Over flow coolant tank level question

[DanG]

Long story short, I got the car back from the dyno a few weeks ago, where the shop also finished off a few odds and ends for me, including initial start up of the car after 8 years, evac system install for the valve covers, and pour in coolant. ( I gave them the car w/o coolant in the event they needed to pull anything in the motor )
Anyways, the coolant over flow tank is empty, and has always been empty since I got the car back. I'm assuming that this is fine, as the purpose of the overflow tank is just that, over flow.. Is this correct?

 

[SableSal]

Well, kinda. The tank is designed so that over flow will get poured in to the tank, but if the radiator needs coolant it will suck from the tank. Just make sure your radiator is filled to the brim. You'll be ok.

 

[revhead347]

Should be about half full.

Kurt

 

[4rdnut]

When your engine cools down, vacuum is formed and pulls coolant from the overflow tank, if the tank is empty the engine sucks in air which causes air pockets to form in the heads causing hot spots. Keep coolant level at the cold level in overflow tank when engine is cold.

 

[VibrantRedGT]

That tank is your insurance policy, make sure it's half full like mentioned. If the motor does need coolant is going to get it from the tank. I would never drive with an empty overflow tank, that's asking for trouble.

The reason why it's empty I'm sure they sure didn't burp the system correctly. They probably filled up the radiator and tank. After the stat opened a few times it needed coolant and sucked the tank dry.

 

[4Jenna]

I agree!

 

[DanG]

Sounds good guys. Thanks for the replies. I'll go home this evening and put in a coolant/water mixture.

 

[4Jenna]

I'd recc Purple Ice and or water wetter also if you dont already have it in there!

 

[DanG]

I'd recc Purple Ice and or water wetter also if you dont already have it in there!

I don't have either. Thanks for the recommendation. Purple Ice almost sounds good enough to eat....err... Gotta stop typing out loud...

 

[VibrantRedGT]

Do a 60/40 mix, 60 water / 40 coolant, buy 2 bottles of Water Wetter, properly get the air out of the system and you should be golden.

Start the car with the radiator cap off, when the thermostat opens, fill radiator to the top, put the cap back on. Do it quickly before the stat closes and starts pushing the coolant out of the radiator then you'll have a mess.

 

[chaos254]

what about you guys that are not running a stock overflow? Most are only a quart.... still fill it half way?