What is a Vacuum Coolant Refiller, and why do You Need One?

Several viewers asked about how these vacuum coolant filling tools work and why vacuum filling is a good idea. So, let's just try it!
OEM Tools 24444 - amzn.to/2ZFuHkn
Mario's video on the same tool - • Use a vacuum coolant ...
Super Mario Diagnostics - / @supermariodiagnostics

[@Very_Angry_Citizen]

"....... you're gonna want to point this end of the hose at the new guy......" - Thanks, I had a mouth full of coffee when this gem hit.

[@dbga30184]

He said that like it was a regular part of the procedure. That's hilarious.

[@platnmbl23]

😅😂

[@johanea]

“You may like to point this towards the new guy. “ Oh, it is so beautiful and poetic ❤️

[@mw5905]

I like his description of an "expedited field repair" that was on one of these videos...lol

[@WatchWesWork]

Having been the new guy many times, I know how it goes...

[@silasmarner7586]

@@WatchWesWork my buddy who was an honor guard used to aim the ejected hot shells towards the person to his right. The person to his right was the "new guy".

[@BMC1100]

This is why you can't be allowed to make silent videos.

[@donniebrown2896]

@@WatchWesWork when I was in commercial sheet metal, the new guy was the one that had to follow our supervisor up a 40' ladder, he didn't know the boss loved pickled eggs and beer.

[@BrodieBr0]

I always use one of these and they're especially handy on closed cooling systems. Love every one of your videos Wes, I've learned a lot!

[@MyLegacyGarage]

Hey Wes I just wanted to drop a note and let you know I appreciate you sharing your vast knowledge and technical know how with us amateurs. Keep up the great work!

[@monvque]

Thanx so much for the comprehensive review! I appreciate all you guys who take the time to post helpful tools and repair insights. Ciao.

[@Cochise6-6-6]

Didn't know I needed this tool, would make my life a lot easier filling 35+ tractors than the old 5 gallon bucket while balancing on a stool and aiming trick, thanks Wes, keep doing you brother.

[@mryoung3399]

Those are great. Had one for years. The no spill funnel is awesome as well. I usually only use the vacuum filler on problem engines, but the no spill funnel doesn’t fit all the time. Great video again.

[@jamesshawjr5299]

Very informative. Thank you for showing me something new. I've been turning wrenches for 34 years now and I never even heard of this tool before!! It's pretty cool!!

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

Very detailed tutorial, enjoyed watching it! Honored to be part of it bud, thanks for the shout out!

[@WatchWesWork]

Awesome to see you here! Your video really sold me on these tools.

[@jeffreyneihart1614]

I could have used one of these for my Taurus!! Thanks for the very informative video. I always learn something!!! Thanks again and keep them coming!!

[@earboit5145]

I’ve seen a lot of videos of people vacuum filling and have never seen anyone purge the air from the coolant filler line, kinda thought they missed the point of what they were doing. I’m glad I saw your latest video and didn’t buy the eBay version. I’ve been on the fence for a while deciding which product I’d buy. You’ve sold me, now just need to find something available to Australia. Great work mate 👍

[@thegunbuilder]

I hated doing any cooling system jobs, until I started using one of these. Game changer for me!

[@overboostn]

I have the U-view Airlift ($120) at the shop, saves SO MUCH time after a radiator or water pump replacement. They are a must on a lot of the newer vehicles, almost impossible to bleed them without it.

[@williamd6967]

Iv been a mechanic for a lot of years but I refer to utube all the time for new jobs I'm not familiar with.This guy is a excellent instructor.Smart well spoken doesn't take stupid short cuts.I haven't used this pressure sys yet on a duromax duell thermostat R&R but I damn sure am about to.Many thanks.William Montgomery Al Rolltide!

[@curtiscoon6299]

great video Wes. Great description of the tool and why. I, personally, love your content and the amount you explain. Let the neigh sayers bleat on about what you are doing wrong and ignore them. I'm sure that the majority of us like what you do as you are doing it. If not, then we wouldn't keep coming back. thanks Wes.

[@greggb3079]

Great informational video. As always excellent narration and explanation. Thank you sir.

[@johnz8210]

Great demo. These vacuum tools work very well - if anybody is hesitant to get one, don't be. You'll wonder why you didn't get one years ago.

[@gregdiaz5788]

Thanks Wes for sharing that video that looks like a very handy tools to have

[@krisley5178]

Thanks Wes. I've known about those vacuum systems, but never seen it done. I may have to buy one someday. 👍

[@tectalabyss]

Hi Wes. I have been on the fence about getting one of these tools. Guess you made my mind up and I will be getting one. Has always Liked,shared. All my best.

[@JOHNSUE28]

Had one for years, Wes. Good to see you advancing with the times!

[@Bannimann2]

1:38 Wes: "I hate funnels, they're terrible tools, they're always dirty..." Also Wes: Standing with a very clean and crisp funnel in his hand, hoovering over a very filthy, oily and dusty goose neck jug! 🤣🤣🤣

[@frostythehelmet]

These tools are great I have two versions in my workshop, but they do need a brief warning from my experience, the vacuum refill is good on new systems but on older systems by vacuuming the system the rubber pipes suck in on themselves, on old pipes I have found that this can cause them to split internally, admittedly they are already weakened, but nothing worse than doing a quick coolant change and the cars comes back in weeks with a split or leaking old pipe! Great kit in the right application!

[@vincebrown5158]

I was waiting for the chain to go sailing across the shop...

[@arnteriksen5773]

Thanks for this video. Im strugling with filling my cooling system on my boat. Buying this directly....to Sweden

[@butler386]

Looks like a great system. Thanks for sharing.

[@MrJacksaun]

I use a similar watering jug to yours use, except I've attached a two and a half foot long piece of hose with a clamp, and I never spill a drop. I watch videos like yours because being a shade tree mechanic, there's always someone you can learn from, and why not take advice from an expert. Keep the videos coming, and thanks again.

[@leecarroll1817]

Hey Wes, Having one of those vacuum filler tools would really have been handy a few decades ago in Bosnia winterizing US ARMY TRUCKS equipment. Yes all we had was 55 gal drums of 100% antifreeze and had to dilute. Yes they were inspected by a cheesey PIA inspector and had to be at -35F level of protection. Not above or below. Yes it was a time consuming task. We dealt with it as we were making almost $10,000 a mo.

[@pltmann]

I got one of these thru your link . Slick took . Fast and easy . Fill and drive . Works great !

[@tedwagner7263]

Tool worked out great. Found a small hole in filler bottle didn't know I had. Thanks

[@9jfd1]

Nice video! Always a good idea to place coolant that you intend to fill at or above the surge/expansion tank.

[@smathet7766]

I've been using that for 8 years now and I love it.

[@chadkochmann7958]

Great video. Thank you for the still camera and quality video.

[@caprice572009]

Great video Wes. While the cheap one works for the "home owner," I agree the OEM one is a better quality device, especially for shop use.

[@kutamsterdam]

Wes i know a lot of guys already complimented you on your "You may like to point this towards the new guy. “ comment but i can't be left behind, ... i almost choked so it's a good one and it put a grin on my face! ... again it was a joy to watch you work🛠, thanks 😉

[@jlucasound]

You are Great!! I Love to "Watch Wes Work"!

[@mischef18]

Actually this is the first time I have seen one and seen it in action so thanks for the video bro, loved the reference to the new guy too. Stay safe

[@canelofacts5815]

Hi Sir are you still to run idle and take its operating temperature ? Thank you

[@ronniewilliz153]

9:50 😂point it at the new guy. Nice kit without spending a bunch of money. 👊👍

[@DangerousSportsForSeniors]

Thanks for sharing. Same concept on motorcycles. Sure beats hanging the bike by the front wheel.

[@BlindBatG34]

Thanks Wes. I snagged one off of Amazon using your link the other day. I’ve been wanting to try one of these things for a while but I’ve been waiting until I knew I’d need it and the tool man was in town. I just don’t trust unknown chineesium tools unless recommended from a reputable source. You probably saved me $100 on the Tool Truck for the same tool with a different sticker.

[@Aventuras_en_Moto_Hn]

thanks for sharing this information is very valuable....

[@kennethmilus1533]

As soon as I saw this vid, I went on Amazon and bought the same as you for 57.00. Thanks going to love this

[@akbychoice]

Now it’s $78

[@dangerrangerlstc]

I know I'm a little late to the party, but I use these quite a bit in my shop. Mine is a Cornwell one. We used to use the electric pump like you described. For a while we had problems with Cummins EGR coolers failing often and putting coolant in the exhaust. We started using the vacuum fillers and the problem dropped quite a bit. Thought is the corigation on the EGR cooler pipes was holding onto air bubbles and causing hot spots in the cooler. The vacuum eliminates the bubbles so there's less failures.

[@grahampickard3325]

Wasn't sure how it was supposed to work. Now I do. Many thanks.

[@Northernstar9370]

Dang it Wes! Another great tool I gotta buy with out the wife finding out! Lol! Great demo, this will be going on the short list to acquire soon. Thanks!

[@bambambundy6]

I got the cheap one a year ago. I ended up putting the fluid in a jug and could sit it in the engine bay. It worked!

[@phooesnax]

Nice. Thank You for the video. Jim. Really like the idea... I use a reclaim tank and vac pump to change/pull out small engine oil.

[@WatchWesWork]

I recently bought a fluid extractor. That's another tool I can't believe I lived without!

[@wes11bravo]

Just watched this in an effort to both educate myself and kill the last part of my workday. I bought this tool on your recommendation and plan on using it on my POS '07 Jeep XK.

[@MetrologyEngineer]

I swear I watched a little while ago by someone that sounds just like you... Either I have a new superpower of watching KZbin videos from the future or apparently I'm subscribed to KZbin channels that produce the same content.

[@dennisward1361]

Thanks Wes ,never seen one ,plan on getting one . God bless .

[@Ottonic6]

More for industrial or Diesel engines which have a more complicated system so to speak, but for my little Honda & Chrysler 300 my Spill-Free Funnel works great. It takes a little longer and you do need to run the engine long enough to open the thermostat. Having bleeders in both cars is a big plus. And an air compressor is not required. Great info Wes. Thanks!

[@craigsudman4556]

Great video Wes, thumbs up.

[@charleswilson3949]

Just bought one thanks for the video

[@johngibson3594]

Great explanation and video thanks

[@fitzmeister5992]

Well done video. Thanks!

[@billbly1691]

Great video look forward to seeing your videos thanks

[@rgmoore]

Wes, I don't know, I've been told these things suck. Thanks for sharing!

[@SHarris64]

I've also used a method using a 5 gal pail with a barbed hose fitting installed at the bottom of the pail with a 10' length of clear hose. The cooling system needs to have a drain cock on it though. You drain the coolant with the bucket sitting on the floor and then use the same drain cock to refill the system, but put the bucket up higher that the engine and it fills from the bottom up. Works great and you don't get any air in the system.

[@SluSharkND]

I love your real world tool reviews. I respect a guy who knows what he's doing and can make a recommendation that he's actually using. Now, if you replace your image with an animated bear and start recommending tools you don't really use, I may reconsider.

[@cgoodwin2875]

Well thanks for that, now I need another tool. I used to work on old indirect PSA diesels and they used to spit cylinder head gaskets off at the slightest excuse. They also didn't have a separate header tank or bleed valve - I often wondered how many went due to air locks. This toy may well save a few cylinder heads. Cheers.

[@lloydweems6237]

I bought one of these vacuum systems to refill the coolant on my Fusion Hybrid. This is the best way to fill a system absolutely no mess and the system was completely filled.

[@deanh7190]

Good honest review.

[@sonofmontezuma3732]

thats os a very useful tool especially when dealing with large capacity coolant system ,like heavy equipment or glass 8 trucks

[@jerryglen986]

Any future videos with the family ? Really nice. Watching you work with your wife, and watching your son running around . He's adorable.

[@WatchWesWork]

They went on vacation without me...

[@callen6893]

Been using one for over a decade. Started off with a Snap On one that worked ok. The part I didn’t like about it is you had to hold down a button to apply/keep the vacuum going. Currently I use an AirLift brand one which has the valves like the one you have. A couple of things I do a little different then you (not that either way is right or wrong) is I put the grommet on the tool first then out the tool on the tank. I also partially fill the system and then reapply a vacuum to the system just Incase there is some how an air pocket (obviously there shouldn’t be, but ocd gets ahold of me sometimes). Then just continue to fill the system. I’ve never bleed the fill hose (again nothing wrong with doing so). I have noticed they can overfill the tank a little.

[@rogercpate4386]

Cool tool. Refilling coolant has never been high on my list of part of repair regimen of cooling system problems.

[@Very_Angry_Citizen]

Wes, you ROCK bro. You're in the same league as Project Farm and Car Wizard. Keep'em coming and we'll keep watching.

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks! Will do!

[@smokinjoe6924]

bought one maybe 10 years ago paid a lot more back then but works nice no air pockets and no mess

[@GjS-UK]

Another great video, thanks. I went straight to Amazon after watching and the OEM tool is completely sold out in the UK. I guess you have a lot of viewers over here for it to sell out that wuickly👍

[@WatchWesWork]

I would guess it is being sold under another name in the UK. But I don't know.

[@GjS-UK]

It’s listed, but out of stock. Thanks for replying.

[@dougkelley1266]

Wes that tool is awesome. I will definitely buy one

[@filmbluff99]

I just hate those tool cases that require lots of time to replace the tool before the lid will fit. Keep the videos coming Wes.

[@RayBenson45]

Awesome wes keep up the videos love them do more tractor stuff love those

[@WatchWesWork]

Thanks! Will do!

[@DieselCreek]

Wowzers! I’ve got the rad out of my dt466 right now and I sure wish I had that thing!!!

[@WatchWesWork]

Well let me spend some of your money for you...

[@DieselCreek]

Watch Wes Work sorry, the wife has that position locked up!

[@anthonysova7117]

Nice vid. My buddy owns a radiator shop he says this removes all doubt will solve many problems

[@chrisstokes964]

I also recommend power (or pressure) bleeders for brake and hydraulic clutch systems.less than $100 for a name brand one with good adapters. Changed my life, never need another person to bleed again

[@mistertonygee]

Great video, really enjoyed learning how to use thia device, even tho i dont have it yet. Funny part of the vid, "this hang chain is useless" but somehow it actually looks pretty useful when you actually used it. Lol.

[@45AMT]

That's a pretty sweet tool!

[@bryantblake1877]

Nice video Wes!

[@mikahakkinen5651]

hi.great explainig,and thats looking to be a great tool.

[@9856CB]

Thanks for the info

[@seastacker8582]

Dang it Wes. Another tool I must buy because I saw it on you tube. 🤦🏼‍♂️😆

[@zyspan]

well thought out

[@rimmersbryggeri]

We used to put the jug we put the new coolant in on a transmission jack. Same when filling AdBlue for the cars that use that in the peugeot shop where I used to work.

[@clarencewiles963]

Thumbs up 👍 deference is the key

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

Great video 🙂👍 there is almost nothing worse than filling up coolant and having the funnel still full 🤬 lol

[@brian395]

vacuum filling cooling systems is the best option a lot of vehicles it a necessity to avoid air pockets

[@gtb81.]

anyone with a mechanics shop must have this tool, holy crap thats fantastic! (as long as you aren't the new guy)

[@thirdcargarage2951]

Damn good vid brother.

[@natefidalgo7625]

Nice video, can beat funnels on some vehicles for refills neat tool if you got a air compressor near by

[@JeffLMisc]

my funnel of choice for that stuff seems to be a 5 gallon pail, with a bulkhead fitting in it, and a piece of hose coming out of it. works good. although, the vacuum system looks a lot easier.

[@natefidalgo7625]

Nice video I recently bought a tool like this. But haven't got a chance to use it yet. Definitely great for getting all air purged out and filling the coolant with no mess as I can see. However I was curious can this tool also be used to evacuate/bleed all the coolant.

[@thomasstewart9368]

Thanks Wes 👍

[@nvlvdave]

Neat tool and great video. Question: How do you avoid overfilling? I noticed the reservoir was full.

[@483SGT]

I know this is old, but if anyone else is wondering, there's naturally only enough vacuum to fill it. It won't overflow

[@beachtimehawaiibth7222]

Thank you!

[@bcbloc02]

Probably could rig it to hold oil in a tank as well. We use a vaccum deal on the combines and sprayers so you can replace a hose or o-ring and not have to drain the system.

[@aserta]

One good mod for this would be to find a drain fitted bucket (extra work, i know, but saves you the foot action). That could also be fitted with one of those Y line filters to kick out any contaminants as well.

[@masonsims8457]

I use the airlift brand. Nice when your filling a 15 gallon cooling system on a trash truck with a reservoir that’s 10 feet above the ground. The stock hoses are always too short, I bought some bulk clear hose and I can fill a truck up a bay over.

[@idrisddraig2]

I am lucky my current car (Volkswagen T5) has a senssible drain at the bottom, fill at the top, system designed to be easy to fill/flush. BUT my two previous vehicles a Misubishi Delica L400 with a 4M40 Diesel and a Mazda Bongo diesel had systems that NEEDED something like this, I didn't know they existed so I made my own version using an old fridge motor as a vacuum pump.

[@GreyRockOne]

Nice work and Thank You! My 02 Chrysler had to use a funky OEM fill funnel with a vent to fill the tank, this would have made it easy! Too bad you didn't know how cheap that Chinese kit was before you bought it, although I think you may have..

[@pontiacmaniac2]

Thanks Wes, this will be great, I just replaced the radiator on a 2012 smart car, and the coolant system on that puppy is pretty.....well..................... I'll say German engineered, this will be great. Thanks again.