# Pouring water into a radiator **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 17, 2015, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pouring-water-into-a-radiator/734915 "2015-10-17T17:40:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pouring-water-into-a-radiator/734915/21 "2015-10-18T18:42:39Z")
Straight 50 probably would plug the leak. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pouring-water-into-a-radiator/734915/22 "2015-10-18T19:13:45Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > Straight 50 probably would plug the leak. No, it definitely would not. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2015, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pouring-water-into-a-radiator/734915/23 "2015-10-18T19:23:36Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > The fluid bubbles as I pour it in; is there a way to do this and be sure I’ve filled the radiator ( the system holds three gallons according to the manual)? You probably can’t get all the air out without using some specialized equipment, but you can get a lot of it out by finding the system’s high point and opening it a bit to bleed out the air. The high point may be a hose connection (radiator/heater/bypass/throttle body) or an actual bleed valve depending on the vehicle. When liquid comes out instead of air, close it up again. I’ve had a lot of success with Bar’s Leaks over the years. It doesn’t always solve the problem, but more often that not it helps and it’s pretty inexpensive. I favor the old-style “pelletized” formula. While it may not be the only brand that works, it’s the only brand I trust to usually work and not plug up the radiator or heater core. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pouring-water-into-a-radiator/734915.md?page=1)