Cooling System Questions

[OziSteve]

The cooling system on the GTR with LS7 I just purchased is set-up like this:



Both the expansion and header tanks were full to the brim when cold. From what I have read on here and seen on other systems, I am not sure about the routing of the vent lines being correct or the caps being on the right tanks. Is this the correct factory layout?

I pressure tested the system and found several leaks in the main hoses which weren't able to be fixed by tightening the clamps so I am going to empty the system and replace those hoses and clips. Any tips for refilling to avoid air locks? How full should the tanks be when cold?

Thanks

Steve

Edited by OziSteve on Thursday 20th December 02:38

[OziSteve]

It seems to me that the expansion tank (right-hand tank) is not acting as an expansion tank at all the way the piping is set up on this car. It is connected to pressurised water sources including the cylinder head, the main radiator and the pressurised side of the header tank and has no pressure release, so it is acting just as an extended part of the coolant system. The header tank (left hand tank) on the other hand, has a pressure cap which simply vents to atmosphere, so there is no way for coolant to be recovered.

Am I wrong?

[OziSteve]

Thanks Will,

Yes that's exactly how it is now and you have confirmed what I thought.

I am changing the setup as follows, running the steam vent into a T with the radiator purge and into the top of the left hand header tank (swirl pot) with the pressure cap venting to the right hand tank, now acting as a conventional unpressurised recovery tank.

I think that's right?

[OziSteve]

As I understand it, it works if the radiator cap on the left tank is a double seal type cap designed for recovery systems, so bidirectional.

Under pressure when hot it opens to allow coolant out into the recovery tank on the right. Under vacuum when cold it opens in the opposite direction to draw coolant back into the systemfrom the recovery tank.