coolant

[Rudy10thsvt]

Hi all, I have an 88 gt with aluminum radiator(dont know the brand) and elec contour fan with one of those popular SVE coolant expansion tank, the skinny bottle shape one.
my problem is when my engine warms up and I take it for a 25 minutes drive, and my coolant starts circulating, it would damp coolant to my expansion tank which everyone is saying normal. coolant heats up it expand and radiator cap opens up to damp coolant to reservoir. but my experience is, it damps alot of coolant to reservoir and some of the coolant would vent out of the tank. and when the engine cools down overnight it would suck the coolant back from the tank. But since some of the coolant was vent out of the tank, the tank now would be empty. is that mean the tank is too small for my car?

 

[General karthief]

Yes..,

 

[Noobz347]

It's sounds to me like you could have additional issues.


Can you describe any maintenance you've done since this began?


Your favorite parts store should have a test kit that is something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Head-Gasket-Tester-Kit-Combustion/dp/B0F1GFD9HK/ref=sr_1_3?sr=8-3

It tests the coolant for combustion gasses. If positive, you have a head gasket leak which would be consistent with a constantly overflowing reserve tank.

 

[nickyb]

After you test your coolant ,if you still have the original overflow tank put it in and see what happens.

 

[JD1964]

After you test your coolant ,if you still have the original overflow tank put it in and see what happens.

Trouble with this might be the factory overflow tank is molded to fit onto the factory fan shroud. The op stated he has the Contour dual electric fan setup. The factory overflow tank is not a simple bolt on anymore considering the factory shroud is no longer there.

I have the Contour dual fans on my 92 and I had the same problem running the aftermarket narrow cylinder overflow tank. It was too low capacity to hold the overflow in all circumstances. Since my car has the battery mounted in the back, I had space in the factory battery tray area. In that area I mounted a larger capacity universal overflow bottle. It solved my problem of inadequate overflow capacity.

 

[JD1964]

The universal overflow I used is Dorman 54002. You can google that and get it various places

 

[fasterthangas]

The universal overflow I used is Dorman 54002. You can google that and get it various places

I use the same bottle. I have it mounted inside the driver's fender as far forward as I could get it.

 

[Mustang5L5]

I have the same problem. It's pretty common with this tank which is just a generic China-made tank (available on Amazon) The coolant tank is too small, especially if you have a 3-core radiator. I'm regularly puking fluid and then topping off.

Needs a larger tank

 

[General karthief]

I have a bracket the uses the stock overflow tank and keeps it in the stock location. I'll get a pic when I get back there.

 

[nickyb]

I have a bracket the uses the stock overflow tank and keeps it in the stock location. I'll get a pic when I get back there.

I also have the stock tank with my black magic fan.

 

[Shakerhood]

You might be able to use an overflow tank from a 1994 or 1995, if memory serves me it was similar in size to the Fox but mounted more towards the passenger side.

 

[Rudy10thsvt]

I have the same problem. It's pretty common with this tank which is just a generic China-made tank (available on Amazon) The coolant tank is too small, especially if you have a 3-core radiator. I'm regularly puking fluid and then topping off.

Needs a larger tank

that is what I think.

 

[Rudy10thsvt]

I have a bracket the uses the stock overflow tank and keeps it in the stock location. I'll get a pic when I get back there.

would like to see your setup

 

[Noobz347]

would like to see your setup

Woah there...


We just met.

 

[General karthief]

would like to see your setup

The bracket was used with an aftermarket Black Majic electric fan, I have the stock fan and shroud now.

 

[General karthief]

It bolted to the drivers side of the radiator where the two bolts for the shroud on that side. Just a piece of thin metal bent on the ends and two slotted holes for a stock overflow tank.