expansion tank question

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  • lolcantturn
    R3V Elite
    • Oct 2010
    • 4588

    #1

    expansion tank question

    Ok so I switched from an M42 rad to a regular rad on my 24V car. My bay was orientated for an M42 rad since not only is it a 318is but I shaved off every bracket in the bay. I put my expansion tank where the windshield washer resevior would be but it could be placed a little bit cleaner. So I'm thinking I can place it "under" the bay, where the AC evap thing used to be, under the windshield washer resevior. I have enough room, but I'm worried about losing self-bleeding feature of the expansion tank because it would basically be the lowest point in the cooling system. Would this affect anything at all ?
    Originally posted by TSI
    ♫ Rust flecks are falling on my head...♫
    OEM+
  • scottinAZ
    E30 Fanatic
    • Dec 2009
    • 1312

    #2
    if the cap is at the lowest point in the system, you will not be able to fill it effectively. you need the cap to be at the highest point in the system
    I saved 15% on my Bimmer parts by switching to ...



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    • ohthejosh
      R3V Elite
      • Mar 2010
      • 4963

      #3
      Use a beer bong to fill it :)
      SO MUCH MORE TO DO!!
      IG: ohthejosh

      LEGIT CHECK ME BRUH
      BUYER FEEDBACK THREAD

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      • lolcantturn
        R3V Elite
        • Oct 2010
        • 4588

        #4
        Originally posted by scottinAZ
        if the cap is at the lowest point in the system, you will not be able to fill it effectively. you need the cap to be at the highest point in the system
        When I filled it I made sure to keep the tank as the highest point, I undid it from the custom bracket I made on its current location now and held it high so my system is fully filled and bled, but I'm just curious that if I put it as the lowest point if it'll still work efficently, even though my system is fully filled.
        Originally posted by TSI
        ♫ Rust flecks are falling on my head...♫
        OEM+

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        • scottinAZ
          E30 Fanatic
          • Dec 2009
          • 1312

          #5
          Originally posted by lolcantturn
          When I filled it I made sure to keep the tank as the highest point, I undid it from the custom bracket I made on its current location now and held it high so my system is fully filled and bled, but I'm just curious that if I put it as the lowest point if it'll still work efficently, even though my system is fully filled.
          not sure that the expansion tank will fill its role in an alternate, lower location. Part of its task is to maintain proper fill level and have an air gap at the top. I would think that this task would not be able to be done if the tank is lower than another part in the system. Air is likely to be drawn into the motor and settle at the highest point (probably the head).

          Only way to truly know though is to try it and see if it works or not. keep a close eye on it and dont allow it to over heat
          I saved 15% on my Bimmer parts by switching to ...



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          • cabriodster87
            E30 Enthusiast
            • Jan 2011
            • 1042

            #6
            Air will go to the highest point. Seen this once before, it will bite back sooner or later.
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            • lolcantturn
              R3V Elite
              • Oct 2010
              • 4588

              #7
              Originally posted by scottinAZ
              not sure that the expansion tank will fill its role in an alternate, lower location. Part of its task is to maintain proper fill level and have an air gap at the top. I would think that this task would not be able to be done if the tank is lower than another part in the system. Air is likely to be drawn into the motor and settle at the highest point (probably the head).

              Only way to truly know though is to try it and see if it works or not. keep a close eye on it and dont allow it to over heat
              Ah okay, I see what you're saying. Ill try it and find out.

              Originally posted by cabriodster87
              Air will go to the highest point. Seen this once before, it will bite back sooner or later.
              But if I already bled out the system properly by temporarily putting it as the highest point, then put it at the location I want it, then air bubbles shouldn't be an issue anymore? Unless I have a blown HG I guess
              Originally posted by TSI
              ♫ Rust flecks are falling on my head...♫
              OEM+

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              • scottinAZ
                E30 Fanatic
                • Dec 2009
                • 1312

                #8
                Originally posted by lolcantturn


                But if I already bled out the system properly by temporarily putting it as the highest point, then put it at the location I want it, then air bubbles shouldn't be an issue anymore? Unless I have a blown HG I guess
                problem is, as the coolant expands, it will push some out of the bottle if its completely full. Non BMW's use a separate expansion tank that can be nearly anywhere in the engine bay and have no issues because the expansion tank is on the outside of the pressurized system. BMW on the other hand uses the air gap inside the pressurized system, therefore the air (needed expansion space) will rise to the highest point of the system

                What you may be able to do is add another expansion tank OUTSIDE of the pressurized system (a bottle attached to the overflow pipe on the tank would do this) and as long as when the coolant contracts, it has COOLANT come back inside instead of air, all should be hunky dory. look at the design of an older american car for what you need. coolant system inside the pressure cap full of coolant at all times, with an overflow bottle ready to top it off when the coolant cools and contracts (whole expansion and contraction thing) it gets coolant instead of air.
                I saved 15% on my Bimmer parts by switching to ...



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                • ohthejosh
                  R3V Elite
                  • Mar 2010
                  • 4963

                  #9
                  Originally posted by scottinAZ
                  What you may be able to do is add another expansion tank OUTSIDE of the pressurized system (a bottle attached to the overflow pipe on the tank would do this) and as long as when the coolant contracts, it has COOLANT come back inside instead of air, all should be hunky dory.
                  This bottle would need to be above the expansion tank no? To have gravity assure that coolant returns?
                  SO MUCH MORE TO DO!!
                  IG: ohthejosh

                  LEGIT CHECK ME BRUH
                  BUYER FEEDBACK THREAD

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                  • scottinAZ
                    E30 Fanatic
                    • Dec 2009
                    • 1312

                    #10
                    Originally posted by ohthejosh
                    This bottle would need to be above the expansion tank no? To have gravity assure that coolant returns?
                    no, as long as the tube that returns the coolant is below the level of the coolant, suction (from the contracting coolant) will take it into the system.
                    I saved 15% on my Bimmer parts by switching to ...



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                    • thepoloplaya
                      Member
                      • Jun 2009
                      • 81

                      #11
                      Out of curiosity, what was the reason for changing from the m42 radiator?

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