What's the current thinking on coolant recovery?

[aahsac]

My '69 200ci has the hose that exits below the radiator. I fill the radiator to the top with 50/50 coolant and even though the engine doesn't give the appearance of running hot it dumps coolant out the hose after I turn the engine off.

Thoughts?

 

[mustube]

Electric fan that is hooked up to a thermostat, so it will stay on after you turn the car off, or maybe try flushing your radiator?

 

[The Plankster Prankster]

thats normal. without a recovery tank, you'll just have to accept tht the coolant level will be a few inches down. drive it for a week, see where it is, and call it normal there. if necessary later, refill to about that level - anything more will just be wasted

 

[grocery getter]

the coolant in you're engine block gets hotter when the engine is shutoff. the coolant expands and has nowhere to go but out the overflow.

get a coolant recovery system. until then don't fill it to the top.

check you're cap also, it might be getting weak.

 

[falcon fanatic]

I just bought a cheak bicycle water bottle in a pretty color with an aluminum holder, mounted the holder low beside the rad, drilled a hole in the top of the bottle, and dropped the overflow hose in the bottle, so that it reaches near the bottom. keep the drinking valve on the water bottle open for pressure relief. Voila, $7 "recovery system". Fill the rad, top off the bottle and you are good to go.

 

[fordconvert]

My mustang got to its happy level which seems to be around 1/3 full in the upper tank and it has not been a problem even in hot weather stuck in traffic. My tractor (case 310) works pretty much the same way except it would burp out some coolant if you were working it hard on a hot day and quickly shut it off. To solve the problem I just let it sit on a fast idle for 30 seconds to a minute and it seems to cool it down enough to keep that from happening.

 

[woodbutcher]

Coolant recovery kits can be had at most parts stores for appx$10.00
plus sales tax.The one that I bought for the 74 F100 that I had included a new cap also.
Leo

 

[aahsac]

Thanks for all the input. It did settle down at about 1/3 tank and even in (this unending) hot weather in Texas it isn't burping any coolant. I'll probably piece together a recovery kit.
Hmmm, I wonder how big those new aluminum beer bottles are?

 

[Anonymous]

Coolant recovery kits can be had at most parts stores for appx$10.00
plus sales tax.The one that I bought for the 74 F100 that I had included a new cap also.
Leo

Yep, I got one for $9.99 at AutoZone. Comes with wire type hanger.

 

[blueroo]

I got a 12 ounce cherry coke, drank the coke, painted the can black, ziptied it to the radiator support and then ran the hose to it. When the motor has cooled down sufficiently it automatically draws the excess fluid back into the radiator.

 

[LaGrasta]

I'm using a clear glass olive-oil bottle so I can see the pretty green liquid. 8)

 

[THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER]

A coolant recovery bottle can increase your cooling system efficiency by 10%.

We have one of those "billet" beer bottles on our Anglia. Works well. I turned down a nylon cork stopper with two holes and made a billet clamp for it.

 

[aahsac]

Hey Flyer
It was worth asking the question to get your post!

Good on you.

 

[Geezer 300]

I'm using a clear glass olive-oil bottle so I can see the pretty green liquid. 8)

I personally wouldn't use glass... breaks too easy under vibration.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm using a Grolsch mini keg. 5 litres......looks awesome.

 

[pedal2themetal45]

I'm using a Grolsch mini keg. 5 litres......looks awesome.

WOW thats got to be big and take up alot of room..
tim

 

[LaGrasta]

I'm using a clear glass olive-oil bottle so I can see the pretty green liquid. 8)

I personally wouldn't use glass... breaks too easy under vibration.

Not sure what your six is putting out for hp, but it's not like I have a great rotating mass of torque and horsepower on hand. Plus, the bottle is suspended from the neck so it doesn't rattle or hit anything. It's been on my car for years.

 

[Geezer 300]

I'm using an aftermarket plastic set up.

 

[Anonymous]

Heck Room is definatly one thing that I have plenty of under the hood. Those sixes don't take up much!!!!!

 

[LaGrasta]

I'm using a Grolsch mini keg. 5 litres......looks awesome.

Kicking back with a Grolsch sounds so much better than what I'm doing now. Sitting in a 6x8 cubicle trying to look busy. :roll: