Silver71
10+ Year Contributor
- 79
- 1
- Aug 20, 2012
-
Sartell,
Minnesota
So I was a little shocked when looking at my engine bay today... I noticed this little reservoir with a cap that had a hose coming in and a hose coming out of this cap. First of all, the cap was off the tank (fff?). Second, one of the hoses was simply hanging there not attached to anything (double fff!??)
Deep breaths...come to DSMForums to figure things out.
I found out that it is the coolant/antifreeze overflow reservoir. I also found out that it exists because of the fluctuation in the coolant level due to expansion and compression due to temperature differences. I also found out that it is not totally uncommon for the cap to be off due to the system overflowing. However, I have a few questions:
Maybe someone forgot to put the cap back on after a checkup and there's nothing to worry about. However, if the reservoir did in fact overflow and blow the cap off, why would this happen, and what should I take a look at in order to rectify the problem?
Next, If the hose dangling there is for draining excess coolant, why would the cap ever blow off at all?
Also, a general coolant question. For my 95 GSX, what coolant specifically am I to use in the system? What color should it be normally, and what color is it when worn?
Finally, how much coolant should be in the reservoir itself when the engine is cool? I don't see marks to indicate proper levels.
Oh, this will sound really stupid, but where the heck is my radiator cap? I don't see it on the radiator..........
Deep breaths...come to DSMForums to figure things out.
I found out that it is the coolant/antifreeze overflow reservoir. I also found out that it exists because of the fluctuation in the coolant level due to expansion and compression due to temperature differences. I also found out that it is not totally uncommon for the cap to be off due to the system overflowing. However, I have a few questions:
Maybe someone forgot to put the cap back on after a checkup and there's nothing to worry about. However, if the reservoir did in fact overflow and blow the cap off, why would this happen, and what should I take a look at in order to rectify the problem?
Next, If the hose dangling there is for draining excess coolant, why would the cap ever blow off at all?
Also, a general coolant question. For my 95 GSX, what coolant specifically am I to use in the system? What color should it be normally, and what color is it when worn?
Finally, how much coolant should be in the reservoir itself when the engine is cool? I don't see marks to indicate proper levels.
Oh, this will sound really stupid, but where the heck is my radiator cap? I don't see it on the radiator..........