Leaking Expansion Tank

[TVR newbie]

Afternoon all

Just had the T350 out for a run and got back only to find a nice pool of coolant on the drive once i parked her up. Seems it is all coolant and coming from underneath the coolant expansion tank. I think it's the tubing that connects the expansion tank to the original radiator.

I'm hoping that all is needed is a tightening of the screw that holds the rubber tubing to the tank.

Anyone else had this problem? I need to drive to Birmingham tomorrow so want to make sure tightening the screw will help!

Cheers all

Dan

[rolex]

Well I dont want to sound too pessimistic but are you sure its not a radiator leak? Its a known issue that rads on T350's are not very reliable.
Tighten up stuff up by all means but I would certainly take a couple of litre bottles of water along with you on your journey just in case.
If it does turn out to be rad leak get your dealer or specialist to fit an upgraded alloy rad as replacement.

[TVR newbie]

You could be well right but there is def a leak from the expansion tank. No matter how hard I tighten the cap after a journey there is coolant/water running down from the cap.not loads, just dribbles. Anyone else seen this?

Also re filling the expansion tank, how high should you fill to? Seen various answers in the past to this. Some say 90mm from top some say 10mm? 10mm would seem v little room for the water to expand etc.

Anyone know a definite answer?!

Cheers again!

[p400chm]

That seems very high, Mine is less than half full...
our you loosing alot of water or just the amount that would be in the tank,
....it is an expansion tank after all.

[TVR newbie]

Not loosing too much. I think I could havce been filling it too high and so almost working itself to the right level?

Will run it half full for a while and see if anything else occurs

Thanks guys. Forum so much more help than any tvr garage!

Re tvr garages - any decent ones people recommend for us essex based?

Cheers

[KillerJim]

I always have the Sagaris' expansion tank filled til about an inch or 2 off the top (just so I can feel the water with my finger down into the tank)

I always think its better for her to spit some out than to be wanting more.

In the end I have to top up the water each week, she uses more water than oil..

J

[TVR newbie]

Ok stupid qu time...

When do you know when running low in water while you are driving?

Is it simply temp gauge goes very high rather than sitting at the 88-90 mark (motorway driving)?

I'm drivng to birmingham and know water is dripping out as when got petrol was a few drops on tthe floor.

I wondered if an obvious sign I need to stop and give her a drink existed....

Cheers

[Targarama]

Sounds like you're putting too much coolant in the expansion tank. They tend to spit out excess water and find their own level - around half way down the tank. Use a wooden spoon from the kitchen to find the level (drop it in).

Normal running temp will be 88-91 with it moving up and down a few degrees very quickly. You should hear the fans come on in traffic if the temp hits 93. They are 2 phase fans - 1 comes on at 93, the other around 98. Temp should temp drop a minute or so after fans come on. System seems to work pretty well in general.

[TVR newbie]

Yep that sounds spot on.

Just a final thing - what sort of sign/warning would be seen if the water got too high?

Presume temp very high?

[LaserTam]

TVR newbie said:

Re tvr garages - any decent ones people recommend for us essex based?

A few choices. Castle in Stansted, bought my Tam from there and have had no issues with sevicing. Then there is Leven in Basildon that comes highly recommended, but I have personally not used them.
Where abouts in Essex are you?

As for the expansion tank, I have not experienced any leaking, but I generally fill it to within about 3-4 inches from the top. As mentioned, I use a wooden spoon, with a score mark around the handle to indicate the level I want (and to see if I have lost some!)

[rolex]

Just a thought, The water drips you noticed when stopping for petrol may actually be coming from the thawing aircon unit which is normal.

Edited by rolex on Sunday 4th May 23:48

[TVR newbie]

I live in Buckhurst Hill (near Chigwell) so Castle is the obvious choice I guess. Need some odd bits done so will give them a bell.

On further inspection it seems the leak is from the coolant cap so maybe it is her working out the right level. Will keep an eye on it for the next few days.

Thanks to all for help. TVR ownership certainly improving my mechanical knowledge!