It's another appeal for expert advice/help I'm afraid chaps

Finally got around to doing the coolant change on my TDV8 this weekend - everything was going well up to the point where the instructions are to start the engine and disconnect the coolant return pipe to the fuel cooler in order to allow any trapped air to escape.

The connections appear to be the 'push fit' type and access is not very good. Because I didn't know how to disconnect the pipe and was worried about breaking the connector -(plus I didn't like the idea of struggling with an intransigent fitting whilst lying under the car with its engine running!) I bottled it and didn't even try to bleed the fuel cooler.

So my question is should I be worried?
Will problems arise if there is any air trapped in the cooler?

aaaaaarrrrrrgh

Should I take it to my Indi and ask them to do the bleed?

It's probably worth mentioning that my driveway has a moderate slope and the car was positioned facing up it (so the engine was higher than the back end) this means that the fuel cooler would have been slightly lower than the points where the old coolant was drained from and has the bonus that the bleed screw on the expansion tank is just about the highest point on the system. So - hoping no air in fuel cooler anyway.

Generally a bit confused too about the fuel cooler function too. Is it like the transmission fluid cooler which actually warms up the fluid at first and then a thermostat closes and it acts as a cooler?

When/if this is resolved might summarise the job with a few tips for anyone contemplating this vital bit of maintenance. 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

If you have changed it and the car is running fine with no problems then your ok, not all the ones I have disconnected have needed bleeding some are ok and others do need bleeding..

Flack

Thanks Flack you are a gentleman. Only had it idling until up to temperature so far but will take it for a run later. What would the symptoms be if there is air in the fuel cooler? Is it like vapour lock? 2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

No it might run lumpy at idle or miss a beat when you clog it but it should self prime, just give a blast down the road and see if its running ok.

Flack

Out for a quick blast later then.

s'pose I'd best take the 'phone though so I can call the AA out if it stops  2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE

Replying to my own posts again.

Been for the obligatory blast today and all is fine with no issues - just a final top-up to the mark on the expansion tank.

Thanks again to Flack for the expert re-assurance.  2008 MY Java Black TDV8 HSE