Expansion tank
Discussion
All,
I own a 91 SE. I returned from a drive the other night and noticed some dripping occuring from behind the driver's side rear wheel while the car was idling. It wasn't much, but it was there. I got under the car to take a look and noticed the drip was coming from a small drain. I called the local dealer and they said it was the coolant expansion tank, that it was doing it's job, but beyond that they would have to take a look. Do any of you know maybe what's up?
BTW, It doesn't drip while sitting in the garage when the engine is off. I don't notice any over heating while driving. Thanks.
John
I own a 91 SE. I returned from a drive the other night and noticed some dripping occuring from behind the driver's side rear wheel while the car was idling. It wasn't much, but it was there. I got under the car to take a look and noticed the drip was coming from a small drain. I called the local dealer and they said it was the coolant expansion tank, that it was doing it's job, but beyond that they would have to take a look. Do any of you know maybe what's up?
BTW, It doesn't drip while sitting in the garage when the engine is off. I don't notice any over heating while driving. Thanks.
John
John,
Have you recently filled or added to the coolant system? If overfilled, once the coolant gets hot and expands, it can overflow and route to the drain tube.
If you haven't recently touched the coolant, you may have an obstruction which effectively reduces the volume of the system, this too could cause the system to overflow. It may be time to give the system a good flush. Also, inspect the hoses going into the expansion tank to insure they are not cracked or leaking, this too could cause the results you're seeing.
Finally, if your drive was long and spirited, especially in hot weather, the fluid could have expanded sufficiently to overflow the system even though everything was at it's proper level. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Friday 15th August 18:28
Have you recently filled or added to the coolant system? If overfilled, once the coolant gets hot and expands, it can overflow and route to the drain tube.
If you haven't recently touched the coolant, you may have an obstruction which effectively reduces the volume of the system, this too could cause the system to overflow. It may be time to give the system a good flush. Also, inspect the hoses going into the expansion tank to insure they are not cracked or leaking, this too could cause the results you're seeing.
Finally, if your drive was long and spirited, especially in hot weather, the fluid could have expanded sufficiently to overflow the system even though everything was at it's proper level. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
>> Edited by lotusguy on Friday 15th August 18:28
Jim,
I just had a B service done last year, along with replacing the water pump and the timing belt. It was
about 85 degrees when I drove it, but I don't lean on the car hard, and each ride is about an hour in length.
Really nothing that I haven't done before. Maybe I should have it checked out.
I just had a B service done last year, along with replacing the water pump and the timing belt. It was
about 85 degrees when I drove it, but I don't lean on the car hard, and each ride is about an hour in length.
Really nothing that I haven't done before. Maybe I should have it checked out.
John,
As you said, it doesn't appear to be anything you did or didn't do (except drive the car of course...lol). Maybe the rule of thumb should be, if it's working properly, don't drive it and run the risk of having something go awry...lol.
But, back on point, since the car did recently have some work done to the cooling system, I'd be inclined to write it off due to slight overfilling when reassembling the system.
Aside from checking for cracked or leaky hoses going into/out of the expansion tank, I'd just keep an eye on it to see if it reoccurs. I think there's a high likelyhood that it won't. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
As you said, it doesn't appear to be anything you did or didn't do (except drive the car of course...lol). Maybe the rule of thumb should be, if it's working properly, don't drive it and run the risk of having something go awry...lol.
But, back on point, since the car did recently have some work done to the cooling system, I'd be inclined to write it off due to slight overfilling when reassembling the system.
Aside from checking for cracked or leaky hoses going into/out of the expansion tank, I'd just keep an eye on it to see if it reoccurs. I think there's a high likelyhood that it won't. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
My Honda and my Taurus both had a similar experience where the expansion tank would fill up to overflowing. Then when the car cooled down, the level in the expansion tank would require refilling. In both cases the thermostat would not open and the coolant having no where to expand to filled the tank. Changing the thermostat worked. In one case the capsule had broke and in the other the plate of the thermostat had seized in its travel.
Hope this helps
Lotusman
'89 non-SE
Hope this helps
Lotusman
'89 non-SE
lotusman said:
My Honda and my Taurus both had a similar experience where the expansion tank would fill up to overflowing. Then when the car cooled down, the level in the expansion tank would require refilling. In both cases the thermostat would not open and the coolant having no where to expand to filled the tank. Changing the thermostat worked. In one case the capsule had broke and in the other the plate of the thermostat had seized in its travel.
Hope this helps
Lotusman
'89 non-SE
Hi,
Except he did not note any abnormal tempurature readings. In an hour's drive in 85 degree weather, with a faulty 'T'stat, he most certainly would have. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE
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