I've seen the same effect all three times I've torn down the SSEi. It takes a couple days for the coolant level to stabilize. That bleeder screw may be a slight help, but it doesn't completely serve it'* intended purpose.

Thanks for the info, Bill. Maybe we were fine the whole time, I guess. I wish I would've given it a little more time to stabilize... maybe I would have made it to Ohio on Friday :(.

I still threw a CEL last night, so I'll have to get that code pulled at Autozone today.

Dammmnn. That sucks. But I'm glad to hear everything is doing okay. Hopefully that code isn't a big deal.

Not sure if this helps much at this point. But for reference.

This weekend Highlander and I swapped his 98 NA motor. Thought we had all the coolant out. Just about tipped the block upside down with nothing coming out. I pulled a knock sensor and nothing...pulled the other and got close to a gallon. Yep...all over the floor.

And the engine smiled and said "Surprise!"