C70 - 2004 Coolant Expansion Tank

[GorgeousGeorge]

Howdy Everyone


I have a little question for you all..


I am planning on swapping the coolant expansion tank on my C70 this weekend, it is leaking from the rear pipe.


Is it as simple as


Remove clips
Remove tank
Replace tank
Replace clips
Re fill

Run up to temperature and top up


Hear people talking about squeezing pipes etc but is that necessary ?


Thanks in advance


Scott

[cheshired5]

As my video here shows, you drain just enough into a clean container to empty the old tank.
Disconnect any hoses and level sensor, remove tank, fit new tank, refit hoses and level sensor and refill with what you drained.

So long as you don't drain too much and create an airlock, no special procedure is required.
You'll soon know if you can't pour back in all the drained coolant in one go.

[GorgeousGeorge]

OK sounds simple but


"you drain just enough into a clean container to empty the old tank."


The plan was, cardboard on the floor, pull pipe off and let it get soaked up in said cardboard..

[cheshired5]

Coolant is poisonous so you treat it like oil when it comes to draining it and dealing with it.
It either needs to be in the car or a suitable container.

Even if you're not concerned about mess or the environment, if you just pull the hose and wait until no more coolant comes out, you're just adding extra time, expense and complication to an otherwise very straightforward job.

It's up to you though.

[GorgeousGeorge]

It's been leaking onto my drive for a while


OK I will get a turkey baster, suck out as much as possible and go from there...


Poisonous... oh now you tell me, Mrs GG stick her finger in it and tasted it to see what it was.


Thanks for your help cheshired5, fingers crossed it will all go smoothly

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by GorgeousGeorge

Poisonous... oh now you tell me, Mrs GG stick her finger in it and tasted it to see what it was.

I think most of us have done that but a dab on the tongue to see if a mystery leak has that distinctive tang isn't going to cause you a problem.
If you have pets though or random animals passing through your property, they're a little dafter and could easily lap up an unhealthy amount so you just take care with it.

[GorgeousGeorge]

Noted, will clean up any spills with bike cleaner and rinse it all down.


Last question, honest, after filling the tank back up do I run it up to temp with the cap on or off ?


Will watch the video when I get home, little awkward in an open office ..

[cheshired5]

This is why draining just enough to empty the tank is important.
Before draining, make sure the coolant is at the correct maximum level on a cold engine.
Catch any coolant that you drain in a clean container.
When you pour back in the coolant and the level in the tank is the same as it was before the drain, you don't need to do anything.

[GorgeousGeorge]

oki doki I have replaced the tank..


now the coolant warning light is on, coolant level is fine..


HELP.....

[acshortt5]

The light will come on if you forgot to plug in the float sensor, if the float in the tank is stuck at the bottom (give it a shake/tap) or if the coolant level has dropped.

Check it's plugged in and the float isn't stuck.