over heating

[douglas j]

This is just a thought, probably everyone knows already but, I have noticed that my car does get rather hot rather quickly. The overflow container looked ok but when I took it off found quite a few holes in it and the inside very rusted, the it dawned on me that the system was never under any pressure which of course meant that it over heated. I am buying a aluminium tank, probably from china ad will see if it improves matters.

[Kevin H]

Douglas,
Are you referring to the long cylindrical tank at the rear of the engine bay on the passenger side?

I've never heard of one of those rusting out before. For some reason I thought that was made of brass!

Kevin

[douglas j]

Yes passenger side, and yes steel, or rather rust. The idea of making it from steel is rather daft as you are right brass would be a better bet. What had not occurred to me, being a bit thick, was that with a hole in the overflow tank there would be no pressure and therefore knock the boiling point down.

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by douglas j

Yes passenger side, and yes steel, or rather rust. The idea of making it from steel is rather daft as you are right brass would be a better bet. What had not occurred to me, being a bit thick, was that with a hole in the overflow tank there would be no pressure and therefore knock the boiling point down.

Hmm, I'd better have a look at mine given it's been standing for a long time.

You are right, the pressurization of the system raises the boiling point of the coolant, so if it is not pressurized it will very likely overheat.