Topping up the water...........

[TravellingChick]

So, this is what I have done for the whole time I have had my van - keep the water tank behind the number plate filled to max.

This weekend a friend and fellow T25 owner told me this is an expansion tank and should always be empty and water should be filled from within the engine bay.

The only time I've had an overheating problem, not due to standing in traffic on a long journey, the tank was empty. A quick stop to fill up and all was well again.

Can someone advise which is the correct way?

Thanks!

Sarah

[1664]

I've always topped up the expansion tank if it neded it - I mean what's the point of putting it behind the number plate flap if you're supposed to fill the other one up which would require access to the whole engine bay all the time??

[R0B]

Your friend is wrong.From cold your header tank (one with dalek top) should be full to the brim.The one behind the flap (reserve tank)should be filled to the max mark.Or just below.

[Cruz]

Kick your friend in the shin

[Silky]

Any particular friend TC? Not the one with Ringo's van I hope?

I'm sure the Haynes manual agrees with everyone here,we studied it at the services recently when all lights decided to flash. Our van seems particularly thirsty, I'm not sure if this is fairly normal for an old girl,,,

Silky x

[Ian Hulley]

This weekend a friend and fellow T25 owner told me this is an expansion tank and should always be empty and water should be filled from within the engine bay.

He/she won't be having a) a T25 or b) any money for very long with that idea.

Header tank in the engine bay (which should be full to the brim at all times) should automatically top itself up from the top-up tank behind the catflap which you keep at the Max mark when cold. If you check this when hot the top-up tank may be above Max, this will be drawn back into the header tank as the system cools.

NEVER drive with a red warning light on, red light means stop NOW ... red light and buzzer means I told you so that'll be a grand please !

Ian

[TravellingChick]

LOL, no it wasn't Trip but she did fill her tank up before we left today LOL.

My mate had it on good advice from a good chap in her local VW club so I'll let her know.

Thanks for all the replies - none of us could really mount a technical argument for whether that tank should be full or not so it's good to know LOL.

Sarah

[kit]

I think the clue is the marking on the tank just below the Max line that says Min

[Blue Babe]

I think the clue is the marking on the tank just below the Max line that says Min

A very good clue

[horns]

Why would they bother fitting a tank if it was intended to be empty at all times?

I'd stop listening to this person's advice if I were you.