Coolant recovery tank set-up (??)

[manitou]

When I got my '83 CJ5 last summer, and drove it for the first time, I noticed a strong scent of coolant after she warmed up. When I popped the hood, there was a hose connected to the radiator filler neck at one end, and leaking/draining coolant on to the ground from the other end. No overflow tank. So...I went online, and ordered a 'stock' coolant overflow tank, and installed it in the stock position. While the tank has embossed markings for "Full-hot" and "Full-cold"...I can't, for the life of me, figure out why. There is a connection on the tank for the overflow tube to dispense hot coolant--but no return hose connection. Even if it had a return--there doesn't appear to be a connection on the radiator. Just curious if there's a way to 'rig' this so it does what it's supposed to do? Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[jdcaples]

When coolant heats, it expands. When it cools, it contracts.

Heated coolant expands out the radiator into the tank.

In theory, the warm coolant will push the level in the overflow tank up to the "hot" line and as the fluid cools, it'll get sucked back into the radiator.

in a perfect world, all you do is add coolant to the overflow tank to the "cold" line and you won't have to open the radiator to check the level.



-Jon

 

[Hedgehog]

Just to make sure. You have attached your dripping coolant line to the tank, somewhere near the bottom of the tank. I have had tanks with a couple molded in nipples, you needed to cut open the proper one for your application. Generally there should be only one line, sometimes two. The bottom for the fluid, the top for over flow. Water can flow two ways in when hot, out when cold, you only need one hose. My 360 moves a lot of water between hot and cold conditions. So, don't go without the tank.