coolant boil-over tank
07-06-2003, 09:28 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 548
coolant boil-over tank
this past spring I flushed my cooling system... completely.... for about 45 minutes with clean clear water running through the engine and radiator. I made sure there was nothing left. I also replaced the thermostat and put in a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze/water in there. the hydrometer measured it to around -40 degrees...or somewhere around there. now when I run the car the water temperature gauge hovers at exactly halfway, which is normal, and the heater blows out air hot enough to baste a turkey. just the way I like it. this past winter, I suffered from a stuck-open thermostat which didn't allow any heating up of the coolant. the temp gauge never left C and I couldn't get any warm air from the vents. miserable. I could open the radiator cap after 4 hours of driving and the coolant would only be slightly warm.
All fixed now.
however, I went to clean out the boil-over tank and noticed a thick black crud built up on the inside that I can't seem to wash out. the opening is too thin to get anything in there. I think it's from the old coolant, maybe metal crud from the radiator that got washed away. I don't want to put it back on until that stuff is cleaned out of there, I don't need it going BACK into the radiator. has anybody else experienced this problem? I'm sure it's normal but I don't know how often the coolant was changed... the old coolant was a mixture of dark green and brown, so I suspect it wasn't well maintained. but that's ok cos she's in good hands now.
right now I have the escape hose running into a clear plastic root beer bottle. this way I can at least catch the coolant. does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning that stuff out of there?
Dan
-----------------------
1988 Nissan Maxima SE
(REBORN in 2003)
SHIFT_new beginnings
All fixed now.
however, I went to clean out the boil-over tank and noticed a thick black crud built up on the inside that I can't seem to wash out. the opening is too thin to get anything in there. I think it's from the old coolant, maybe metal crud from the radiator that got washed away. I don't want to put it back on until that stuff is cleaned out of there, I don't need it going BACK into the radiator. has anybody else experienced this problem? I'm sure it's normal but I don't know how often the coolant was changed... the old coolant was a mixture of dark green and brown, so I suspect it wasn't well maintained. but that's ok cos she's in good hands now.
right now I have the escape hose running into a clear plastic root beer bottle. this way I can at least catch the coolant. does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning that stuff out of there?
Dan
-----------------------
1988 Nissan Maxima SE
(REBORN in 2003)
SHIFT_new beginnings
07-06-2003, 11:42 PM
#2
hmmm, maybe try spraying some degreaser let it sit and then rinse and empty until everything is clean. See what happens from there. Either that, or you can try using a tooth brush to get in there to clean the walls up.
S
S
07-07-2003, 04:24 PM
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 548
I thought of it but I didn't think a degreaser would remove metal crud build-up.... but I'll try it anyway, I'll have to plug the hole on the bottom with something. I really don't want to re-install it with that stuff in there because it'll just get back in the cooling system.
anyway...I'll take your suggestion....thanks!
Dan
anyway...I'll take your suggestion....thanks!
Dan
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
My Coffee
New Member Introductions
15
06-06-2017 02:01 PM