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Coolant Header Tank Layout
the_big_1 - 15/10/20 at 08:15 AM

Hi Guys,


Below is what I think my cooling pipe layout will be. Just not sure where to add the top port of the header tank?



Davedew - 15/10/20 at 08:30 AM

On my Polo rad I have the bleed port next to the top hose connected to the top port of the header tank


the_big_1 - 15/10/20 at 08:33 AM

Hi Ya,

Have you connected the top header tank port to the top hose?


Davedew - 15/10/20 at 08:37 AM

Hi,

On my Polo radiator coming out of the side thank there is a small 8mm hose connection. This is adjacent to where the top hose connects.
I have connected this to the top of the header tank, as well as the bleed port from the standard Blacktop Zetec thermostat housing.


40inches - 15/10/20 at 08:45 AM

Header tank top port to top hose, then it shouldn't need a bleed valve


the_big_1 - 15/10/20 at 09:05 AM

Hi ya,

My polo rad doesn't have a bleed port, just top and bottom hoses.
So the this layout is all i need?

Will keep the extra bleed valve in, low cost and could help at a latter date lol


the_big_1 - 15/10/20 at 09:30 AM

hi Guys,

I do apologies! I just went and looked at my rad and there is a small 8mm connection! I totally missed it!

So the below is the way to go?


JAG - 15/10/20 at 10:40 AM

quote:

On my Polo rad I have the bleed port next to the top hose connected to the top port of the header tank



This ^ is exactly as my car as well...

...and Yes your last picture captures it perfectly.


the_big_1 - 15/10/20 at 12:13 PM

Hi Guys,

another idea I just had, to many I think, lol if I use this, would I still need a header tank or keep it just incase?
Wouldn't need bleed valve then as the fill is the highest point.



the_big_1 - 15/10/20 at 12:13 PM

Hi Guys,

another idea I just had, to many I think, lol if I use this, would I still need a header tank or keep it just incase?
Wouldn't need bleed valve then as the fill is the highest point.



the_big_1 - 15/10/20 at 02:08 PM

This was my idea. The expansion tank highest point is level with the cylinder head. The Neil Dunne thermostat pipe rad cap will be highest point.
Does this look right and do I vent the overflow pipe to atmosphere?


CosKev3 - 15/10/20 at 03:06 PM

If you fit that Neil Dunne part you don't run a header tank at all,you run the pipe off that that you have labelled to atmosphere into an expansion tank.


the_big_1 - 15/10/20 at 03:18 PM

Hi ya,

Where does it connect to, does it tee in to the bleed pipe?
Also, having the expansion tank lower than the fill point on the rail, is that still ok?


Cheers!


CosKev3 - 16/10/20 at 05:26 PM

You don't fit a header tank with that rail(the tank you've labelled up as clio expansion tank is a header tank)

An expansion tank is non pressurized and goes on the outlet of the overflow from the pressure cap on that rail,not in the cooling system/flow


the_big_1 - 16/10/20 at 05:33 PM

Hi ya,

So I don't need the clip tank at all? How does the expansion tank pipe up, ?


CosKev3 - 16/10/20 at 07:41 PM

I can't upload images on this old forum......

Google expansion tanks and plenty of diagrams will show you how it works


the_big_1 - 16/10/20 at 07:44 PM

Lol I used a free website to upload pics, same issue lol
So I guess the over flow from the rail goes to the top of an expansion tank, is there any other connections?


CosKev3 - 16/10/20 at 08:03 PM

Yeah can go through the top of expansion tank,but the pipe needs to ho down low enough into the expansion tank so its below the level of the coolant


the_big_1 - 16/10/20 at 08:06 PM

Hi ya,

Is there a second pipe or is it enough coolant so it can be added to at overflow and sucked back if needed? Alot of confusion between words of expansion tank or headertank etc lol


the_big_1 - 17/10/20 at 10:09 AM

Hi guys,

Is there a simple layout of how to pipe up using the expansion tank method? Does the expansion tank have to be the highest point or anything??


40inches - 17/10/20 at 10:59 AM

There is a diagram here HERE
Not the first one, look at the 16th post.
Mine is sat on a bracket on the bottom chassis rail, so it can be anywhere below the top of the rad. I used a 1litre bike ally water bottle
and a short length of 8mm copper pipe for the dip tube.
eBay Item

[Edited on 17-10-20 by 40inches]


the_big_1 - 17/10/20 at 11:06 AM

Hi ya,

Sounds like a good solution. If I can fit the tank at any height below the top hight of rad, cylinder head and filler cap, gives me loads of options. So If I find a tank with a drain at the bottom and a top exit to vent to atmosphere, I just need to get a tube in the top down to the bottom inside the tank? What size tank is a good size?


40inches - 17/10/20 at 11:16 AM

quote:
Originally posted by the_big_1
Hi ya,

Sounds like a good solution. If I can fit the tank at any height below the top hight of rad, cylinder head and filler cap, gives me loads of options. So If I find a tank with a drain at the bottom and a top exit to vent to atmosphere, I just need to get a tube in the top down to the bottom inside the tank? What size tank is a good size?


The ebay link is a good size. A drain isn't necessary as you can lift it out to clean it,I used a bike frame cage to hold it. Just a 3mm hole in the cap for a vent.
You can see mine in this photo, it is behind the rack UJ.
Description
Description


the_big_1 - 17/10/20 at 11:22 AM

Missed the link lol
Hard to see it in your pic, which part is it in the pic?
Did you put any coolant in there to start with ? I guess the idea is if the overflow next to cap operates, it letc fluid in the tank or can pull fluid back up when coong etc?


40inches - 17/10/20 at 11:33 AM

Look at the rack UJ, it is just to the right, a black bottle behind the vertical hose.
I put about 100ml of coolant in it (1litre bottle), it collects coolant from the pressure cap and is sucked back as it cools down.
After a run the bottle is hot, so it works fine low down.


the_big_1 - 17/10/20 at 11:39 AM

Hi ya,

Yep I see it, sounds a perfect solution. I can get a nice looking aluminum tank and fit it on top of the chassis just inside the nose cone. Will do another layout on Monday to confirm.

Many thanks, top man you have helped a million!


the_big_1 - 19/10/20 at 07:11 AM

Hi Guys,

Here's the latest idea.
Looking correct? only question is, is the radiator bleed teed in to the overflow correct?


40inches - 20/10/20 at 09:50 AM

You have the rad bleed venting to atmosphere
I would blank it off, the top hose is higher. Only the stat bleed should go to the expansion tank.


the_big_1 - 20/10/20 at 02:00 PM

Hi ya,

Like this?

The only bleed is off the fill point overflow connection.


the_big_1 - 21/10/20 at 02:32 PM

Hi Guys,

Does it look correct? Trying to get Neil to do me a new water rail lol


40inches - 22/10/20 at 08:37 AM

Looks ok to me.


the_big_1 - 22/10/20 at 12:47 PM

Cheers!

A long road but looks like a nice simple layout now. Thanks million!!!