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

[@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.

[@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]

😅😂

[@Cochis3]

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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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

[@thegunbuilder]

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

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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! 🤣🤣🤣

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@johnreid2837]

I bought this system four years ago when I first saw your video and it works great.

[@Mark-um3hm]

Nice tool, but you need some kind of compressor? I’ll stick to the spill proof funnel👍

[@rruusskk]

We got one for the shop. We immediately noticed that after using it to fill all the cars with coolant that a good percentage was coming back with radiator and heater core leaks. They were not able to take the vacuum when the plastic radiator caps get old and brittle. They were designed and braced for internal pressure, not for an external one. It worked great but we stopped using it because of that.

[@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.

[@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.

[@JOHNSUE28]

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

[@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.

[@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 👍

[@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.

[@vincebrown5158]

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

[@smokinjoe6924]

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

[@ronniewilliz153]

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

[@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.

[@smathet7766]

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

[@pltmann]

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

[@brian395]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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 😉

[@Rynoserous]

Little tip. For the diesel owners. When you buy DEF fluid boxes, they come with a extendable neck filler tube. They screw directly onto coolant bottles. You are welcome.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@tedwagner7263]

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

[@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.

[@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!!

[@PatrickBaptist]

@1:40 YOU SAID IT, people bug me on some of my videos about why I didn't use a funnel... They get dirty even when you store them they wind up with dust/bugs/spider webs in them. Super rare I use one too.

[@akbychoice]

The very reason I love the ones I have with caps on both openings.

[@PatrickBaptist]

@@akbychoice Ah I'd lose the caps or step on them and break them... lol.

[@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.

[@arnteriksen5773]

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

[@DangerousSportsForSeniors]

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

[@rgmoore]

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

[@rogercpate4386]

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

[@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.

[@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...

[@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!

[@JamesDoylesGarage]

This was really an excellent tutorial. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@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.

[@sonofmontezuma3732]

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

[@imysteryman]

I have been drilling a 1/8 inch hole in the thermostat to avoid the problem of the air lock, some not all thermostats come with a small notch in the plate or a weep hole in them. The only difference with the small hole is it takes about a minute longer to get to operating temp. My wife had a Buick Skyhawk and every morning the car temp gauge would get close to the red line then it would be fine until the next day after it cooled down, so I drilled the small hole and it never had the problem again.

[@jlucasound]

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

[@grahampickard3325]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@krisley5178]

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

[@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.

[@greggb3079]

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

[@bostedtap8399]

Great vlog Wes, annoying thing about the eBay Rip off item, is it probably only costs a few dollars to make, but is priced up to look comparable to a genuine engineered item. It really annoys me that a manufacturer has developed a product from prototypes, testing, then some unscrupulous toe tag, just copies and knows his customers cannot return it. Thanks for sharing.

[@WatchWesWork]

Yeah. And to be fair, it does work. But it's just not nice to use.

[@slypig24]

Do you think collapsing the hoses causes any damage to old coolant hoses ? I do like the radiator hoses with the internal stainless steel coiled springs that stop hoses collapsing.

[@Ottonic6]

If it does compromise the old hose, it should probably be replaced anyway. As far as reinforced hoses. I assume just won't collapse. Should be no harm.

[@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

[@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.

[@WCGwkf]

Just ordered one for 82 bucks and used the link, I think it will be well worth it. Maybe I missed it but if the engine is cold how do you get coolant through the engine and also into the heater core? I have a common problem with my 97 f150 that air is trapped in the heater core since its above the coolant bottle. Will be nice to get it out

[@RubenKelevra]

I just use a 5 Liter canister and put it on the engine, with a big clear pipe attached. When I tilt the canister 90° it will fill the coolant tank. Those canisters have a second cap, on the other side and you can open and close it to change the flow rate. It works pretty good for me.

[@chadkochmann7958]

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

[@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.

[@MrVailtown]

Read 98% comments. One thing that comes to mind is , I installed refer's in trailers n did other AC/refrigeration. You braise/silver solder a system open with nitrogen purge, then pressurize system with nitrogen to 100 -125 psi. , then set to hold pressure. You go thru spray/wipe down joints that been heated. You watch gauge & it had to maintain pressure where you set it at for 20 minutes while you picked up , cleaned or did other steps. Then you release pressure n put on a vacuum pump or two depending on capacity of system , go to lunch 30 minutes , (ate when ya could) n typically would be in a deep vacuum as shown by micron gauge. Always amazed me a system that hold 125 psi , you find a leak by pulling a vacuum. Yes we pulled to under 300 microns or lower. So then you re-pressurize lots of times in 250 range to find a minuscule leak that would hardly even show a bubble that would grow so slow might take 10 sec or more to barely start to form, then longer to grow. Was not often. Always made you Shake your head. So draw a really deep vacuum , hmm. Think I'd start with a 15 psi at first.

[@gregdiaz5788]

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

[@mikebaz7843]

Benz have a factory tool like this, only issue I've had is some of the diesel plastic coolant housings (that are falling apart anyway) actually snap the inner plastic ring retaining the o-ring to the head after being vacuumed down and then start leaking, I guess it's a similar outcome if you pressure test your cooling system and something fails, better to know now than down the road.

[@Jacob-de-Veroveraar]

I am looking for a version that is especially designed for air cooled engines. But they're hard to find.

[@WatchWesWork]

Snap On probably makes one.

[@Dingbat217]

:-)

[@wes11bravo]

I've been informed that version is on backorder along with the diesel spark plugs and left handed ty-wraps I need to finish my Deutz Tesla swap project.

[@pagepro211]

@@zlmdragon. you again, you asked the same ques. on another channel.. nobody answers dumb questions.

[@akbychoice]

You find them in the section where the antifreeze for VW Thing is.

[@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!

[@CodycoWeb]

Late watching this but they are great tools and work well on most engines. Vacuum leak down test can be misleading as I have had it suck some leaks shut and they leak with pressure but hold vacuum ok. In the olden days my dad would put an aspirin in the thermostat then fill the system. The aspirin would allow the air to escape thru the thermostat. We also drilled a single small hole in new thermostats to allow air to escape from behind the thermostat body.

[@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.

[@morgansword]

Get the next one from Mac tools as it is half of Snap On and does same with very very high quality fittings, hose, everything is high quality.... even the quick connect barbs are the best value. Good vid Wes

[@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.

[@coreyhalverson2126]

Can you run a vacuum on a coolant system like this if the system is mostly full. Would it be useful if I'm chasing a air in a hard to bleed system?

[@Kntryhart]

I just finished changing the coolant on my 2016 Kia soul+ 2.0L. Used the OEMTOOLS 24444 Coolant System Refiller; it worked very well. It pulled a full vacuum in less that 30 seconds! The only improvement I wish they would make is to redesign the filler pickup so that it fits through the opening of a coolant jug. Close, but no cigar :-((

[@tarheelhemoglobin]

Great video. Can that tool be used to draw out all the old coolant from the engine block too?

[@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.

[@natefidalgo7625]

Would be so so good if this tool can be used to pump out all the coolant as well as refill /air purge. But just not sure if mine has that ability yet.

[@rustierone]

Why not use a cheap pond fountain pump to lift the coolant for the taller jobs in case the fork lift is busy? One side pushing, one side pulling - a pushmipullyu as Dr. Doolittle would say . . .what about funnel cake at the fair?

[@WatchWesWork]

That would work.

[@tentotwo8290]

Would the vacuum damage the hoses at all? Thinking about them ripping open near a jubilee clamp. Thanks for sharing, great content.

[@WatchWesWork]

I have not had any issues. Remember, the pressure on the hoses can never exceed atmospheric pressure, which is around 14.7 psi. That's pretty low pressure really.

[@tentotwo8290]

@@WatchWesWork true enough 👍 thanks

[@heinzkot360]

almost all modern coolant-systems have a very small bypass bore to prevent the thermostat being trapped in an airbubble ... and bleed the system while not circilating the radiator ;)

[@akbychoice]

I drove a fuel truck with the DT466. If you ever stalled it out going up hill and started going backwards ( on ice no less ) releasing the clutch with it still in a forward gear would cause the engine to fire in reverse. Blowing exhaust out through the intake. It doesn’t bit sound good either.

[@sqike001ton]

that spill proof funnel is great i would recommend it to all DIY guys. where this is overkill

[@giggiddy]

My only hesitation is when reusing coolant, possibly picking up debris that may have fallen in the coolant catch pan, then reintroducing it back into the system. Wonder if there is anyway to install some type of inline filter in the pickup tube. Maybe a glass inline fuel type filter? Am I being to paranoid because I love the concept? I use air for everything. Thanks Wes for these videos.

[@terryharvey4811]

Question : Would coolant pass easily thru a gas filter ? I'd use a clear filter so I could see if it was catching a lot of trash/stopping up.On used coolant I pour it thru an automotive paint strainer into a 5 gallon bucket first. It gets out the bigger trash so that anything left is very small.

[@Zach_A]

If the drain petcock has a nipple you can run a hose from there to the coolant pan and just pull a vacuum and fill it from the bottom all in one operation. I think I've only had to refill cooling systems the way you showed a hand-full of times.

[@WatchWesWork]

What kind of cars do you work on? I can't think of any vehicle where that would be easy to rig up, or even possible.

[@Zach_A]

@@WatchWesWork I work at an International dealership (trucks not tractors). The newer trucks have a quick disconnect for draining coolant, the old ones have a petcock with a little nipple that I put a hose on and run that to my drain pan.

[@Ryan-dz3jo]

@@Zach_A holy macaroni that's a world away from the mis-match junk I've worked on but that heavens a manufacturer still designs solutions..

[@spelunkerd]

I gotta get myself one of these. Only thing is, it may be hard to pay for the critical accessories, like a fork lift (grin).

[@elcaminomant]

As a German car mechanic, this is the ONLY way to fill the cooling systems and not fight air pockets. Also works amazing on diesel pusher RVs.

[@anthonysova7117]

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

[@gtb81.]

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