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Has anyone had a problem with a radiator tank on a 1995 corvette? I think mine is leaking where the neck goes into the tank.If I replace it will i have to blead the cooling system? I know there is a air bleader screw by the water oump,but when do you know when you need to blead out the air?? Car now in storage,but spring will soone be here.Thanks for any help.
cvblack95
Bleeder swcrew on t/stat housing. Take cap off and leave itoff for now, fill the surge tank (by the firewall), wrap a rag around the bleeder screw, start the motor and bleed the air. Keep it running until the t/stat opens, adding coolant as necessary, bleed it again with t/stat open. Should be all you need to do.
You didn't say how much coolant is leaking but is the pressure cap on tight? Is the rubber gasket on the inside of the pressure cap in good shape? Is there any visual indication of a crack in the tank especially around the filler neck? Pressure caps are not real expensive so maybe a new cap would help.
Because the tank is above the rest of the system, you may not have to bleed or "burp" the cooling system using the bleed screw on the 'stat housing.
To replace the pressure tank, remove as much coolant as you can from the old tank with a turkey baster and then disconnect the hoses being careful to not let the hoses drop down and drain water out of them. Install the new tank and fill with fresh coolant to about 3/4 full.
Start the engine with the pressure cap off. Let the engine idle until the thermostat opens. You should see a drop in the coolant level. Run the engine at around 1000-1200 RPM and add more coolant until the level is just at the bottom of the filler neck hole. Replace the pressure cap and shut the engine off.
Let the engine cool down (overnight would be best) and then check the level of coolant down in the overflow tank. Add any fresh coolant as necesary so the level is at the "Cold" mark. You can then watch the level there and add any more coolant as necessary. After 2 or 3 cycles of heating the coolant to operating temp followed by a complete cooldown should remove any air.
You didn't say how much coolant is leaking but is the pressure cap on tight? Is the rubber gasket on the inside of the pressure cap in good shape? Is there any visual indication of a crack in the tank especially around the filler neck? Pressure caps are not real expensive so maybe a new cap would help.
Because the tank is above the rest of the system, you may not have to bleed or "burp" the cooling system using the bleed screw on the 'stat housing.
To replace the pressure tank, remove as much coolant as you can from the old tank with a turkey baster and then disconnect the hoses being careful to not let the hoses drop down and drain water out of them. Install the new tank and fill with fresh coolant to about 3/4 full.
Start the engine with the pressure cap off. Let the engine idle until the thermostat opens. You should see a drop in the coolant level. Run the engine at around 1000-1200 RPM and add more coolant until the level is just at the bottom of the filler neck hole. Replace the pressure cap and shut the engine off.
Let the engine cool down (overnight would be best) and then check the level of coolant down in the overflow tank. Add any fresh coolant as necesary so the level is at the "Cold" mark. You can then watch the level there and add any more coolant as necessary. After 2 or 3 cycles of heating the coolant to operating temp followed by a complete cooldown should remove any air.
Thank you very much for such a good explanition.Ihave replaced the cap and as far as how much is leaking out I have not keep track,but when the engine gets hot I see fluid on the lip of the tank which than runs off into the engine compartment and frame rail.It is hard to tell as the fluid is everwere,but I think it is seeping up from where the radiator cap neck goes into the tank.I have tried to tighten up the hoes clamps and nothing changes,I have not removed the hoses yet to see if maybe the hose clamp has wore a hole in the hose.One time when I turned the engine off I thought I heard a hissing noise comming from the neck or hoses I did try to pressure check it,but the pressure would leak out fast with no sign of fluid leak.Maybe the checker was bad as it was very well used.I now have the vett in winter storage and only start it once a month and it starts leaking whe the engine gets hot,probabily when the thermonstat opens.Hopefuly this long midwest winter is about over and I can start working on it.Do you think I can find a used tank or get mine repaired?Or maybe it is not worth taking the chance and just purchase a new tank.
Thanks again for all of your help.