Thread: Overflow tank and coolant level question

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Today I noticed that I had antifreeze leaking from my car and further investigation revealed that the hose from the overflow tank to the radiator had beed pulled off or cut.

1st question....There are two nipples on the bottom of the tank. One had a short piece of tubing on it that tucks under the frame and the other nipple had nothing on it, so I assume this is where the radiator line is suppose to go. Is thiat the correct way, one to the radiator and one hose that goes to nothing?

2nd question....What is the correct level of antifreeze? Do I fill the radiator all the way up to the cap when it od cold? Or do I put some in the overflow tank or both?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by youther

Today I noticed that I had antifreeze leaking from my car and further investigation revealed that the hose from the overflow tank to the radiator had beed pulled off or cut.

1st question....There are two nipples on the bottom of the tank. One had a short piece of tubing on it that tucks under the frame and the other nipple had nothing on it, so I assume this is where the radiator line is suppose to go. Is thiat the correct way, one to the radiator and one hose that goes to nothing?

2nd question....What is the correct level of antifreeze? Do I fill the radiator all the way up to the cap when it od cold? Or do I put some in the overflow tank or both?

Thanks!

One of the two nipples on the bottom of the tank tube takes the hose from the radiator overflow and the other is the actual cooling system overflow. If you pull the cap off of this overflow tank tube, you will find that one nipple inside is longer then the other. This is the one that goes to "ground" and has nothing attached to it. The reason is that you want maximum space for any coolant to expand before dumping.

Fill only the radiator and to about 1/2" to 3/4" from the inside cap flange - nothing in the tank as it is an expansion chamber with anything you put in there to be dumped the first time pressure build up and lifts the cap relief.