Club 80-90 Forums

Just took the van out for a little run (first since feb) and he ran fine then went very sluggish.

I then noticed that the burb tank had coolant in it right up to the filler hole which is a good inch above the max line. Is it recommended to remove the excess or will it dicipate itself?

Ran him around the block again by the way and he ran like a dream which is great seeing as it's only his 2nd time out since Nov and his first since Feb

The burb tank? The one behind the number plate? How much is in the real tank inside?

My tank behind the number plate never has anything in it (much) but the one on top is full!

I have no idea what it means BTW, every time I ask someone knowledgable says "don't worry"

The coolant tank is virtually full. However I did mess with the bottle top and it sprayed a bit of warm coolant at me so maybe that's why the burb tank has a little bit too much in.

Will probably drain the burb tank off and then top up the expansion tank if needed once it's fully cooled.

Anyone know what's the best coolant to use as Si Baxter filled mine on the last service

As far as I know the main one you get to from engine should be full, and I always make sure my other one (behind number plate) is full up to max too. As far as i am aware if it gets too full then it will just spirt out the top anyway. (one behind number plate) I wouldn't open the main tank whilst hot as it will burn you. This can also let air in system possibly can't it if its hot? Normally if it drops a bit when hot, it sucks it back through from the other when it cools down.
I try not to mess with it too much for fear of letting air in the system. I just make sure i keep the top up tank topped up behind the reg plate and touch wood its fine...
phosphate free coolant is what you need I believe. Sure Simon would tell you the exact one he uses. Not sure whether you can mix different types or not.
Kathy

G12+ coolant is about £5.50ish for 1½ litres from VW dealerships. The pink stuff.

You might be able to get it cheaper elsewhere but at least you know it's the right stuff.

Surely Euan, if the 'burb' (what does that mean?) is always empty then fluid is being drawn up to the main tank, if that is happening it must mean you have a leak somewhere, and if coolant can get out then perhaps air can get in?

Just went back out for a look now the engine has cooled down and the burb bottle level is down to the minimum line and the expesion tank still looks full (through the opaque plastic)

We have a small leak in a gasket of our water pump.

The nice RAC man explained to me that even if the top up tank (behind the number plate) was full the fluid would not be drawn through to the main header tank (in engine bay) as there would be no vacuum due to the leak.

Ever since we have been topping up the main tank in the engine compartment until next weekend when the good Dr Gasure sorts us out. The top up tank behind the number plate stays at the same level all the time due to the lack of a vacuum.

This sounds like I know stuff but it's only what I was told.

The main water tank always stays at the same level but like most I tend to have to top up the burb tank now and again. Must have a small leak somewhere but it doesn't seem to be effecting the vaccum.

I think it just occured from me being a div and taking the top off whilst it was still warm and obviously under pressure

the top up tank ( Burp!) should be full when engine is hot, almost always above the fill hole, this is because the header tank( Real) pushed excess out as it warms up, then it sucks back when it cools down, its more to do with expansion than vacume....

sounds like all is well.......

euan, fill it to full when cold, and it will top its self up .......

At last a definition I can follow. Cheers Moki.

Just need the MOT man to say all is well on Friday now

Top Man

the top up tank ( Burp!) should be full when engine is hot, almost always above the fill hole, this is because the header tank( Real) pushed excess out as it warms up, then it sucks back when it cools down, its more to do with expansion than vacume....
...

BUT, if you have a leak then as the engine cools down it may be easier to suck air in through the leak area than coolant from top up tank mine had coolant available to suck into header but header kept emptying and needed topping up directly. When I have been in the position of coolant light coming on the dash with the engine running, I removed the header tank CAREFULLY, with a rag then gradually topped it up so as to introduce cold coolant into hot system gradually so not to cause thermal shock to heads etc. There may well be less pressure in a leaking system however.

BURB tank, I like it! cos it burbles

If it was burp tank, it would have to keep saying 'Excuse me!' every time, hence a burb tank

Never even realised I had written burb instead of burp