To find where you need to bleed your system, you should:
1. Consult your owner's manual: This is the best source of information. It will specifically tell you how to bleed the cooling system for your particular Malibu engine.
2. Look for high points in the cooling system: Air tends to rise. Common locations to look for bleeder valves or points to open to release trapped air include:
* Radiator: The top radiator hose connection might have a small bleeder screw. However, often it's just a matter of carefully squeezing the upper radiator hose to encourage trapped air out.
* Engine block: Some engines have a specific bleeder valve on the engine block itself, usually near the thermostat housing or a high point of the coolant passages. This is less common than relying on the radiator's ability to bleed itself.
* Expansion tank (overflow reservoir): While not a bleeder valve, the expansion tank might be a place to help purge air by filling it to the proper level and squeezing the upper radiator hose.
3. Check online forums: Search for "1998 Chevy Malibu [your engine size] coolant bleed" on forums like ChevyTalk or similar. Other owners might have pictures or descriptions of where they found air pockets.
Important Note: Be careful when working with the coolant system. The coolant is hot when the engine is running, and it's corrosive. Wear appropriate safety glasses and gloves.
Without knowing the specific engine in your 1998 Chevy Malibu, pinpointing the exact location is impossible. The owner's manual is your best starting point.
