Expansion tank help....

[Sam Son]

The o-ring on the bottom of the expansion tank is leaking and I just happen to have a brand new expansion tank sitting in my garage. Well I drained the coolant removed the old tank...went to fit the new one and.....it doesnt fit...i guess after 15 years the stock tank grew a wee bit fat or something but the new one is smaller ever so slightly and wont fit. Awesome...Fine ill just fit a new o-ring to the old tank and put it back in the car. ...uhh no...

I cannot get the tank to seat in the radiator! WTF its got another mm or so to go further down and it would be in completely. But it wont budge any further. Im at a total loss... Is there something I'm missing? I need the car back together right meow..

Help please

[bsirbu]

I hate to say it, but if I were you, I'd just replace the radiator alltogether. The same thing happened to me last week. I replaced both the upper and lower gaskets for the expansion tank, and the darn thing was still leaking.I would think that the culprit is the lower black plastic holding duct that holds the expansion tank. After 15 years its bound to either expand (hence the bad seal) or get brittle and crack. Either way, your radiator is probably due for a change after so much time, and it isn't all that expensive to do. I'm probably gonna change mine this weekend.

[yaofeng]

Coat the o-ring with vaseline or white grease and do again. Incidentally, those who insist on using distilled water in the cooling system can ignore this. They need to buy a complete new radiator with the expansion tank.

[sfgearhead]

Coat the o-ring with vaseline or white grease and do again. Incidentally, those who insist on using distilled water in the cooling system can ignore this. They need to buy a complete new radiator with the expansion tank.

Why? I've seen lots of debates on tap vs. distilled water.

[yaofeng]

I know that. I just don't know how those who insist on using distilled water in the cooling system can deal with the coolant being contaminated by foreign substances on the o-ring.

[Sam Son]

I actually lubed it up last night and it slid right in.....:naughty

[530V8]

I know that. I just don't know how those who insist on using distilled water in the cooling system can deal with the coolant being contaminated by foreign substances on the o-ring.

Use coolant instead to lube the o-ring.

[eightynine535]

Mike,

Its sounds like high time for replacement with an all aluminum radiator.

[Sam Son]

point me in the right direction...maybe an electric fan conversion as well?

[CleanE34]

do ittt. it works better man. i had that on the touring, and when it worked, it worked. when the fan was on it was almost down to 1/3 temp.

[m60b30530i]

http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/store/screen/prod/store_code/6134/product_code/E34525SDCK.htm

$$$

[sfgearhead]

I know that. I just don't know how those who insist on using distilled water in the cooling system can deal with the coolant being contaminated by foreign substances on the o-ring.

Ah, got it. Thx.

[cornflakecwl]

http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/store/screen/prod/store_code/6134/product_code/E34525SDCK.htm

$$$
+1 on the $$$ but if ever actually do a real buildup on mine, that would DEFINATELY be on the wish list! Nice piece.

[TGreene]

do ittt. it works better man. i had that on the touring, and when it worked, it worked. when the fan was on it was almost down to 1/3 temp.

Hah, that is not a good thing.

[jfj707]

Hah, that is not a good thing.

Yeah, no kidding... say hello to carbon buildup and crap mileage...

[eightynine535]

Zionsville is smoking crack. You can get the same setup for less than half that price.

[Kashmirbeige525]

Yea didnt miller make a plug and play kit for like 300 bucks?

EDIT:
ha its actually 200
http://www.millerperformancecars.com/catalogue.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=80&category_id=40