reservoir or coolant??

killiand

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Subject:

reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 11.02.2016 · #1

Sincere apologies for the quick post.... was about to pull out of the drive and did the last check on the oils etc... Found this reservoir and I'm not sure if it's meant to be full of coolant or not... its got a pipe down to the engine and a feed to the radiator... and an air exit at the top...

Any help would be superbly appreciated as its empty and I dont know if it's meant to be or not!!

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mad max

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 11.02.2016 · #2

Should be usually half full of coolant,

If you look carefully there is a Full and Add line on it, Full being the upper of the two,

Coolant should be between the two lines,

Safe travels

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 11.02.2016 · #3

Bit unusual for this to be empty and might indicate that you have a leak if you cant see anything might be worth having the system pressure tested, better a few bob now than a stack later for a new engine.

You will also make sure that you buy the correct type of Antifreeze when you fill up as using the wrong type could cause damage

Good luck

David

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 11.02.2016 · #4

It's usually a radiator expansion tank. Some have a low level mark saying add coolant to here. Mine is full at less than an inch of the bottom of the tank. In the car the level is almost half ways up the tank.

killiand

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 11.02.2016 · #5

Thanks a million for replies.

How would this present itself as the van regulates temperature perfectly when moving?

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 11.02.2016 · #6

Top it up to the marker line, if it's not heating up then don't worry too much about it. But if it keeps losing fluid then you need to investigate.

Take oil cap off top of engine, is it clean or covered in what looks like mayonnaise? ,

killiand

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 12.02.2016 · #7

So... Bar a bit of heat...climbing the causeway coast road in second gear after a 180 degree turn.... She has continued to run perfect - not even any Mayo ally!

I'll investigate fully when we get her home but for the moment we're parked up in bushmills enjoying the local liquid gold!

Thanks a mill for the help.... As always - massively appreciated!!

killiand

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 15.03.2016 · #8

Coming back to this - I've flushed the radiator and just want to fill it again... Can I pour in through the reservoir or do I need to do it direct into the radiator ? Radiator doesn't have a cap - just two pipes running off it!

CHAUSSON

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 15.03.2016 · #9

Quote by killiand

Killian,
Personally I would prefer to fill the Radiator as the expansion tank usually only have a small diameter pipe going to the Rad. also some systems need to be bled of air at various points other wise there will be a pocket of air in your engine and it wouldn't be properly cooled and could result in overheating.
ps. I am not familiar with your system so make sure you get the right advise.

killiand

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 15.03.2016 · #10

I'm happy to take that! Thanks a MILLION! Couldn't find any fixed advice on it all... And filled it yesterday through the radiator (but was only water and rad flush)

killiand

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Subject:

Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 15.03.2016 · #11

Can you run the engine with the top hose off? To get it circulating?

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 15.03.2016 · #12

Quote by killiand

Can you run the engine with the top hose off? To get it circulating?

Yeah, just keep an eye on the temp of course

mad max

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Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 15.03.2016 · #13

Have you a leak or is everything hunky dory?

Im no expert but as pat said get the right advise,

My advise is bring a bottle of radweld or similar just incase you would spring a leak at the worst time,
I have a bottle in garage to be safe,

Keep er country

killiand

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Subject:

Re: reservoir or coolant??

· Posted: 15.03.2016 · #14

no (known) leak! Basically the coolant was low - and when I checked it it was just really orange and I figured it was time to do a flush for good maintenance! So flushed it through and have now filled it to an approx 50:50 split. She sat in the drive with revs on for 20 mins or so - and it didn't go above 90... So fingers crossed it's in good working order now and cleaner than when I started!!
Thanks for the help! I'll be iwing pints at the next meet

(Also - had received instructions from maynooth motorhomes... But they weren't as clear once I popped the bonnet!!)

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