'89 GW Overflow Coolant tank Problem

[ajminla]

This weekend my engine heated up beyond it's normal range. I figured I had a leak. Sure enough very small leak at the petcock radiator bottom. Topped up the coolant. Have to try and get new gasket but tightening helped. I also discovered that the hose to the cooler overflow tank was not connected so connected the hose.
Next day was better but still hotter than normal. I noticed that the coolant overflow tank spigot was cracked and wet but hose was properly placed.
Wondering if there is a kind of vacuum that is formed by radiator pulling coolant that is "broken" by the crack so not enough extra coolant gets pulled.

Should I be replacing the coolant tank?
Are there aftermarket replacements?

Any thoughts ?

adam

[Don S]

..

I have successfully glued the unglue-able type plastic tanks such as the windshield washer tank on my '76 Waggie. and cracked 12 volt car batteries. It is simple. Vee grove the crack by scraping with a sharp, short blade and roughly sand the area around the crack. This step gives the JB Weld more area to lock on to.
Then with the cracked area facing upward apply a coating of slow curing JB Weld over the area. It often helps to wet-out a piece of fiberglass or nylon cloth with the JB Weld and then lay it on the cracked area. This will reinforce the repair and help keep the JB Weld in the area of repair.

The hose needs to go to the bottom of the tank with zero air leaks in the hose and the tank needs to be vented.

Good Luck.. Don S..

[661warwagon]

I have a good one off an 89 gw if interested

[letank]

This weekend my engine heated up beyond it's normal range.

You had quite a hot weekend in LA, so it is normal for the engine temp to be higher.

Should I be replacing the coolant tank?
Are there aftermarket replacements?
adam

Make sure that the coolant is staying in the recovery tank and as said above that the hose is at the near bottom of the recovery tank.


As a double check, when the engine is cold, or 60min after shut off to release pressure, use a rag and remove the radiator cap slowly, make sure that the coolant is at the top and has a nice color, no rusty brown.


Also when the coolant is cold, you can check that it is at the proper concentration using a coolant tester
50% in the winter, or 30% in the summer is still good, water cools better than coolant. If the coolant has not been changed in while, it is a good time for a coolant change.

[Gary Gable]

Bj's sells an aluminum overflow tank

I bought one, but haven't installed it yet. Quality looks really good with exception of the threaded neck/cap assembly. Threads were pretty rough. I should be able to lap them in a bit with valve lapping compound though. It was probably just a qc issue that slipped past. Should be fine once installed.

[ajminla]

YES was really hot last weekend which is why I didn't panic, but I turned off my air and still was running really hot.

I topped up the coolant in the radiator. Was nice and green not brown.
I also filled up the coolant tank and made sure the hose was down.
Gauge still showing running hotter than usual though not as extreme as on the weekend.

I am away this week so when I return home I will check the concentration.

adam


You had quite a hot weekend in LA, so it is normal for the engine temp to be higher.







Make sure that the coolant is staying in the recovery tank and as said above that the hose is at the near bottom of the recovery tank.


As a double check, when the engine is cold, or 60min after shut off to release pressure, use a rag and remove the radiator cap slowly, make sure that the coolant is at the top and has a nice color, no rusty brown.


Also when the coolant is cold, you can check that it is at the proper concentration using a coolant tester
50% in the winter, or 30% in the summer is still good, water cools better than coolant. If the coolant has not been changed in while, it is a good time for a coolant change.[/QUOTE]