water level in radiator

Post by **mollyone** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:36 pm

I dont know if I have a problem or not when I fill the radiator to 1/2inch from the bottom of the filler neck according to the book it always blows out the water until it reaches 2inches below I have tried fitting a 7lb long reach cap but it stil happens any ideas??

Post by **Willie** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:45 pm

Do not fret, that is perfectly normal, as long as the level does not continue to drop you have no problems.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:20 pm

Good tip is to mount a catch tank and lead the overflow pipe into the tank. When the engine cools down it sucks the water back into the rad!

Post by **alex_holden** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 9:59 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Good tip is to mount a catch tank and lead the overflow pipe into the tank. When the engine cools down it sucks the water back into the rad!

Series Land Rovers have that exact setup.

Post by **Axolotl** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:45 pm

Thought that only worked if you have a sealed system with a plain cap on the radiator and the pressure relief cap on the overflow tank?

Othewrwise, how does it a) generate suction past the seal in the radiator cap, and b) get the water back past the seal?

Post by **alex_holden** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 10:55 pm

I can't remember now how the pipe hooked up to the radiator, but the overflow bottle definitely wasn't pressurised.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 11:18 pm

Good tip is to mount a catch tank and lead the overflow pipe into the tank. When the engine cools down it sucks the water back into the rad!

It only works with a twin seal cap (like on seriesLland Rover) - therefore not possible on a Minor.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Apr 23, 2007 11:39 pm

Mine works fine ! The catch tank is just a stout plastic bottle - open top (narrow neck) - with the overflow pipe run down into it. When the system cools it sucks the water back up through the rad cap - it may indeed not be a standard cap - but it fits the Minor rad, and came with the car.

Post by **forbesg** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:23 am

A non pressurized catch tank is what all the older Japanese cars had. I cannot see why it would not work on a minor - if you were so inclined.

Post by **Judge** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:12 am

It works on my convertible. Fixed cap on radiator and pressurised cap on expansion bottle

Post by **dunketh** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:27 am

Radiator finds its own level.

1/2 inch from the bottom of the filler neck is way too high - mine usually sits with the water just covering the fin area inside by about a couple of inches.

I shouldn't bother fitting a remote expansion tank. Thats what all that space in the top of the rad is for. Why add clutter when you dont need to.

Post by **stevey** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:04 pm

I shouldn't bother fitting a remote expansion tank

yeah besides always helps to add fresh water.

as long as the water level is above the fins you should have no problems.

Post by **Judge** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:29 pm

To clarify, I would say that my convertible is fitted with a 1275 engine.