Water level

[TVRPierre]

Hi
I have had my 450 Chim since just before Christmas.

I was told to top the expansion tank up to about half way up and make sure the swirl pot is topped right to the top.

AfterI have been on a run and especially if caught in traffic, once the engine has cooled there is nothing left in the expansion tank and the water level is about a centimetre down in the swirl pot. If I leave the levels like this it seems to stay there but I'm just concerned that there is no room for any problems.

Is this a V8 foible or does anyone know of a reason for this?

Thanks
Pete

[paulathome]

Pete, sounds like it's run low on water and sucked what was in the expansion tank back into the block.
Top up the swirl pot to the brim when the engine is cold. Then refill the expansion tank half way again.
Go for a run with the heater turned to the hot position to allow any air locks out of the heater matrix. Recheck the swirl pot and top up if required and the same with the expansion tank.
I had to do this about three times after taking the radiator out and bleeding the system. It seemed to take a while to get all the air out.
If however the coolant continues to drop I would suspect you have a leak somewhere.
Hope this helps.
Cheers.
Paul

[UpTheIron]

My old 450 was never "happy" with the expansion tank half full, and would vent most of its contents via the pressure cap. If there was any more than 1" or so in the swirl tank this would happen.

[TVRPierre]

I have tried the 'bleeding' the system bit but it always returns to the level of about a centimetre from the top of the swirl pot. Once it levels there it seems to stay there.