Adding radiator overflow tank

[bgsmith]

I have an older tractor (1975; deere 2030) which has a radiator overflow tube that drains to the ground. Is there any problem with adding a simple overflow tank to capture the overflow when hot and return it as the radiator cools? There is space for a tank in front of the radiator.

 

[seville009]

Many threads....here's one

Is there a need for a coolant overflow tank?

I have searched for replacement tanks. All are large or custom shapes to fit in small spaces. The idea is not dead just on a lower priority. Great ideas though. -R You might also want to look at windshield washer reservoir bottles. Those tend to run a bit smaller some may be too small.

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[Roadworthy]

Review your project carefully. It's pretty simple to have a catch tank if you plan to return the fluid manually. If you want it to happen automatically I think you'll need a non pressure cap on your radiator to allow fluid to flow freely to and from the catch tank. The catch tank would then have the pressure cap. Of course the overflow hose would extend to the bottom of the catch tank so it wouldn't suck air back into your radiator.

 

[jaxs]

The cooling system will benifit by way of slightly better cooling capability and more so by less corrosion. If coolant doesn't return during cool down,you'll need a different radiator cap. I've had less than optimum results by coating lip on radiator neck with rtv to serve as gasket which is on coolant recovery caps.

 

[Fixastuff]

I've never seen one of those systems actually return coolant to the radiator. I have seen more than a few tractors overheated because owners looked there and saw plenty of antifreeze when in fact the radiator was empty....they do work for catching overflow though.

 

[jaxs]

I've never seen one of those systems actually return coolant to the radiator. I have seen more than a few tractors overheated because owners looked there and saw plenty of antifreeze when in fact the radiator was empty....they do work for catching overflow though.

I have seen only a few on tractors. I find it amazing that you've seen that many on tractors with unattenetive owners.

 

[Fixastuff]

I have seen only a few on tractors. I find it amazing that you've seen that many on tractors with unattenetive owners.

Used to work on tractors then ran a shop for a while. The stuff you see from owners when you do it all the time is amazing, you are correct.

 

[RalphVa]

I have an older tractor (1975; deere 2030) which has a radiator overflow tube that drains to the ground. Is there any problem with adding a simple overflow tank to capture the overflow when hot and return it as the radiator cools? There is space for a tank in front of the radiator.

Did it on the 1983 Benz and on our Isuzu diesel generator driver. Just drill a hole into about a liter or 2 container, pour in an inch or two of coolant and run the tube into it.

 

[LouNY]

Yes, you can add an over flow tank. You will need a sealed pressure cap for the radiator,
your deere dealer or auto parts store should have one.
The sealed ones are designed for recovery bottles they will draw a vacuum as the system
cools to suck back out of the recovery tank.
And yes periodically you should remove the radiator cap to verify your coolant is full to the top
when using a recovery bottle.

 

[RalphVa]

Yes, you can add an over flow tank. You will need a sealed pressure cap for the radiator,
your deere dealer or auto parts store should have one.
The sealed ones are designed for recovery bottles they will draw a vacuum as the system
cools to suck back out of the recovery tank.
And yes periodically you should remove the radiator cap to verify your coolant is full to the top
when using a recovery bottle.

I never changed radiator caps. With an overflow reservoir, it'll just suck liquid up instead of air. Any air will be in the reservoir.

 

[rScotty]

Always check that there is fluid in the radiator by removing the cap - don't just look to see if there is fluid in reservoir. Fluid in the reservoir doesn't necessarily tell you about the fluid in the radiator. I've seen the same as Fixastuff mentions.
Yes, removing the radiator cap usually loses a few drops when you do so but it is harmless.
rScotty

 

[Rebeldad1]

A simple fix. Done a lot on old cars and trucks. A simple tank with a hole in the cap. attach a 1/4 or 3/8 hose to the outlet tube from the radiator and the other end into the hole in the overflow tank. Hose goes almost to the bottom. Run it for a couple days and all should be fine. if not you may need a new cap.
And yes check the radiator once in a while.

 

[Rebeldad1]

Amazon has a TON! of them

 

[LouNY]

I never changed radiator caps. With an overflow reservoir, it'll just suck liquid up instead of air. Any air will be in the reservoir.

Not all caps are well sealed I have seen many older convention caps that did not seal under a vacuum and would not draw back from an
over flow bottle. I have also seen newer caps loose the ability to seal a vacuum and stop pulling the fluid back into the radiators.
When these newer systems stop refilling themselves it is either a hose leak or a cap not sealing completely.

 

[rScotty]

Even if the caps don't seal well under a vacuum - and I've seen the same thing - it really doesn't make a big difference since all radiators have an overflow tube. Without the reservoir to at least catch the overflow the radiator just piddles on the ground where an animal can lick it up because it's tastes sweet - and then they die.
Put on a reservoir.

 

[ns_in_tex]

The overflow tank went bad on one of my tractors, maybe 20 years ago. There was room, so we grabbed a anti freeze jug and replaced it. Still there working fine.

 

[Kschwennsen]

sounds like a fun rat rod project! Make the catch container out of an old booze bottle to add character.

 

[sixdogs]

Amazon has a TON! of them

Street rod places lave lots of them as well from very simple to very complex. Summit Racing, Speedway Motors, Jegs...

 

[franklin2]

Even if the caps don't seal well under a vacuum - and I've seen the same thing - it really doesn't make a big difference since all radiators have an overflow tube. Without the reservoir to at least catch the overflow the radiator just piddles on the ground where an animal can lick it up because it's tastes sweet - and then they die.
Put on a reservoir.

There are advantages to running an official "recovery" bottle. The main one is increased volume of coolant.

Coolant expands when it heats up. It needs a place to go. A regular cooling system with no recovery bottle must have a air space in the top of the radiator. If you fill the radiator to the top, it will puke out the extra fluid till it finds the space it needs. When it cools there will be a air space in the top of the radiator.

If you want to get rid of this air space on top of the radiator you can, if you run a recovery system and recovery bottle. When the coolant expands, it goes into the recovery bottle. When it cools, it sucks the coolant out of the bottle back into the radiator, keeping the radiator completely full.

But as was mentioned, not all radiator caps are created equal. Some will suck the coolant back into the radiator, flowing coolant both directions. Some won't and you just end up catching the extra coolant, and still end up with a air space in the top of the radiator.

Try your radiator cap and see what happens.