Expansion tank

[alex.mcintosh]

The expansion tank on my Chimaera is leaking around the joint between the top of the body of the tank and the screw thread. I've tried to seal this with liquid metal but no luck.

A new tank is £120, a second hand one around £70. What does everyone think? Is there any way of getting the existing one repaired (bearing in mind my failed attempt with liquid metal!)?

Thanks

[yiw1393]

Guessing it's the VAG/Audi unit you are talking about, have you tried local scrapyard - not everything in life is reliable........

Failing that what about the 'net - findapart.co.uk, etc?

Just a thought.

Rich

[GarryM]

I think (not sure) it is a TVR part. You can get holes repaired - a fabricator used to aluminium should be able to help. Obviously a sign that it is thin in places so might go elsewhere after the repair. I had to replace mine and now have the cooling system flushed through every year in an effort to reduce possible corrosion.

[Big Al.]

If it's the standard Ally expansion tank, then as it's a welded assembly it can be repaired by re-welding.

It's not that specialized it just needs someone who is conversant with a TIG welding Machine, and used to welding Ally.

[shpub]

Tis a TVR bit. £120 sounds about right judging what I have had to pay. An ally fabricator might be able to to weld it up for a lot less.

[IPAddis]

Breakers jard? Was it Douglas Valley or something that specialises in breaking TVRs?

I might buy a Griff heater ECU from them as I'm damned sure I'm not going to give TVR 250 quid for 10 quids worth of electronics.

Ian A.

[alex.mcintosh]

It was Douglas Valley...but I'm just wondering whether it's worth getting a second hand one when it's only £50 less. I know these aren't particularly stressed items, but if they are 4 or 5 years old, they may have suffered some corrosion.....

Alex

[victormeldrew]

Mine's a bit knackered too, it had seized and took a little persuasion with an Irish screwdriver to free it, after which the tank top was somewhat concave.

Does anyone know of an alternative the the big brass grubscrew? I regularly skin knuckles trying to get this undone.

[david beer]

Ian
heater ecu, whats the problem? I repaired mine!

[Big Al.]

victormeldrew said: Does anyone know of an alternative the the big brass grubscrew? I regularly skin knuckles trying to get this undone.

Sorry getting a bit lost now!
Are we talking about the expansion tank (blue twist screw) or the swirl tank (big brass grub screw)?

They are both Ally and can be welded!

[alex.mcintosh]

My original post was about the expansion tank, not the swirl tank.

Still not sure whether to get a new one or second hand...

[GarryM]

alex.mcintosh said: Still not sure whether to get a new one or second hand...

I'd have thought the choice was new or repair - unless your existing one resembles a colander

[shpub]

Tis in the bible. Wait until cold and either a big big screwdriver or (my preference) a prybar used horizontally as a lever. A touch of copper grease on the plug where it meets the ally makes it easier next time.

[trefor]

victormeldrew said: Mine's a bit knackered too, it had seized and took a little persuasion with an Irish screwdriver to free it, after which the tank top was somewhat concave.

Does anyone know of an alternative the the big brass grubscrew? I regularly skin knuckles trying to get this undone.

Ze trick iz to slightly loosen the brass screw when it is still warm - only a smidge since the system will be under pressure. Then when it's cooled down you will find it easy to loosen off.

[GreenV8S]

Is there any way of getting the existing one repaired (bearing in mind my failed attempt with liquid metal!)?

Thanks

Would have thought you could find somebody willing to weld ally in your area? If all else fails, there are umpteen places that would do it if you posted the tank to them.