leaking seam in expansion tank now overheating.

H

Hoot

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
234
0
52
Bloomfield twp, MI
hey guys my rover has been kicking my ass lately and today was a topper for me thus far. I came out of the CompUSA store (which is always stressful in its way) and there was a nice little puddle of my coolant on the ground. I popped the hood and could see that the fluid had been leaking out of left side of the expansion tank right at the seam. It is leaking on the side next to the fuse box. Well I had had this happen before and had kept it filled up with coolant so I know it was full. I had not known at the time that the leak was coming from the expansion tank or I would have replaced it last time. I was trying to wait to see where the leak was coming form the next time it happened. so the next time happened today.

The amount of fluid on the ground today was enough for me to know that there was an issue to be addressed now but not enough for me to think I couldn't get it home. well on the way home it started to get nice and hot. I had the heater cranked up towards the end to try and draw off some of the heat. luckily enough It did not go into the red hash. it stayed just within the upper white hash.

So my question is: does this just sound like I lost more fluid then I had thought and I need to change the expansion tank out pronto and top off my fluids or does this sound like I have a different issue?

any help is appreciated.
 
Colorado Scott

Colorado Scott

Well-known member
Oct 25, 2005
587
0
Highlands Ranch, CO
If you have a leak, the cooling system will operate at a much higher temp than designed. Change the tank; bleed the system and pressure test.

We had a guy on the trail in Moab with the exact same problem. We used a pair of ViseGrips to clamp the seam together and it sealed the tank for the last two days of trails, and for the 4 hour trip back to Salt Lake City!
 
H

Hoot

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
234
0
52
Bloomfield twp, MI
two things. first, how do i pressure test the system? second, the last time i changed out the radiator hoses i replaced the plastic radiator bleed plug on the top with the fancey brass replacement plug. last week when i was checking the system for leaks I tried to remove the brass plug and it wouldn't budge. any tips on how to loosen it up?

thanks again for the help
 
H

Hoot

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
234
0
52
Bloomfield twp, MI
hey guys i replaced my expansion tank on sunday and got rid of my wanky brass radiator bleeder plug and put back in a stock plastic one. I bled the system and refilled the coolant. I drive it out on a road trip up the coast of CA to pt reyes drove it up and down the steep hilly northern california terrain with my wife in the passenger seat and the AC going the whole time. I had no problems. the heat guage sat right where it should the whole time.

today coming back from an interview i started overheating bad on the way home. i live in the oakalnd hills so there is about a 3 mile steep climb back to my house. it was all the way to the red by the time i noticed it. DAMN!! what the hell is causing it to overheat now? whats the next thing for me to check? there are no coolant leaks. after the rover cooled down i checked the expansion tank and it was full to the fill line, right where it should be.

Whats the next move for me to make? what is the likely culprit? what is the process i take to track down my issue?

any help will be appreciated.
 
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E

Eddie 1

Guest
Maybe a cloged radiator or try changing the viscous unit (the fan clutch)!
 
E

eddiescurrent

Guest
Hey Hoot.. How do you go with your problem...?

I have a similar problem, but the coolant is coming out from under the cap, and also have over heating problems...

Did you flush your rad..?

Ed
 
Ed Cheung

Ed Cheung

Well-known member
Aug 23, 2006
1,584
2
Hong Kong
I had the same problem after a leak in the expansion tank. After replaced it, the truck still overheat when going uphill below 30 mph with the A/C on. And losing 1 liter of coolant every 400-500 mile.
 
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