Coolant Overflow tank problem

[eclipse]

the factory overflow tank on my 89 burb kept cracking and it finally broke beyond repair. Instead of wasting time finding another cracked one at a junk yard or shipping on one from LMC, I thought hey I'll get one from Summit (down the street from my house, yes that makes living in Sparks Nevada badass!)

Anyhow I bought a cheap plastic quart overflow tank and rigged it up. It doesn't seem to be refilling back into the radiator, instead it burps out of a small 1/4" breather hole near the top, making it difficult to keep my coolant full.

Has anyone had any experience with these style burp tanks?

 

[4X4HIGH]

There are overflow tanks and then there are recovery tanks. An overflow tank will not allow coolant to return to the radiator but a recovery tank will. The hose from the radiator to the tank must have a hose/tube that goes to the bottom of the tank in order for it to return back to the radiator. You also need to make sure you have a recovery cap on the radiator as well (it should have two seals under the cap).

 

[eclipse]

doh that makes sense. well looks like i'm gonna have to order the RECOVERY tank from LMC. thanks

 

[4X4HIGH]

Is there any way you can remove the fitting from the top and attach a piece of hose to reach the bottom of the tank then get the fitting back in the top? If so you will have just turned an overflow tank into a recovery tank.

 

[k20]

Could you just not flip that one over and then put a vent of some type on the bottom (now the top) since the factory one is vented?

 

[toomany]

Get yourself a pipe nipple and drill/tap the tank in the bottom.

 

[eclipse]

it has a drain valve on the bottom. I guess I could plug vent and turn it upside down. except it has a tube on the inside that is connected to the fitting at the top

 

[4X4HIGH]

it has a drain valve on the bottom. I guess I could plug vent and turn it upside down. except it has a tube on the inside that is connected to the fitting at the top

Does this tube go to the bottom of the tank? If so then it is a recovery tank and you might not have the correct radiator cap like i mentioned earlier.

 

[eclipse]

Yes the fitting at the top of the tank is connected to a tube that goes to the bottom. I can't remember if the cap has two seals, I thought it did. Or maybe is worn out and only lets coolant pass one way?



edit....
this is the tank I put on.
http://store.summitracing.com/partd...474&view=1&N=700+4294924500+400304+4294921541

"Recirculating: No"

 

[dyeager535]

Is the breather open or one-way/pressure valved? If it's pressure or one way, then *I would think* you should be able to punch it out, although it would be a source for leaks if it sloshed around.

 

[eclipse]

you talking about the breather on the radaitor cap?

 

[dyeager535]

No, that's gotta be setup right. I'm talking about the tank. The tank reservoir needs to breathe, otherwise it won't come back out. If the valve in the reservoir lets the coolant displace air as it enters (IE the valve lets air out, not back in) then the radiator won't ever refill. If the reservoir was completely sealed, or open, the coolant would be the only thing that could be picked up as the radiator pressure dropped.

 

[eclipse]

there only seems to be an elbow at the top for an inlet and an inch off from that a small hole drilled in the tank