what purpose does it serve? Does it just catch the coolant that comes from the radiator?
2007-01-29 06:57:55 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Older cars and trucks did not come with overflow tanks, and did quite well without them. The purpose of the overflow tank is to catch the radiator fluid that obviously overflows, but more importantly, when the engine cools, the fluid then returns to the radiator, thus keeping the radiator always full and keeping the antifreeze from going into and harming the environment. There are add-on overflow tanks available at most auto parts stores, if ;you want to add one to an older vehicle.
2007-01-29 07:07:31 · answer #1 · answered by rex_rrracefab 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is critical to have a tank because otherwise when your cooling system gets hot enough to open the valve on the radiator cap your coolant will be lost. Then the next time you drive your car it will be a little lower of coolant and can lead to problems like build up of deposits because your system will have air in it. Just think of it like a glass of salty water as the water gets lower there is not enough water to keep the salt dissolved so it sticks to the glass. These deposits act like sandpaper wearing away at things like the water pump and head gaskets and clog water passages. In short, the coolant tank keeps the system full of coolant and saves you money.
2007-01-29 15:13:43 · answer #2 · answered by mister_e79 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What kind of car was it? Coolant overflow tanks have not always been on cars. I would say sometime in the 80's they started showing up. If the car originally had one, and now does not, yeah, thats a problem.
2007-01-29 15:02:37 · answer #3 · answered by Mr. Goodkat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless the car was built in 1950 there should be a recovery tank.
(note recovery)
As the engine warms up some fluid may get pushed into the tank due to expansion, then as the system cools down after shutting the car off the fluid will get drawn back into the cooling system ensuring that the system is always full.
Then the cycle starts again.
2007-01-29 15:07:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has to be there, might just be smaller than others or down low and under things. That or it got removed for something else, during service and not returned, something.
it is just a spare tank to give the radiator system room to move liquid in and out. it expands as its hot or cold and due to temperature so it needs a place to "let off steam" or the engine itself would blow up.
think of it like a cap on a pressure cooker.....allows the excess pressure release.
2007-01-29 15:02:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Depends on the year. I had a '76 3/4ton Ford and it didn't have an overflow tank.
2007-01-29 16:29:34 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it should be there.its purpose is for expansion.when the engine gets hot and the radiator cap opens,it can flow into it and not on the ground.after a while you wont have anymore anti-freeze left if it wasnt for it.its to keep the radiator full at all times.
2007-01-29 15:08:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes and it adds coolant as well but its really just an over flow ...check your radiator cap and see if its not holding the right amount of pressure
2007-01-29 19:08:47 · answer #8 · answered by Kingofreportedabuse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is important to have this full as well. Note their is a fill mark on The side, do not fill to the top. Fill with 50/50 antifreeze, not straight water.
2007-01-29 15:03:26 · answer #9 · answered by gary o 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋