hello everyone. i have an aluminum coolant expansion tank to replace the stock one since it was leaking an cracking. ive got a few questions.

1. i noticed the aluminum tank takes a much longer time to cool down. is that going to cause any problems?

2. do i need to replace the plastic cap, or is it suggested?

3. does anyone know where i can get a higher pressure metal cap? because after running the car pretty hard the other day, i open the hood to find coolant all over the place under the tank which was quite a b*tch to clean, especially since i just detailed under the hood for the beginning of show season.

 

Are you running a forge coolant tank , possible?

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/FMMINHT/ES1832534/

Replacing the cap is easy and can determine if you have a bad one.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/17107515499/ES37545/

Thanks

 

its not the forge brand, but its an identical tank. just doesnt have the forge name stamped in it. i guess thats a good idea to try a new plastic one, but im really looking for a metal cap that can hold higher pressure, and im really surprised i havent been able to find one anywhere.

 

I have the Forge tank and I have the stock plastic cap on it. I have been running this for 2 years with zero issues. I have not found a metal cap either and I just never bothered to worry about it. The stock one does the job. IF you blew coolant out, you had to much in. It should be about 40% full any more and it will puke it out. At least on the Forge one anyway.

 

My cap failed awhile back, just replace with a stock one. I'm running the Forge since 2004.

Nik

 

And DO NOT just get a higher PSI cap....the cap is venting for a reason...keeping the preasure bottled up WILL result in a failure elsewhere...like maybe a headgasket.
If you are having the tank vent, bet it is overfilled.....

 

alright. thanks guys. i appreciate it !

 

I got sick and tired of the stock tank puking and cured it by purchasing a Canton AL unit. Canton recommends a 30# Stant cap. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong but the MINI runs at 22# pressure anyway. As ZippyNH says, the trick is to not overfill. I keep it only 1 inch deep in the reservoir. No more mess!

 

The stock cap is 15PSI.

 

Probably is...That's why it spews coolant all over the place. Since I installed the Canton bottle, Stant cap and Mishimoto radiator, I haven't lost a drop. To check, I use a wooden dowel rod with the proper 1 inch level marked in indelible ink.

 

Problem is the stock caps are not really horridly reliable.
I have been told some have failed when tested brand new.
NC has the right idea, put a real radiator Cap on it.
I know Canton has one but i tried to order one and the service was slow.
RMW also makes one thats a large capacity.

 

@collin, will a canton cap work with a non canton reservoir? ive seen the tanks jan makes, and theyre nice, but ive already paid $140 for the tank i have just a month ago.

 

Canton does not supply the caps with their tanks. You can order one from them (or any of their suppliers) but you'll get a STANT "Racing Division" 28-32 lb. radiator cap. It's not screw-on style like the FORGE but the good-old standard type. MINI type is a threaded, screw-on version and will not work with the Canton unit.

 

Its Colin but ^ what he said.
the problem with the mini tank or the forge is that they will not accept a standard radiator cap that we all know works.

 

Sorry to dig up an old thread. I picked up the Canton tank, but did not buy the 30# cap.. Any real problems using a 20# cap? Got one of those... :/

 

Since you have it, try it, just carry some coolant with you, just in case.

Experimenting with a lighter pressure is no problem except you may found out it's too light, it's going heavier than recommended where you "could" run into serious issues.