MartinL2 Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Please can anyone advise why coolant keeps on blowing out of the expansion tank filler cap. Could the cap be faulty and would anyone know the part number for this cap and the best place to source one from? Thank you Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted July 19, 2022 Member Share Posted July 19, 2022 It could be. Does it look as if should have an O ring and does it have one?I'd start with Redline.Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinL2 Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 Hi Jonathan, thankyou for your response, I don't think it has an o ring, are these caps set to vent at a specific pressure and if so can they start to stick causing the coolant system to over pressurise, causing water to flash to steam and leak out through the cap..Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Could you post a picture of the expansion vessel? Caterham have fitted a few types over the years, some of competing manufacturers to the engine installed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted July 19, 2022 Member Share Posted July 19, 2022 Good idea.I've just had a look at some Vauxhall Assembly Guides and couldn't find any answers.JonathanPS: Please let me know if you'd like a copy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinL2 Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 Hi Jonathan, if you could send me some info, that would be very much appreciated...Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 Thats a rover expansion tank. Coolant looks a bit rusty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted July 19, 2022 Member Share Posted July 19, 2022 "Thats a rover expansion tank. "EAP8713?Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinL2 Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 Is there only one cap type to suit this expansion tank, or are there different caps set at different vent pressures according to actual engine type. To be honest I drained the coolant system, flushed it through, refilled with almost neat red anti freeze and then it seemed to blow out of the expansion tank. Bit by bit with keep refilling, the coolant is probably just water now, and maybe the reason for the rusty coloured coolant..Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 That looks like the tank Jonathan - rather expensive and shows the 'stilts' removed for the caterham install. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted July 19, 2022 Share Posted July 19, 2022 So, was it OK before the new coolant was put in?Some seven engine types are notorious for air locks and blowing out their coolant, requiring a certain fill procedure. Not sure whether the VX is afflicted - I know from experience the rover k series air locks and will force coolant out of a sound cap.Can any VX aficionados comment? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinL2 Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 I am pretty sure I have only had this problem since replacing the coolant. The caterham is fitted with a heater and I have disconnected a heater pipe to vent it from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinL2 Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 Obviously also vented it from the top of the radiator as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinL2 Posted July 19, 2022 Author Share Posted July 19, 2022 Obviously also vented it from the top of the radiator as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 It sounds like an airlock preventing coolant from circulating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECR Posted July 20, 2022 Share Posted July 20, 2022 Airlock looks probable but for peace of mind i'd replace the cap (theyre not expensive)O/E Rover part number: PCD100160Halfords HRC6060.8 to 1.2bar opening pressure.I have the 2ltr engine which always sprayed coolant when used hard on track. Fitting a swirlpot into the system cured that..No sign that I can seeof oil in the coolant so a head gasket problem looks unlikely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Geoff Brown Posted July 20, 2022 Area Representative Share Posted July 20, 2022 I don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings but when a K Series (I know it is not that engine) continually blows out vast amounts of coolant from the header tank even after the pressure cap has been changed & the system thoroughly bled then the head gasket has failed...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinL2 Posted July 20, 2022 Author Share Posted July 20, 2022 Thank you for all your responses, I have purchased a new cap today, going to try flushing and refilling and fit new cap and see how it goes. Can anyone advise the best way to refill avoiding any airlocks? The car is fitted with a heater. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted July 20, 2022 Member Share Posted July 20, 2022 There's been much less posted here about bleeding Vauxhalls than Ks. One thread from 2015.Usual principles... Air comes out of the highest points and there may be more than one. Heater circuit open. Thermostat has to be hot enough to open. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinL2 Posted July 21, 2022 Author Share Posted July 21, 2022 Thank you for all your responses, engine flushed, replacement expansion tank cap fitted, refilled, and all air pockets vented, no water blowing out the top on test drive. Just need to get a bit of antifreeze in their now. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted July 24, 2022 Share Posted July 24, 2022 This sounds familiar, tried all sorts on my K, replaced what appeared to be a perfectly good (20 years old) cap and the problem stopped immediately. Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinL2 Posted July 24, 2022 Author Share Posted July 24, 2022 Hi Anthony, funny you should say that, my cap looked perfectly OK but was also 22 years old. When I refilled there was alot of air to get out, I now need to get some anti freeze in there but the only way I seemed to get the air out was by blowing the hose pipe down the heater pipe so not sure how I'm going to get the air out when I have added the antifreeze..Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonym Posted August 3, 2022 Share Posted August 3, 2022 ah, You could try my amateur unpatented not sure it works but is fun method but there's loads on here about how to get the air out, not least filling from the highest point of the system and/or using an air bleed thing fitted near the heater. Anthony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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