down
• Check coolant level and, if necessary, top up coolant when the engine has cooled down

In some cases it is necessary to repeat the whole process.