Topping up coolant chimaera 430 pre serp

[samcourtney86]

After reading online about how to top up the chimaera coolant system I’m still confused. Where and how do I top up the system regarding swirl pots/header tank?! I can only find one tank in my chimaera with a blue cap on? Please see image below.

Secondly after a run around the block the blue cap has spat out some hot coolant and the rad hose has blown up a bit under pressure?! Is this normal and if not what should I do? It’s the first real run in the car as it’s new to me so don’t know if it’s overfilled etc?! Engine oil is clean still and drove lovely. Thanks in advance

[samcourtney86]

[samcourtney86]

[samcourtney86]

[Belle427]

Top up via the swirl pot with the blue cap to about the half way mark when cold, it should find its own level. I would guess its puking excess water out if slightly over filled.
Check it regularly just to see where it sits level wise, it should settle.

[samcourtney86]

Thankyou - know it’s a simple question but getting confused reading different advice online.

[samcourtney86]

After it’s cooled down I’ve taken the blue cap off and the liquid level is at the top of the swirl pot, about an inch down. Shall I remove some coolant do you think down to half way?

[Belle427]

I would leave it alone for a few runs now just fo see where it settles, some cars are different level wise.

[PabloGee]

I'd agree with Belle.

The pre-serp engine seems to have only one tank for coolant, whereas the serp engines have a header tank (swirl pot) in that position and an expansion tank mounted closer to the radiator.

This might have been to reason you've had mixed advice.

I don't know how the pre-serp coolant system works, but seeing that blue cap suggests the pressure is managed at the swirl pot - the lid has a pressure release valve in it.
On the serp engines, the expansion tank has that blue cap, whereas the swirl pot has a fully sealed cap.

And a final note - enjoy having the 430, a rarer and special engine, with a bit more punch than the 400!

[Adrian@]

Q. is this the correct cap, it looks to be version with a vent on the edge, (although) the vent looks to be broken off. I have seen these for sale for VW's. but never fitted to a TVR. A@

[samcourtney86]

Thanks for the advice, will leave it be for a while.

The car came with a couple spare caps, wondered why, so presuming this isn’t the correct cap then.

Will search out a replacement online….

[Sardonicus]

Adrian@ said:

Q. is this the correct cap, it looks to be version with a vent on the edge, (although) the vent looks to be broken off. I have seen these for sale for VW's. but never fitted to a TVR. A@

Thats an early VW just post air cooled transporter cap and looks old id be inclined to get a new one on there for insurance and preventative maintenance if nothing else this style of cap fail with old age IME in fact modern VAG caps still do oddly enough genuine caps still available from VAG dealers last time I checked about £25 IIRC