engine warm up and heater questions.

[5.0HO]

1995 with a 3.8 and 5 speed.

I start this car when it's cold out and drive around and the temp gauge will start to move, but the heater still blows cold air. Then, the gauge will climb rapidly to about 3/4 to the hot side, then fall rapidly to almost cold and remain there. At the moment the gauge begins to fall is when the heater starts to work, and it blows hot air.

Could this be my problem? --> I recently drained some coolant from the radiator and replaced it with fresh anti-freeze. I took a bolt out of the top of the engine that had a tag on it saying to remove it. I then filled up the radiator and put the bolt back in. I really don't have a clue what I'm doing.

What is the proper way to bleed the air from the system? Do I have other problems?

 

[newe]

sounds like your problems could be the air. Try this: on a
cold engine, take the radiator cap off and start the engine. (make sure you have a water hose or a couple of gallons of coolant ready when you do this)
As the engine gets hot and the thermostat starts to open, you'll see air bubbles (burps) coming out the radiator as it starts to overflow. Don't let this scare you
just be ready with your replacement liquid because when
the engine starts taking in water through the lower radiator hose, you're going to need to replace it at the radiator as fast as it goes into the engine. Soon you should see no more burps (bubbles). Make sure it has
enought water, test run (take it for a spin) with the heater on high, let it cool down again and check your level.

 

[OxMox]

start it up and let it idle... or get more free-on