Coolant Expansion Tank Replacement Straightforward?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: State of Perplexity California
Coolant Expansion Tank Replacement Straightforward?
Hi all,
On my '99 C5, on the top of the coolant expansion / recovery tank, is a nipple that connects to a (looks like) 1/4 ID rubber hose that heads toward the top of the radiator. That plastic nipple is cracked where it meets the tank, and leaks a small amount of coolant sometimes. Especially after shutting the car off when it is hot.
Questions, please:
1) I presume the correct fix for this is replacement of the complete tank (I really don't want to dink around with epoxy, etc. and hope it lasts.) Is this the proper fix?
2) The replacement of the tank looks extremely straight-forward. Are there any surprises I should know about?
3) Do I need to order any new gaskets, o-rings, etc. to complete the job correctly, or just the new tank?
Tanks! err, I mean, Thanks! ....:o
On my '99 C5, on the top of the coolant expansion / recovery tank, is a nipple that connects to a (looks like) 1/4 ID rubber hose that heads toward the top of the radiator. That plastic nipple is cracked where it meets the tank, and leaks a small amount of coolant sometimes. Especially after shutting the car off when it is hot.
Questions, please:
1) I presume the correct fix for this is replacement of the complete tank (I really don't want to dink around with epoxy, etc. and hope it lasts.) Is this the proper fix?
2) The replacement of the tank looks extremely straight-forward. Are there any surprises I should know about?
3) Do I need to order any new gaskets, o-rings, etc. to complete the job correctly, or just the new tank?
Tanks! err, I mean, Thanks! ....:o
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 2
From: Auburn Michigan
Piece of cake.
I took mine off to paint it.
Just drain enough antifreeze so the level in the radiator is below the lowest point of the tank.
That way you won't spill much fluid.
Keep us posted and good luck
Fireman591
I took mine off to paint it.
Just drain enough antifreeze so the level in the radiator is below the lowest point of the tank.
That way you won't spill much fluid.
Keep us posted and good luck
Fireman591
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: State of Perplexity California
Thanks folks.
@ MagRedConv,
Thanks. I searched those terms, but I guess I'm not a very good searcher! I'll try harder next time. If I get stuck, I'll pull out the (rather encyclopedic!) 3-volume dealer service manual I have, but I will have to go to the gym to get in shape to lift it!
@ fireman591,
Thanks much! That's what I was hoping to hear!
-Toxdoc
@ MagRedConv,
Thanks. I searched those terms, but I guess I'm not a very good searcher! I'll try harder next time. If I get stuck, I'll pull out the (rather encyclopedic!) 3-volume dealer service manual I have, but I will have to go to the gym to get in shape to lift it!
@ fireman591,
Thanks much! That's what I was hoping to hear!
-Toxdoc
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: State of Perplexity California
fireman591,
Thanks. I finally found time to do it. I allocated an hour, the whole thing took like 15 minutes, no instructions needed. Just a 10mm socket and pliers for the spring hose clamps. Thanks!
Thanks. I finally found time to do it. I allocated an hour, the whole thing took like 15 minutes, no instructions needed. Just a 10mm socket and pliers for the spring hose clamps. Thanks!
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,932
Likes: 4
From: Warrenville Il
It is a piece of cake just be sure to get the correct model year tank as different years will look very similiar, but the coolant level sensor will not work properly, even though it looks all correct, and plugs in. In early years such as the 99's the float switch worked differently. If you get the wrong one you will end up getting a low coolant indicator light, even if the tank is filled to the proper height. The float switch is inside the tank and not removeable.
