I have a ford ka 04 1.3l and have replaced the thermostat housing and lost a lot of water/coolant but I can't find any bleed nipple or valve. How will I get all the air out of the system

Bleed the water system they should be a bleed nipple on thermostat housing run the car with nipple slightly open and run car up to running temperature put air blowers on and turn temp up to full

Maintenance and Specification hen you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
• 2.5L coolant bleed valve coolant bleed valve 5. Open the coolant bleed valve on the back of the engine water outlet
for the 2.5L engine or in the thermostat housing for the 3.0L engine.
6. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture, to
within the COLD FILL RANGE or the FULL COLD level on the reservoir.
If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the radiator
until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
7. Close the bleed valve and reinstall the cap on the coolant reservoir.
Turn the cap until it is tightly installed to prevent coolant loss.
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration (refer
to Checking engine coolant). If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to -34°F/-36°C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.

I'm guessing you can't find it because it's in a separate housing or located under the lower battery tray in the housing (depending on model of engine). Even though this is specific for 1998; I believe it's the same for 1996-1999 Taurus's. I have access to illustrations, but only .gif and/or .bmp extensions were available which would not copy here. If you need these, I will try an extension change to .jpg. Good luck, this should be enough info. It is helpful to include the engine size in question, for future reference...

Thermostat, Water

CAUTION: Do not mix Standard (green) Coolant with Extended Life Coolant (orange). If mixing occurs, drain engine cooling system and refill with originally equipped coolant type. If this contamination occurs the service change interval on Extended Life Coolant will be reduced from 6 years/150,000 miles to 3 years/30,000 miles.
1. WARNING: NEVER REMOVE THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP UNDER ANY CONDITIONS WHILE THE ENGINE IS OPERATING. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO THE COOLING SYSTEM OR ENGINE AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY. TO AVOID HAVING SCALDING HOT COOLANT OR STEAM BLOW OUT OF THE COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE, USE EXTREME CARE WHEN REMOVING THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP FROM A HOT COOLING SYSTEM OR DEGAS BOTTLE. WAIT UNTIL THE ENGINE HAS COOLED, THEN WRAP A THICK CLOTH AROUND THE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP AND TURN IT SLOWLY UNTIL PRESSURE BEGINS TO RELEASE. STEP BACK WHILE THE PRESSURE IS RELEASED FROM THE COOLING SYSTEM. WHEN CERTAIN ALL PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELEASED, PRESS DOWN ON THE PRESSURE CAP (STILL WITH A CLOTH), TURN AND REMOVE PRESSURE RELIEF CAP

THE ABOVE APPLIES TO ALL MODELS

3.0L (2V) Engine
Removal
Drain the engine cooling system so that the engine coolant level is below the water thermostat (8575) as described.
2.Disconnect the upper radiator hose (8260) from the water hose connection (8592) .
3.Remove the three water inlet connection retaining bolts. Remove the water hose connection .
4.Remove the gasket and water thermostat from the water hose connection . Do not reuse gasket.
Installation
1.Install the water thermostat , gasket and water hose connection as illustrated.
2.Install and alternately tighten the retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to 10-14 Nm (89-124 lb-in).
3.Connect the upper radiator hose to the water hose connection .
4.Fill the engine cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (green), (in Oregon, F5FZ-19549-CC, in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10), or Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544-AA (orange), or DEX-COOL coolant, or a coolant meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D and water, as described under Cooling System, Draining, Filling and Bleeding procedure.
5.Start the engine and check all hoses and connections for leaks. Allow the engine to warm up so that the water thermostat opens.
6.Stop the engine. Top off degas bottle as required to maintain minimum cold fill level.

3.0L (4V) Engine
Removal
Drain the engine cooling system so that the engine coolant level is below the water thermostat ; refer to Cooling System Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
2.Raise vehicle on hoist.
3.Disconnect the lower radiator hose (8286) from the water inlet connection.
4.Remove the two water inlet connection retaining bolts. Remove the water inlet connection.
5.Remove the O-ring seal and water thermostat from the water thermostat housing. Inspect O-ring for damage and replace if necessary.
6.If required, remove water thermostat housing retaining bolts, water thermostat housing and O-ring from lower radiator hose tube. Inspect O-ring for damage and replace if necessary.

Installation
1.Install the water thermostat , O-ring, water thermostat housing (if removed) as shown.
2.Install and alternately tighten the retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to 8-12 Nm (71-106 lb-in).
3.Connect the lower radiator hose to the water inlet connection.
4.Lower vehicle.
5.Fill the engine cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (green), (in Oregon, F5FZ-19549-CC, in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10), or Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544-AA (orange), or DEX-COOL coolant, or a coolant meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D and water; refer to Cooling System, Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
6.Start the engine and check all hoses and connections for leaks. Allow the engine to warm up so that the water thermostat opens.
7.Stop the engine. Top off degas bottle as required to maintain minimum cold fill level.

3.4L SHO
Removal
Drain the engine cooling system so that the engine coolant level is below the water thermostat ; refer to Cooling System, Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
2.Remove battery.
3.Remove power distribution box.
4.Remove battery tray.
5.Disconnect upper radiator hose and position out of the way.
6.Disconnect the lower radiator hose from the water inlet connection (8K528) .
7.Remove the two retaining bolts. Remove the water inlet connection .
8.Remove the O-ring seal and water thermostat from the water pump (8501) . Inspect O-ring for damage and replace if necessary.

Thermostat

Installation
1.Install the water thermostat , O-rings and water inlet connection as illustrated.
2.Install and alternately tighten the retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to 8-12 Nm (71-106 lb-in).
3.Connect the lower radiator hose to the water inlet connection .
4.Install upper radiator hose . Position spring clamp securely.
5.Install battery tray.
6.Install power distribution box.
7.Install battery.
8.Fill the engine cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of Premium Engine Coolant E2FZ-19549-AA (green), (in Oregon, F5FZ-19549-CC, in Canada, Motorcraft CXC-10), or Ford Extended Life Engine Coolant F6AZ-19544-AA (orange), or DEX-COOL coolant, or a coolant meeting Ford specification WSS-M97B44-D and water; refer to Cooling System, Draining, Filling and Bleeding in this section.
9.Start the engine and check all hoses and connections for leaks. Allow the engine to warm up so that the water thermostat opens.
10.Stop the engine. Top off degas bottle as required to maintain minimum cold fill level.

check your vacuum actuated heater valve assembly under the hood for proper function .possible malfunctioning thermostat

Hi Bob, Wait until the engine is completely cold. (Over night is good). Drain the radiator and then look at it, identifying the top radiator hose. Follow it to where it joins the engine. and there you will see a domed housing held in position by three bolts. Remove those and lift the housing where you will find the thermostat. As you have forgotten to mention what engine is fitted into your vehicle it is difficult to be very specific with directions. Some Nissan engines are fitted with bleeding systems for the cooling system. You will need to look and identify anything with a label which states "Do not open when hot.' The bleeding nipple will be above the height of the top tank of the radiator. If you find one, it means the system needs bleeding of all air. Remove the rad cap and loosen the bleed screw until coolant flows from it in a small stream. Fill the required amount of coolant/anti freeze and top off with water and keep it flowing until all air bubbles are expelled from the bleed screw and then close the nipple. If yours is a system which needs bleeding the bleeder on Nissan's is often situated on the surge tank ontop of the intake manifold. Regards John

Hi,
The bleeding nipple would be near the water pump rad hose inlet and beneath the thermostat valve cover.
Bleeding is easy, just fill up the radiator and the reservoir w/ coolant run the engine for 5 min and open the bleeding nipples! or Just fill up the radiator before u start the engine, early morning, run the engine for 5 min. untill the thermostat valve opens, open the radiator cap( use a wet rag ), carefull not to open it instantly! Fill up the radiator while the engine runs, add coolant while u slightly reving up the engine.
Do these and open the heater to maximum, air might be inside the core too!
Hope that helps u out!

This is from the autozone.com web site. Click on red X's to view pictures.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION


CAUTION Never open, service or drain the radiator or cooling system when hot; serious burns can occur from the steam and hot coolant. Also, when draining engine coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are attracted to ethylene glycol antifreeze and could drink any that is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove fatal in sufficient quantities. Always drain coolant into a sealable container. Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or is several years old.

1. Note the radio security code and station presets.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Drain the engine coolant into a sealable container.
4. Remove the fasteners from the thermostat housing, then remove the thermostat.

To install:
See Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4

Fig. Fig. 1: A thermostat can be tested by placing it in a suitable container filled with water, and heating the water with a hot plate while monitoring the temperature with a thermometer

Fig. Fig. 2: The thermostat should open when the water reaches the correct temperature

Fig. Fig. 3: The coolant bleed screw is located near the thermostat housing on Odysseys with 4-cylinder engines

Fig. Fig. 4: Always install the thermostat with the small pin at the top. The rubber thermostat seal is installed around the thermostat

1. Install the thermostat using a new seal. If the thermostat has a small bleed hole, make sure the bleed hole is on the top.
2. Apply an anti-seize compound to the threads of the fasteners.
3. Reassemble in the reverse order of disassembly.
4. Set the heater to the full hot position. Set the heater to the full hot position.
5. On Odyssey models with 4-cylinder engines, locate the coolant bleed valve near the thermostat housing and open the valve 1 / 2 turn.
6. Top off the cooling system and overflow reservoir with a 50/50 mixture of a recommended antifreeze and water solution, and bleed the system to remove any air pockets as necessary. Simultaneously squeeze the upper and lower radiator hoses to help push any captured air pockets out of the system.
7. Inspect all coolant hoses and fittings to make sure they are properly installed and if previously opened, close the bleed valve.
8. Connect the negative battery cable.
9. Install the radiator cap loosely and start the engine. Allow the engine to run until the cooling fan has cycled two times, then turn the engine OFF and top off the cooling system as necessary.
10. Install the radiator cap and inspect for leaks.
11. Enter the radio security code.

WARNING The manufacturer does not recommend using a coolant concentration of greater than 60% antifreeze.
When mixing a 50/50 solution of antifreeze and water, using distilled water may help to keep the cooling system from building up mineral deposits and internal blockage.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION The thermostat's purpose is to control the flow into the engine from the radiator. During warm up, the thermostat remains closed so that the coolant within the engine heats quickly and aids the warming up process. As the coolant temperature increases, the thermostat gradually opens, allowing a supply of lower temperature coolant (from the radiator) to enter the water pump and circulate through the engine. NOTE: A thermostat should never be removed as a countermeasure to overheating problems. This will only decrease the cooling system efficiency and add to the problem. The vehicle cooling system should be serviced with necessary components replaced.

1. Drain the cooling system and save the coolant for reuse.
2. Remove the water inlet housing (disconnect any electrical connections on the housing) and remove the thermostat. Carefully observe the positioning of the thermostat within the housing before removal.
3. Install the new thermostat in the housing, making sure it is in correctly. It is possible to install it backwards. Additionally, make certain that the air bleed valve aligns with the protrusion on the water inlet housing. Failure to observe this placement can result in poor air bleeding and possible overheating.
4. Install the water inlet housing cover with a new gasket. Install the two hold-down bolts and torque to 43 inch lbs. (4.9 Nm). Do not overtighten these bolts!
5. Refill the cooling system with coolant.
6. Start the engine. During the warm up period, observe the temperature gauge for normal behavior. Also during this period, check the water inlet housing area for any sign of leakage. Remember to check for leaks under both cold and hot conditions. Fig. 1: Always observe the positioning of the thermostat in the housing before removing it
   Fig. 2: The thermostat should be installed with the jiggle valve upwards
   

there should be a bleed nipple at the highest point of the water jacket
somwhere around the head

Thermostat

• REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

All Models
See Figures 1 and 2
The thermostat and its built-in by-pass valve is installed on the inlet side of the water pump. Its purpose is to prevent overheating of the coolant by controlling the flow into the engine from the radiator. During warm up, the thermostat remains closed so that the coolant within the engine heats quickly and aids the warming up process.
As the coolant temperature increases, the thermostat gradually opens, allowing a supply of lower temperature coolant (from the radiator) to enter the water pump and circulate through the engine.

WARNING A thermostat with an internal by-pass should never be removed as a countermeasure to overheating. Removing the thermostat actually makes the problem worse because more coolant bypasses the radiator, thereby reducing cooling even more.

1. Drain the cooling system and save the coolant for reuse.

CAUTION When draining the coolant, keep in mind that cats and dogs are attracted by the ethylene glycol antifreeze, and are quite likely to drink any that is left in an uncovered container or in puddles on the ground. This will prove fatal in sufficient quantity. Always drain the coolant into a sealable container. Coolant should be reused unless it is contaminated or several years old.

1. Remove the water inlet housing and remove the thermostat. Carefully observe the positioning of the thermostat within the housing.

Fig. Fig. 1: Thermostat assembly. Prizm shown, Nova similar

1. Install the new thermostat in the housing, making sure it is in correctly. It is possible to install it backwards. Additionally, make certain that the air bleed valve aligns with the protrusion on the water inlet housing. Failure to observe this placement can result in poor air bleeding and possible overheating.

Fig. Fig. 2: Correct placement of the air bleed valve during thermostat replacement

1. Install the water inlet housing cover with a new gasket. Install the 2 hold down bolts and tighten them to 20 ft. lbs. Do not overtighten these bolts!
2. Refill the cooling system with coolant.
3. Start the engine. During the warm up period, observe the temperature gauge for normal behavior. Also during this period, check the water inlet housing area for any sign of leakage. Remember to check for leaks under both cold and hot conditions.