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View Full Version : How does the radiator overflow bottle work?



alcraig
05-01-2012, 08:49 PM
Can anyone shed some light on the design of the plastic overflow bottle on my 1994 GL?
I lose a lot of coolant (down to just water now, until I can stem the tide).
But I can't see any leaks, and I don't think its leaking into the cylinders or oil system.
There is what appears to be a leak in the side of the overflow bottle, which I only note when I am sloppily refilling and after I've screwed the pressure cap back on. The leak appears to be coming out of the side that is closest to the mounting bracket, and up against the fender, so I can't tell if its a flaw or a feature. The leak is at the "equator" at what appears to be the "seam" joining the 2 halves.

Is this normal?
And,
How does the design of the double chamber in the resevoir work exactly?

Just curious, but would like to fix the leak, give the system a flush and fill up with proper coolant / water.

Al

73landau
05-01-2012, 09:05 PM
The overflow bottle is more of the air gap used in an old style system. The fill line is to ensure the system has some compliance when the water is hot. It sounds like you have a leak on the seam of the tank. Time to get a new reservior tank. Also not having coolant in the engine will lead to increased corrosion and lack of lubrication to the water pump.
Time to spend some money :-(

schoona
05-01-2012, 09:09 PM
and hotter running motor etc...

had the same problem with my 94 VR (well my sister has it in sydney)...

ended up being a hole in the radiator for me.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii140/schoona/VR6Radiator.jpg

keen?