Water Levels help on T350

[sledgeracer]

I have a 54 palte T350, from reading other threads on this it has 2 tanks for the water , one on teh drivers side on the engine, on in front of the engine. The one in front has a brass cap on so not easily removed, the left one has a blue lid which comes off.

I assume i need just to check the one with the blue lid daily and what level should be in this - read about using a dip stick - wooden spoon - and is it right it should be about 90 mm from the top?

Should i check the bottle in front of the engine at all?

sorry if these are basic questions just need some clarification!

[braders]

Yes think thats correct just the blue one, i have a 2004 350 mine only as the one bottle yours is the upgrade

[sledgeracer]

what level should the side pot be at ?

[ropey]

About half way up the bottle - i find that i can just get my head between the bonnet and the wing to see inside it. A torch helps at night!

To be honest, I think that each car finds it's own level. If you put in too much, the car will vent it anyway! So fill it up half way, or a bit more, and then keep an eye on it for a week or 2. Make sure you always check it at the same time - ie, when the car is completely cold and on a level road. If the car is warm, the water expands and you'll get a false reading.

Mine now uses hardly any water. But when the rad was leaking, I was having to top up each week.

I also keep an eye on the water temp readings on the display. If they start going above 91-92 deg C (when stuck in traffic), I know the water is running a little low.

Hope that's of some help.

Ropey

[sledgeracer]

Thanks for that ropey , it was almost empty when i checked it so will fill it up , do you ever check the front bottle?

Looking forward to a drive tonight , just replaced the headlamp covers after cleaning inside and putting some xenons in - loooks great

[LaserTam]

No I dont think you need to check the other resevior, just the expansion tank with the blue cap.

[KillerJim]

Hi,

I think the Sagaris is identical in layout, I have a bottle with a blue cap at the left and in the front/center of the engine I have a large cylinder with a screw at the top.

The left bottle is called the 'expansion tank' - this is what you top up, I always fill it up until I can feel the water by sticking my finger in (when the water temp is 50c or below)

This tank then feeds the center cylinder called the 'swirl tank' - the engine takes water from the swirl tank with the expansion tank keeping the extra water.

I have a leaky radiator (most people do..) so I top it up weekly (I suspect its about a litre per month but I`m a daily driver too...)

The guy who services my car recommends checking the swirl tank too (make sure your blue cap is secure before opening it otherwise you`ll have a nice fountain..) and bleeding the radiators for air bubbles via to two nuts on the pipes leading to/from the radiators - I do this once a month..

James

[tobeee]

KillerJim said:

...and bleeding the radiators for air bubbles via to two nuts on the pipes leading to/from the radiators - I do this once a month..
James

In case the above wasn't so clear, when bleeding the air out, the blue expansion cap must be left off.

[sledgeracer]

Killer jim, thanks, what should the swirl pot level be at?

Assuming bleeding the rad is like doing one at in my house!!!, just twist untill water comes out and the air has gone?

Thanks again

[KillerJim]

tobeee said:

KillerJim said:

...and bleeding the radiators for air bubbles via to two nuts on the pipes leading to/from the radiators - I do this once a month..
James

In case the above wasn't so clear, when bleeding the air out, the blue expansion cap must be left off.

I bleed the rad's with the swirl pot screw off (same different I supposed) then fill up the swirl pot til it can`t take anymore (i.e. overflows) - the bleed should only reduce it by a few mm unless you bleed it alot (or lose the screw )..

James