Will i lose radiator fluid if?

Question

i am using a radiator, and the top part, where theres a hose that goes the resevoir tank ... the plastic part where the hose would attach is broken off, and so i cant connect a resevoir tank to it.

Will i be losing a substantial amount of radiator fluid as i drive? (perhaps from the pressure that is built inside the radiator)

Answer 1

Not really needed.

It is a catch tank, if it is not connected, coolant will leak on to the ground as the engine heats up and pressure is released through the cap. As the engine cools, instead of coolant being sucked from the tank, air will be sucked in. The air will be compressed and pushed back out the next time the vehicle reaches normal operating temperature.

There isn't a problem running the vehicle without the hose (unless your vehicle does have a small coolant leak). I drove an old truck for years with a simple hose to ground (no catch tank) and it doesn't cause any problems. That is the way vehicles used to be.

Answer 2

Even if the reservoir tank is not a pressurized type you will lose a bit of coolant every time the motor heats up to operating temperature. The non pressurized tank holds the antifreeze that expands when heated and allows it to return to the radiator when it cools back down, this also keeps air pockets from occurring. If the broken piece of plastic is still in the hose you might find a piece of tubing that fits inside it and epoxy it to the radiator and broken piece. This will act as a reinforcement to hold everything in position as the epoxy sets. Make sure to give it time to cure before driving the vehicle. If you don't fix it, be sure to check the antifreeze level in the radiator at least once a week and run the motor with the radiator cap off until up to operating temperature to make sure there are no air pockets. Have the heater temp control set to hot so the heater core also gets bled. If you are in a warm climate still use a 50/50 mix of antifreeze, it protects the motor from internal rust formation, not just freezing.

Answer 3

now lets answer your question so you can understand it,
First of all, when you start your engine and it reaches operating temperature, your radiator cap holds pressure in the cooling system up to whatever your pressure cap is rated at, be it 7, 10, 15 or 17 psi (pounds per square inch) when whatever your cap rating is reached it allows the excess coolant to "overflow" into a tank. Thus "holding" your coolant until it is needed.
When your engine cools down and the expanded coolant contracts the pressure in the system drops, causing a "vacuum" effect in the cooling system. and the 2nd part of the radiator cap comes into play, it allows the coolant that was sent to the "overflow" tank to be sucked back into the radiator.
so essentially what you are doing is when the cooling system expands and it goes out the overflow tube, it will go on the ground and will not be there to be sucked back in. THE OLD GREEN ANTIFREEZE IS POISONOUS TO ANYTHING THAT DRINKS IT. Attacks the central nervous system and it is a long slow death. think of that if you spill any and there is a puddle.
however, the coolant will only go dawn so far.
this is the way cars were many many years ago. before they had overflow tanks. automobile cooling systems did what is called "found their own level" i really hope this explains things for you.

Answer 4

If you have a radiator cap on the radiator it will still lose some if the engine runs a little hot, I would try somehow to replace that fitting that is broke off even if you have to get a small piece of copper tubing and stick it in the hole and J.B. weld it in there so you can hook your hose to the reservoir up.

Answer 5

I take it the radiator is still 100%. Any autoparts store has coolant recovery tanks which can be retrofitted to most any car. Nowadays most radiators are only one row off cooling fins wide and thick, margional at best. If your cooling system (radiator, block and heads) has any air trapped inside the cooling efficienty drops like a rock and your motor has a very good chance of running hot. Get a properly operating recovery tank back on your car. They cost under $25.00.

Answer 6

nice answer brian duh!!!!!!!!! that is the reason for the tank even with or with out the pressure rated cap. if there is a build up of pressure that is where the run off goes and it will suck from the tank when needed. i would get it to be on the safe side, maybe $25 to $45 part also easy to change.

Answer 7

Dont worry about a pressurized coolant tank on that type of system. Just get some JB weld and block it off, you can drive it like this until you can afford a radiator. Just dont procrastinate forever.

Answer 8

if the pressure cap is on the reservior tank you will dump it all if the reservoir is simply overflow it's not a problem