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Fox Coolant reservoir just blew up, what to do now?

  • Thread starter Thread starter James V
  • Start date Start date Dec 9, 2018

James V

5 Year Member
Feb 26, 2017
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Connecticut
Dec 9, 2018
#1
  • Dec 9, 2018
  • #1
Hi again. I have a 93 notch. It was originally a 4 cylinder car someone put a 5.0 in. I was letting the car run in the driveway for about 25 minutes and then all of a sudden a pop sound and smoke everywhere. I opened the hood after I didnt hear anymore hissing and saw a big hole in the coolant reservoir and coolant everywhere. There was pressure in the radiator hose as smoke was still coming out of the reservoir, dont know if that means anything. Someone put a cheapo Ebay radiator and fans in the car that I realize now I should have changed. When I put the car back into the on position i saw the temp read high, but i dont know if that was before or after the incident now. And also the fans didnt kick on even with the temp reading high. What do I do now? Buy a new reservoir + radiator + fans? And what could have caused this?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
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Dec 9, 2018
#2
  • Dec 9, 2018
  • #2
My guess is that there isn't a vent on that bottle so as the car warmed up, the coolant expanded and built up pressure until boom!

For now, you can stuff a 2-liter bottle in the fender and run the hose into the bottle. Will get you driving.

But you can purchase an overflow from pretty much anywhere. You want a recirculating bottle and not a puke can. Recirc bottle feed onto the bottom so when the coolant cools, the radiator will draw coolant back in it. Make sure it has a vent on top too. Small tiny hole is all you need
 
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James V

5 Year Member
Feb 26, 2017
409
144
63
Connecticut
Dec 9, 2018
#3
  • Dec 9, 2018
  • #3
Mustang5L5 said:
My guess is that there isn't a vent on that bottle so as the car warmed up, the coolant expanded and built up pressure until boom!

For now, you can stuff a 2-liter bottle in the fender and run the hose into the bottle. Will get you driving.

But you can purchase an overflow from pretty much anywhere. You want a recirculating bottle and not a puke can. Recirc bottle feed onto the bottom so when the coolant cools, the radiator will draw coolant back in it. Make sure it has a vent on top too. Small tiny hole is all you need
Click to expand...

Thanks! Yeah I dont think it was vented.
 
D

DSB88GT

Active Member
Nov 6, 2016
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38
Dec 9, 2018
#4
  • Dec 9, 2018
  • #4
I don't have a coolant reservoir and haven't had an issue in over 2 years.
 

James V

5 Year Member
Feb 26, 2017
409
144
63
Connecticut
Dec 9, 2018
#5
  • Dec 9, 2018
  • #5
DSB88GT said:
I don't have a coolant reservoir and haven't had an issue in over 2 years.
Click to expand...

How do I get rid of the reservoir than, is that safe?
 

James V

5 Year Member
Feb 26, 2017
409
144
63
Connecticut
Dec 9, 2018
#6
  • Dec 9, 2018
  • #6
Mustang5L5 said:
My guess is that there isn't a vent on that bottle so as the car warmed up, the coolant expanded and built up pressure until boom!

For now, you can stuff a 2-liter bottle in the fender and run the hose into the bottle. Will get you driving.

But you can purchase an overflow from pretty much anywhere. You want a recirculating bottle and not a puke can. Recirc bottle feed onto the bottom so when the coolant cools, the radiator will draw coolant back in it. Make sure it has a vent on top too. Small tiny hole is all you need
Click to expand...

Just had another question, why didnt the coolant tank blow up any other time? I've taken it for long drives and idled it before and it blew up while just sitting in the driveway.
 
D

DSB88GT

Active Member
Nov 6, 2016
175
37
38
Dec 9, 2018
#7
  • Dec 9, 2018
  • #7
James V said:
How do I get rid of the reservoir than, is that safe?
Click to expand...

I've driven the car in temps from the 20's to mid 90's and have had no issues.
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
20+ Year Stangneter
Aug 25, 2016
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#8
  • Dec 9, 2018
  • #8
My tires were on my car for years and one day BOOM flat tire!
What I am saying is problems happen, some small, like a leaky valve stem, some take time to develop, like too many smokey burnouts! Your puke tanks failure to hold pressure could be as small as the wrong type tank, or the wrong type tank over pressurized by a bad head gasket. If it were me I would have that radiator checked, install a new thermostat and correct puke tank.
 
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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,264
17,950
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Massachusetts
Dec 9, 2018
#9
  • Dec 9, 2018
  • #9
James V said:
Just had another question, why didnt the coolant tank blow up any other time? I've taken it for long drives and idled it before and it blew up while just sitting in the driveway.
Click to expand...

It's plastic so over time it probsbly got brittle until it finally failed. Numerous heat/pressure cycles over the years took its toll on it
 
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