Blond moment

[5paulmv]

Had the water spansion tank tops off today n didn't take note as was disturbed the bottle that goes to ground with over flow pipe which cap one as thermos valve one not Could some one have a look at there's pls cheers paul

[Steve_D]

The tank on the nearside is the swirl pot and has the cap without the spring loaded centre seal. This tank should be filled to the brim either hot or cold.

The tank on the offside is the expansion tank and has the cap with the spring centre. When cold this tank should be less than one third full. Some find almost empty when cold works for them.

Steve

[5paulmv]

Thanks Steve so just to clarify the spansion tank is the one that blows water out to atmosphere the largest off the 2 tanks that's got the spring just double checking encase mine mounted different due to the lack off space under clam cos off pro charger

[DHGTR]

yes thats right the fixed cap goes on the tank that expands into the other tank, which has the sprung cap that vents to air.

[3Dee]

Steve_D said:

The tank on the nearside is the swirl pot and has the cap without the spring loaded centre seal. This tank should be filled to the brim either hot or cold.
Steve

Hmmm... each time I top this up, as suggested - I find the level back down below the engine inlet tube after any drive...

Is that normal? No leaks I can find...

[5paulmv]

Hi Keith + 1 this is my consern also was wondering iff a big capacity tank sat high as poss along bulk head is the answer views pls

[MarkWebb]

As I think Steve is saying. The nearside pot should always be full whether engine is hot or cold. The expansion tank is on drivers side (of std car anyway). In my case filling this results in its contents being blown out of the system leaving about 5mm in the bottom when cold. I have left it like this for 3 years now with no further losses. Some air is obviously required to absorb the expansion of the coolant which is incompressible.

[Steve_D]

As I said my car seems happy with about one third full. I also said others experience less. GTRMikie has said in the past that his is empty when cold.

Steve

[Storer]

I have had my caps on the wrong way round for nearly 5K miles. No big issues.

Changed them tonight, so it will be interesting to see what happens. Never seen over 95 deg. yet!!!!


Paul

[GTRMikie]

Steve_D said:

As I said my car seems happy with about one third full. I also said others experience less. GTRMikie has said in the past that his is empty when cold.

Steve

As long as there is some coolant in the expansion tank when the engine is hot, there is nothing to worry about! I have one of the early plastic expansion tanks, so it is easy to visually check the level when the engine is hot.