can someone please simply expain the function of the overflow tank on the celica. does it only drain, can it reintroduce fluid to the system? mine had some volume when i looked at it after a drive today, is it simply an excessa bout of coolant in the system?
It act's as a siphon to pull more fluid in when it needs to, the rad also pushes fluid out into the overflow when it get's hot and expands.
does anyone know the capasity of the coolign system? I defintly need to flush mine. so far ive found out the mix is 50/50 anti freez and distilled water. can anyone discribe the process?
like rye said, when the coolant gets hot and expands, it overflows into the overflow tank. when it cools off it contracts, vacuuming the coolant that was previously overflowed back into the rad. now go buy some rad flush and antifreeze. read the instructions on the flush, use it, then refill with 50/50 antifreeze and distilled water (or if you're lazy like me, tap water)
Let engine run until the thermostat opens up (top and bottom rad hoses really hot to touch) drain coolant through plug at bottom of rad. Stick hose in top of rad and flush thoroughly until water draining is clean...you can also take the hose off where it goes into your heater core and flush from that point as well. It's probably a good idea to remove the overflow tank and flush it out while your at it Tighten the drain plug and hoses Then jack the front of the car up quite high...pour a whole container of coolant in...and top up with water.....fill the overflow tank with straight coolant...with the car still jacked up run the engine with the rad cap off for up to ten minutes with heater on full hot (you want the thermostat to open up again if it has closed) then top up as necessary, replace the rad cap and run the car again up to operating temp. Once it has cooled off check the fluid again and top up if necessary