Do you put coolant in the expansion tank?
Usually the proper coolant level in the tank, and therefore the cooling system, is determined when the engine is cold; if the coolant in the expansion tank is at the “cold” level when the engine is cold then you’re good to go. A cold engine is also when you add coolant if the level is below the “cold” marking.
Is it normal for coolant to expand?
Coolant does not expand when hot. The ‘expansion tank’ is probably better referred to as an overflow tank. Coolant flows out of the radiator when the radiator has too much coolant, into this expansion tank, as a storage point.
How much does radiator coolant expand?
Thermal expansion occurs as coolant accumulates heat from the engine. The 6% of the expansion volume is calculated from the amount that the coolant level will rise at 212 degrees F. This takes into account the density change of the coolant itself and all the components that are in the coolant system.
What happens if expansion tank fails?
Oftenthe diaphragm dividing the two systems will fail, causing the two systems to become one. When this happens, the expansion tank turns into a “dead leg” that will eventually cause damage and premature failure to your water heater.
Why is coolant coming out of my radiator?
When pressure begins to build in the cooling system, coolant will be forced out much like a spray nozzle from a water hose. While this can happen from any number of cooling system components, it is very common for the upper plastic tank on the radiator to crack and only spray when it is pressurized.
Where does the coolant come from in a car?
The reservoir is not where the leak is coming from and it isn’t the best place to check the coolant level. The coolant expansion tank is there to capture the expansion of the coolant in the rest of the system. The spraying of coolant in the engine compartment occurs after the cooling system pressurizes.
Is there a leak in the coolant reservoir?
You definitely have a leak somewhere in the cooling system. The reservoir is not where the leak is coming from and it isn’t the best place to check the coolant level. The coolant expansion tank is there to capture the expansion of the coolant in the rest of the system.
What kind of coolant is brown on bottom?
I looked at the radiator hoses (which, incidentally, are in very poor condition) and noticed about a 1mm of brown, rust-coloured sludge on the bottom of the hoses. I did a flush of the system with a cleaning product combined with demineralised and again drained the system.