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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 15 Oct 2020 09:57am
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Hey,
I feel like there are many people here who have experience with fixing cars while I do not.
I have a 2001 Chevy cargo van for work. My coolant expansion tank is leaking. has a crack somewhere under it. New tank is like $85. It is very easy to remove... I am debating, since I do not need to move it for a while, if I should try to first clean it up and seal that crack with some powerful epoxy or am I going to waste my time and should bite the bullet?
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skootamattaschmidty
Member
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# Posted: 15 Oct 2020 10:15am
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Have you considered getting one from an auto recycler...probably quite a bit cheaper than new.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 15 Oct 2020 10:47am
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Are you sure it's not a hose at the bottom of the tank? And no sealing the crack wouldnt work because that tank should have about 14psi.
Also look for a cheaper place to buy it. Theres prob millions of those Van's running around. Someone makes an aftermarket one.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 15 Oct 2020 10:57am - Edited by: paulz
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They sell a kit specifically for expansion tank repair.
http://www.bowessealfast.com/p-601-permatex-09100-plastic-tank-repair-kit.aspx?gclid= CjwKCAjw5p_8BRBUEiwAPpJO6554QyYuNxaI3OPHvcu1-Zl8MPNZ5_dUcwXGF2ZUt2qOP_Qmw56rrBoC4KAQA vD_BwE
Among others
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 15 Oct 2020 12:08pm
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Thanks everyone.
I did went to see a used one for $15 but it was very dirty and hard to tell if it is in good shape
It isn't leaking from hose since I can visually inspect the hose. When you put your hand under the tank and touch the bottom - it is wet so must be some hairline crack in the plastic. When I remove it I hope to find it...
Paulz thank you for the link.
Btw my mechanic said there is no pressure in the tank - it is an expansion tank. He says I can drive with the cap open and nothing will happen beside it spill from movement. which is why a repaid seems possible.
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NorthRick
Member
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# Posted: 15 Oct 2020 01:25pm
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If it is polyethylene you might be able to seal a crack using a soldering iron. That type of plastic melts under heat and hardens when it cools. Put a flat tip on the iron and slowly move it along the crack.
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rpe
Member
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# Posted: 15 Oct 2020 09:21pm
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That overflow tank should not be pressurized, so it just needs to be water-tite. If you pull the tank, clean it well, and bench-test it, you should be able to find the leak. If it's caused by aging, cracked plastic, then a repair might not be worth pursuing. I agree with the auto-wrecker option for a used replacement. That's a pretty common vehicle, so I'd think you shouldn't have much issue finding one. The 'U-pull' places are usually cheaper than the 'full serve' wreckers, and you get the opportunity to walk the yard which I always enjoy for some strange reason.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2020 06:10am
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Some tanks are pressurized. The one on my 02 yukon with 6L is. So is the one in our 05 tahoe with 5.3l.
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Popeye
Member
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# Posted: 16 Oct 2020 01:00pm
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Sounds a perfect spot for flex tape!
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 17 Oct 2020 09:10pm
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Dude, for $85, get it fixed right. How much will it cost if it fails in a spot you least expect or need it to fail?
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rpe
Member
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# Posted: 18 Oct 2020 09:39am
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Yep, Brettny was right, looks like that vehicle has a pressurized tank. This is not the place to save $50 buying a used part. Fix it right, and forget about it!
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 18 Oct 2020 01:43pm
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So is there no pressured cap at the radiator? Both of my pre-2000 Chevys non-pressurized plastic tanks are toast. They just run about an inch low in the radiator to make room for expansion, like in the olden days. 
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2020 07:22am
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The rad cap is the tank cap. There is actualy no cap on the radiator.
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optimistic
Member
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# Posted: 19 Oct 2020 01:19pm
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Thanks for advice... Mine has two caps: one on the expansion tank - a plastic piece of nothing that doesn't even close good which made me think it was escaping from there - but it isn't escaping from there. And a second one on the radiator made of steel that I never touch. therefore, mine isn't pressurized just like my mechanic said. If it was I would have lost all of it in 5 min since that expansion cap is rubbish.
I have a bit of time on my hands to covid so I am thinking to attempt a fix since it isn't pressurized. If it was I would have bought a new one at $85.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 27 Oct 2020 12:59pm
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You say it is easy to get to so give the fix a go, what is the worst that can happen.
My question is why did it fail?
Cracked from freezing? It should have anti-freeze/water mix in the whole cooling system. If not, that needs to be addressed. Btw, that dried anti-freeze mix on the leak may affect how a repair sticks to it; research that online and clean the surface well.
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Santpa
Member
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2021 09:12am
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Usually where the hose attaches to the reservoir,there is a piece of metal pressed into the plastic of the reservoir.I have seen the reservoirs crack there.The metal tube then walks slightly out of the reservoir.
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rxb
Member
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# Posted: 20 Feb 2021 09:33am
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while this is REALLY old, this info may help someone else
i have a 2014 jetta wagon, diesel, with a plastic expansion tank which got a crack in it.
was on the road so i stopped at advanced and got
"permanent gorilla tape all weather" and acetone.... cleaned the tank with the acetone really well and applied the tape to the crack.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GRJ8L55/
[url=https://www.gorillatough.com/product/gorilla-
those are links to the tape specs and one possible place to purchase
my raplacement tank was only 15 bux... but i havent installed it because the tape is holding very well...and its cold out... its been a month now and isnt leaking.
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NorthRick
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2021 05:22pm
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Quoting: Levchenkovn1977 In order not to buy a full body of disappointment
Ha! Spammers crack me up sometimes.
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