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

"....... 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.

“You may like to point this towards the new guy. “ Oh, it is so beautiful and poetic ❤️

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! 🤣🤣🤣

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.

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!

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!!

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.

Very detailed tutorial, enjoyed watching it! Honored to be part of it bud, thanks for the shout out!

Thanx so much for the comprehensive review! I appreciate all you guys who take the time to post helpful tools and repair insights. Ciao.

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

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!

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.

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.

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!

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 👍

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.

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

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.

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

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!!

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!

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nice video! Always a good idea to place coolant that you intend to fill at or above the surge/expansion tank.

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.

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.

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

Looks like a great system. Thanks for sharing.

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.

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 😉

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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.

I swear I watched a little while ago by someone that sounds just like you... Either I have a new superpower of watching RU-vid videos from the future or apparently I'm subscribed to RU-vid channels that produce the same content.

thanks for sharing this information is very valuable....

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.

Thanks Wes ,never seen one ,plan on getting one . God bless .

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.

Dang it Wes! Another great tool I gotta buy with out the wife finding out! Lol! Great demo, this will be going on the short list to acquire soon. Thanks!

Just bought one thanks for the video

Wes, you ROCK bro. You're in the same league as Project Farm and Car Wizard. Keep'em coming and we'll keep watching.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Great video Wes, thumbs up.

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

Well done video. Thanks!

Any future videos with the family ? Really nice. Watching you work with your wife, and watching your son running around . He's adorable.

Good honest review.

Great explanation and video thanks

well thought out

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

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

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.

Great video look forward to seeing your videos thanks

Thanks for the info

Wes that tool is awesome. I will definitely buy one

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

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👍

Thanks Wes 👍

That's a pretty sweet tool!

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.

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.

Nice video Wes!

Nice video, can beat funnels on some vehicles for refills neat tool if you got a air compressor near by

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.

Awesome wes keep up the videos love them do more tractor stuff love those

Wowzers! I’ve got the rad out of my dt466 right now and I sure wish I had that thing!!!

Thank you!

Thumbs up 👍 deference is the key

Nice video I recently bought a tool like this. But haven't got a chance to use it yet. Definitely great for getting all air purged out and filling the coolant with no mess as I can see. However I was curious can this tool also be used to evacuate/bleed all the coolant.

Great video, really enjoyed learning how to use thia device, even tho i dont have it yet. Funny part of the vid, "this hang chain is useless" but somehow it actually looks pretty useful when you actually used it. Lol.

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.

Thanks Wes

Nice work and Thank You! My 02 Chrysler had to use a funky OEM fill funnel with a vent to fill the tank, this would have made it easy! Too bad you didn't know how cheap that Chinese kit was before you bought it, although I think you may have..

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.

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.

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.

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.

very handy!

Damn good vid brother.

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.