Relocating Coolant Overflow [Merged 11-6]

[Defiant]

You don't really want to run without an overflow tank, it keeps the air out of the cooling system.
How about hooking your pump, etc. to the feedline for the washer nozzles? Your regular ws pump would feed your intercooler pump, and with the restriction needed to get a spray out compared to the holes in the ws washer, you should be okay.

 

[stevetrbp]

I had have a jazz overflow tank and its been on the car now for almost a year. My prob is that the thing will basicly piss out a stream of coolant once in a while. Why does it do this? The car is not overheating it just spits out coolant once in a while?

 

[candela]

thats what overflow tanks do dude...

 

[stevetrbp]

No man, its not sucking coolant back in! Once the tank fills with coolant it will spit it out rather than sucking it back in the car. I know what it should be doing and its not doing it. When the car overheats the coolant will be( mist like)when comming out the overflow. Its actually looks like its taking a piss for a second or two? I will fill the car back up with coolant agian and it will piss it out 10 min later? ( car is not overheating)

 

[Defiant]

Sounds like you need a new radiator cap.

 

[92GSXman]

I just installed my FMIC and I had to remove my overflow bottle to run my pipe through. Can I just cap the line off or do I really need it?

 

[90GSX]

It is necessary and required by most of the motorsports sanctioning bodies. Either relocate your factory bottle, or purchase a smaller aftermarket catch can from summit/jegs or your local performance shop.

Good luck,

 

[Defiant]

Coolant overflow? Yes, you need it. Modern cooling systems aren't set up to deal with the air you'll suck in (when the engine's turned off and the water shrinks back to its "cool" volume). However, it is okay to relocate it, so long as you have no leaks and the engine can only draw coolant back in (no air), you'll be fine. The shape doesn't matter much, either.

 

[92GSXman]

Thanks guys, I picked up a little universal bottle from NAPA today and I have to find somewhere to mount it now. So you're saying that the overflow tank is also there to relieve pressure, right?

 

[laserblue]

Not exactly "to relieve pressure". The coolant cap has a pressure valve that's designed to open if coolant pressure grows high [like when it gets hot- water expands]. So coolant will squirt into the reservoir. Later when the engine cools, that valve lets the coolant be sucked back in [to keep the engine full of coolant, not air]. Ever since the '60s, cars have used this system. Before that, radiators/engines were designed to have a little air in the top of the radiator so it didn't matter if some coolant pissed out... but it was not as efficient as now-a-days "cross flow" radiators. Since today's engines run hotter [and need max cooling] it's important to get the most cooling power, and that means keeping the radiator and engine full.
WELL I OVER-EXPLAINED THAT TO DEATH, DIDN'T I? ..Sorry!!!

 

[92GSXman]

So if I capped my overflow tank off and my cooling system was full of fluid, where would the coolant/water go when it expanded? Would it bust a hose or something? Not that I'm planning to do this, I'm just trying to understand how this works.

 

[laserblue]

Here's more boring theory... Ready?
High school science: Gases, such as air, can be compressed. Liquids can not be compressed. If a system is completely filled with liquid and then heated, the liquid will expand and build up pressure. If there is no way for it to escape safely, it will find the easiest way out... like busting a hose or even worse - blowing a gasket. NOT GOOD!!! And if the coolant boils [overheated engine] tremendous pressure builds up. VERY NOT GOOD. Like I wrote before, older cars had some air in the top of the radiator that could compress AND a coolant cap with a excessive pressure relief valve that would piss coolant onto the roadway if pressure grew more than about 15 psi. Newer cars use the reservoir recovery system so that no coolant is lost. It just gets sucked back in. This system is necessary when there is no air [to compress] in the cooling system.
Whether you have a reservoir jug or not, do NOT block off the overflow hose.
Did I answer the question?

 

[Defiant]

Originally posted by 92GSXman
So if I capped my overflow tank off and my cooling system was full of fluid, where would the coolant/water go when it expanded? Would it bust a hose or something? Not that I'm planning to do this, I'm just trying to understand how this works.

You'd probably blow a hose off, especially if you're still using those pathetic spring clamps the manufacturers are so fond of (because they install fast on the production line). If a connector didn't let go, you'd likely inflate a hose, probably to bursting.

Good on you for having the good sense to not ask us where you should stick that overflow bottle

 

[92GSXman]

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the help that you have given me. I do have a better understanding of the whole coolant system now. Oh yeah, I wouldn't dare ask where I could stick my overflow bottle. I think that one would be too easy.

 

[Ludachris]

I'd like to know what options are out there as for 1G FMIC coolant overlow relocation bottles... I don't want to go with a coke bottle, or anything like that, but I'd like to know what others have done to replace the 1G overflow bottle. I don't have much room with the ABS unit. I've seen someone use the GReddy oil catch can. For those who have used something other than the factory bottle, did you drill a hole to use the sensor? How necessary is the sensor?

 

[CYCLONE]

I used my original one, mounted it where the stock intercooler
goes. Made a bracket for the bottle and mounted it using one
of the intercooler bolts. Now the cap sticks out of the hole
where the stock pipes went into the intercooler. As far as the
sensor goes I just extended the wire about 5 inches so it would
reach the plug.

 

[Defiant]

The sensor's primarily a convenience light, particularly for someone who's as aware of their engine as you are. Anything you can get to fit will be fine, and the level isn't especially crucial, either- it all works on expansion and contraction of the coolant's molecules. Other than the spillage, a bucket would work fine. So you're free-formula, put in whatever fits and looks good: you need about three pints of capacity. Attaching the sensor would be easy as well, but it's not necessary.

 

[Ludachris]

Originally posted by CYCLONE
I used my original one, mounted it where the stock intercooler
goes. Made a bracket for the bottle and mounted it using one
of the intercooler bolts. Now the cap sticks out of the hole
where the stock pipes went into the intercooler. As far as the
sensor goes I just extended the wire about 5 inches so it would
reach the plug.

I was so close to doing that too - exactly the way you explained. I just ended up putting it down behind the radiator fan, close to where it was, and using a zip tie to secure it to the BOV hose. Works fine for now.

 

[g0tEclipseD]

Heres an interesting solution ive seen:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Its a 20oz gatorate bottle. Uses the same cap and all.

Quote from Arctic-Racing.com:

UPDATES: The stock overfill bottle was large and occupied alot of valuable space. The gatorade bottle is a Japanese drifter mod. Usually it is a Milk-Tea or Calpis bottle. The big mouth opening of the gatorade bottle has the exact diameter of the stock bottle. So you can just snap the stock cap on. You'll need to trim the hose that goes into the bottle. And now you can just remove the sensor also. It will not turn on any lights inside. Plus now you can see that pretty green coolant thru the clear bottle. This also allowed me to run a 2" aluminum hose from the front of the bumper right to the air filter. A little bit of ram air action.

 

[me612]

i've contacted a new shop that is located in Minnesota. They are making me a custom oil catch can/ coolant bottle in one. it will look like just one container, but of course inside it will be divided into 2 seperate area's (does that make sense?) it will be polished, i plan on mounting it in a similar way that GRNDSM mounted his. I haven't gotten a price quote yet, but if you are interested i could let u know how to contact them. If you want a pre-made coolant resevoir, u can usually find some nice polished ones on ebay if you search for "catch cans". you'll come up with both catch cans and groovy polished Coolant containers!!!

 

[90DSMTurboFWD]

For those of you that have relocated your coolant bottle; where did you put it? i am looking for a nice out of the way place to mount it. I want to clean up my engine bay. thanks!

 

[Defiant]

Almost anyplace is okay, so long as you can keep to the same level and the overflow tube can't suck air. Some factory overflow tanks have the nipple molded onto the bottom of the tank. Shape doesn't matter, you want about a quart capacity.

 

[FreStylMotoX01]

ok i was just reading the local dragways rules and one is that a "radiator overflow catch can" is mandatory do our cars have these already or is there a cheap way to make one cause i want to get to the track before it closes and i'm just trying to find out all the requirements thanks for the help!

Jon

 

[leakyfaucet]

Yeah, your car and every car for the last 30 years has one stock.

 

[FreStylMotoX01]

ah thank you very much saved me alot of hassle !