13 replies to this topic

[bangermadness08]

hi folks

my old plastic expansion tank that fits under the wheel arch is a bit grud, can a shiny new metal one be adequate to provide the same sealed cooling

[Ethel]

No reason why not.

 

Match up an equivalent pressure cap and fitting height so it doesn't syphon itself full and leave the radiator full of air instead.

[Pops_Guild]

There's a difference between looking crappy and broken, it's quite an important part of the SPi. I would thing you could replace with a metal version but as per Ethels comments position and the needs are important, as is size.

 

If you're on Facebook I recently wrote a post on why the expansion tank is important...(1) Classic Mini NLA: Rare & Alternative parts – Posts | Facebook

[bangermadness08]

No reason why not.

Match up an equivalent pressure cap and fitting height so it doesn't syphon itself full and leave the radiator full of air instead.

what do you mean by pressure cap match? match to the radiator cap?

[bangermadness08]

there's 800ml aluminium expansion tanks on ebay, funds are tight so needs must. I aim to have it tucked inside the wheel arch as the old plastic one

[nicklouse]

there's 800ml aluminium expansion tanks on ebay, funds are tight so needs must. I aim to have it tucked inside the wheel arch as the old plastic one

What is the Mini? Can’t think of one that has an expansion tank under the wing.

[Johnmar]

there's 800ml aluminium expansion tanks on ebay, funds are tight so needs must. I aim to have it tucked inside the wheel arch as the old plastic one

What is the Mini? Can’t think of one that has an expansion tank under the wing.

Every standard SPI has an expantion tank under the LH side wing.

[nicklouse]

 

 

there's 800ml aluminium expansion tanks on ebay, funds are tight so needs must. I aim to have it tucked inside the wheel arch as the old plastic one

What is the Mini? Can’t think of one that has an expansion tank under the wing.

Every standard SPI has an expantion tank under the LH side wing.

 

But is it a pressurised one or just an overflow type. As the metal one being discussed sounds incorrect.

[Johnmar]

 

 

 

there's 800ml aluminium expansion tanks on ebay, funds are tight so needs must. I aim to have it tucked inside the wheel arch as the old plastic one

What is the Mini? Can’t think of one that has an expansion tank under the wing.

Every standard SPI has an expantion tank under the LH side wing.

 

But is it a pressurised one or just an overflow type. As the metal one being discussed sounds incorrect.

 

 

The SPi cooling system on a Mini is sealed, non-vented and pressurised.

But now I see what you're saying: the aluminium ones are just overflow tanks (as in: are not sealed and could be venting). If they cant build up pressure they are a no go.

[MaximMini]

It's a vented tank with a small black plastic plug looking similar to a fixing.

[Ethel]

 

No reason why not.

Match up an equivalent pressure cap and fitting height so it doesn't syphon itself full and leave the radiator full of air instead.

what do you mean by pressure cap match? match to the radiator cap?

 

The radiator cap has a return valve so it can suck back coolant when it cools. If you use a rigid pressurised tank it could hold a vacuum & stop coolant returning.

 

Unless you had something like this in mind, which hopefully has a vented cap \7 would be ideally mounted so the radiator fill level is above the connection pipe, but below the cap.

 

There are plastic alternatives, or you could make your own with a water bottle & bulkhead/tank pipe fitting.

[bangermadness08]

No reason why not.

Match up an equivalent pressure cap and fitting height so it doesn't syphon itself full and leave the radiator full of air instead.

what do you mean by pressure cap match? match to the radiator cap?

The radiator cap has a return valve so it can suck back coolant when it cools. If you use a rigid pressurised tank it could hold a vacuum & stop coolant returning.

Unless you had something like this in mind, which hopefully has a vented cap \7 would be ideally mounted so the radiator fill level is above the connection pipe, but below the cap.

There are plastic alternatives, or you could make your own with a water bottle & bulkhead/tank pipe fitting.

thats the one I have been looking at. would another expansion tank for a different car also work with just one inlet pipe?

[Ethel]

Anything will work if it holds the coolant at near enough the same level as in the radiator and covers the end of the connecting pipe to syphon back to the radiator. It'll work without a tank too, it was added for environmental reasons.

[Bobbins]

Have you tried cleaning the old one in a dishwasher?