Is there a need for a coolant overflow tank?

[Mattt2778]

Years back when I'd go trail riding with my motocross bike I'd fab up a recovery tank out of turkey baster. Pretty simple to do, you just run the overflow hose into the bottom of the baster, then fab up a cap and add an addition hose out of the top. Wire tie where appropriate and move on with life. Cost about three dollars and works great.

 

[ovrszd]

My 73 CJ5 didn't have one. My 77 F150 did. Both had copper radiators.

I'm going to be putting one in that's air tight as possibe. That way no dirt will get into the cooling system.

-R

If you create an airtight overflow tank you will explode it the first time your vehicle pukes fluid into the tank. It has to be well vented and allowed to "breathe".

 

[rdinatal]

If you create an airtight overflow tank you will explode it the first time your vehicle pukes fluid into the tank. It has to be well vented and allowed to "breathe".

I said air tight as possible. I understand that pressure must be equalized. There are small filters that will keep dust out.

-R

 

[ovrszd]

I said air tight as possible. I understand that pressure must be equalized. There are small filters that will keep dust out.

-R

Sorry I misunderstood. Airtight as possible means no vent.

 

[rdinatal]

After looking for a tank I decided to just leave it as is. Why?

- Could not find a tank small enough
- Any "custom" tank would look like carp
- Basically it's not needed

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll just let it pee on the floor and wipe it up till it stops. Anyway it's a great spot for a spare battery tender!

-R

 

[SimpleSimon]

A custom carp tank might look like crap, but I bet a trout tank would look gooood.......

 

[Gary Fowler]

What does the space look like on the back side of the radiator. A recovery tank doesn't have to be mounted in front of the radiator. I suspect that you will have a lot more room behind the radiator for a tank.

 

[rdinatal]

What does the space look like on the back side of the radiator. A recovery tank doesn't have to be mounted in front of the radiator. I suspect that you will have a lot more room behind the radiator for a tank.

Maybe on a full size but on a SCUT everything is packed in. I don't think that you could work without removing some items to get room.

-R

 

[dickfoster]

After looking for a tank I decided to just leave it as is. Why?

- Could not find a tank small enough
- Any "custom" tank would look like carp
- Basically it's not needed

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll just let it pee on the floor and wipe it up till it stops. Anyway it's a great spot for a spare battery tender!

-R

A plastic quart milk bottle would probably work for you. It doesn't need to be anything fancy. As far as need one would think it's not a bad idea to have one since almost every car and truck on the road today has one. If you're good with your hands you can make almost anything look good. Remember if you can't hide it, highlight it so it looks intentional.

 

[Ford850]

Even my mowers have these tanks. I'm really surprised the aren't mandated these days, thinking of all the other regulations, since radiators puke antifreeze onto the ground without one. I like them now that they're on practically everything because they can be a quick indicator of problems. It's nice to take a glance at them every time you're under the hood, and can be monitored between hot and cold fluid temps which is something you can't do easily with the radiator cap.