How To Repair A Plastic Coolant Recovery Bottle

The coolant organization in your vehicle is an integral function of your engine. Information technology'due south a pressurized system that pushes coolant through your radiator as yous drive in gild to prevent your engine from overheating. When yous stop driving and the engine cools, antifreeze, likewise known every bit coolant, will remain in your coolant reservoir.

coolant reservoir tank leak

Only, a cleft in your coolant reservoir can cause a boring leak which could cause your vehicle to overheat the side by side fourth dimension yous drive. The good news is that this problem is not difficult to diagnose and y'all should be able to complete the repair yourself if you're handy with tools.

If you've noticed a coolant reservoir leak in your vehicle, have no fear. We're here discussing exactly how you lot tin can ready a coolant reservoir tank leak in one afternoon. Keep reading to larn more.

How to Repair a Coolant Reservoir Tank Leak

Skip to the good stuff:

How to Repair a Coolant Reservoir Tank Leak
- one. Detect the Leak
- 2. Remove Antifreeze from Coolant Reservoir
- 3. Mark the Leak
- four. Remove Radiator Cap
- 5. Disconnect Overflow Tube and Other Fittings
- 6. Empty the Reservoir Tank Completely
- 7. Launder Reservoir Tank
- eight. Apply Epoxy
- ix. Replace Reservoir Tank
- ten. Refill Coolant
- 11. Radiator Pressure level Test
Final Thoughts

Fixing the coolant reservoir tank on your vehicle may be easier than removing dirt and grime from the interior of your vehicle. Information technology's a quick and simple gear up that volition salvage you money in costly repairs, like a bad h2o pump.

Before you start your repairs, contact your local machine parts store to find plastic epoxy. This is what you volition utilize to repair whatever cracks in your reservoir tank.

1. Detect the Leak

The first pace in repairing your coolant reservoir tank leak is to make certain this is where your problem is actually coming from. Leaking antifreeze could also come from worn hoses or the caput gasket itself.

Yous tin can detect where your leak is coming from by placing a large slice of cardboard beneath your vehicle's engine overnight. The location of the leak will be indicated on the cardboard in the morning. Check your vehicle's manual to ensure the location of the reservoir tank in order to determine where the leak is coming from.

2. Remove Antifreeze from Coolant Reservoir

Once you have detected the leak is coming from your coolant reservoir, you can first by removing the antifreeze from the coolant reservoir with a siphon. It'south important to note that yous should never work on your coolant system while the engine is all the same warm. Brand sure that your vehicle has been turned off and immune to cool before you begin performing this pace.

Remove as much coolant from the reservoir as possible with the siphon, you can dump the remainder out in one case you remove the reservoir tank completely.

You lot can visually check for oil in the coolant reservoir during this indicate as well.

3. Mark the Leak

Side by side, you'll want to determine exactly where the leak is coming from on the reservoir tank. Information technology's a good idea to marker the area with a black marker so that you can find it easily in after steps. You may also be able to find the location of the leak while y'all're draining the coolant in footstep 2.

4. Remove Radiator Cap

Remember that your coolant arrangement is pressurized. For this reason, you lot'll need to remove the radiator cap as you lot perform this repair.

Don't forget to make sure your engine is completely cooled earlier removing this or you could damage your engine, non to mention hurt yourself. The pressure from the radiator can cause the antifreeze to burst out of the radiator if your engine is notwithstanding warm.

5. Disconnect Overflow Tube and Other Fittings

Now you're ready to remove the reservoir tank from the engine bay.

Using a pair of pliers, you lot'll need to move the clamp along the overflow tube and so twist the tube to remove it from the reservoir tank.

There may be other fittings holding the tank in identify so you may need to consult your owner's transmission in order to find each and every one. Once you have removed all of the fittings and the overflow tube, you can remove the reservoir tank.

six. Empty the Reservoir Tank Completely

Next, you can dump the remaining coolant from the reservoir tank into your holding container where you siphoned out the rest. It's recommended to use a holding container that is disposable such as an old milk jug or clean saucepan that you lot can throw abroad when you're done.

7. Launder Reservoir Tank

The last step before yous can actually brainstorm your repair is to clean the reservoir tank out completely. Yous tin can do this using a water hose to wash the tank inside and out. Permit it to dry completely. Y'all may need to await an hr or then before you can begin.

eight. Apply Epoxy

Finally, y'all tin mix the epoxy and apply it to your reservoir tank at the location of the leak using an applicator. Make sure to press the epoxy into the crack to completely make full it. Allow the epoxy to prepare or cure according to the instructions on the package.

9. Replace Reservoir Tank

Once the epoxy has dried, you lot can supplant the tank back into your engine bay. Be sure to replace all of the fittings that you removed when you were taking the coolant reservoir out.

10. Refill Coolant

Use a funnel to supervene upon the coolant from your property container. You may need to add together boosted coolant in order to fill up the tank to the desired level which should be indicated with a line on your coolant reservoir tank.

11. Radiator Pressure level Examination

One time you've replaced your reservoir tank, you'll need to reset your coolant system with a radiator pressure level tester. You can pick one up at your local machine parts shop for about $50.

Final Thoughts

Information technology's important to repair a coolant reservoir tank leak as shortly as you observe the leak in order to preclude damage to your engine. If your vehicle is leaking coolant, it will not run optimally once the reservoir gets too low. If your engine overheats, it can cause significant problems such equally a diddled head gasket which can toll upward of $1400 to replace.

Save yourself some time and money in the long run and follow these tips for a simple and successful set to your problem. All you demand is a little patience if yous don't mind getting your easily dingy.

When it comes to car repairs, we've got you covered. Check out our blog to find more tips and tricks that will go along you on the road and riding in manner.