Radiator Overflow
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 106
From: COSMOS
Radiator Overflow
OK , I have seen countless overflow containers made from beer cans, plastic bottles , etc...etc. Then I see fancy ones that have a tube or two running out the bottom and a tube inside with a cap that has two openings for 2 tubes or sometimes one and no other tank or jug is involved. I know some systems use two tanks. Anyway how & why do some use the Kool looking beer cans with just a hose stuck inside from the top with a cap sometimes , & some have a fancy looking store bought jug with hoses connecting at the bottom and a tube inside that runs all the way to the bottom. Now I think of it, its seems the ones with the fancy may draw the fluid back into the radiator if needed if fluid gets low.
I may have just answered my own question !!!!!!!!!!!ha ..........anyway do you know of a way to make a kool one, with the extra tubes and explain the science/physics of my confusion.............I am thinking of a plastic bottle but that will probably melt.........I guess a can maybe.............Anyway hope someone will help................
I may have just answered my own question !!!!!!!!!!!ha ..........anyway do you know of a way to make a kool one, with the extra tubes and explain the science/physics of my confusion.............I am thinking of a plastic bottle but that will probably melt.........I guess a can maybe.............Anyway hope someone will help................
Tuned
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 413
Likes: 52
Not sure what is going on but overflow may be a function of a radiator cap that needs to be replaced or you overfill the radiator when it is cold. You need about an inch below the filler neck to allow for expansion of the coolant. I have the basic factory overflow hose and don't get a drop of fluid from it even when the engine has run hard.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 106
From: COSMOS
HE DID A GREAT JOB FITTING THE BRACKETS TO THE JUG !!!
ALSO HELPS ME TOWARDS MAKING MY OWN JUG.............HA
Tuned
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 301
Likes: 40
From: East Tennessee
Dad was a sheet metal worker, so these brackets were quite simple work for him no doubt. Probably never guessed they'd be seen by anyone else.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 181
Likes: 18
When a rad runs hot the cap holds back pressure until around 15psi, then it releases that pressure.
If you have just a hose it dumps it onto the ground.
If you have a catch can it dumps it into the can.
If you have a fancy catch can (expansion tank) it has the tube that connects into the bottom, then another overflow that dumps excess into the ground. Sometimes the overflow is just a tube going up from the bottom nearly to the top.
the benefit of a tube from the radiator connecting at the bottom is that it sucks coolant back into the radiator as it cools down. This keeps more coolant in the radiator. Otherwise it would just suck in air which can accelerate internal corrosion in addition to reduced cooling properties.
if you want it to work well and look like a beer can just get one of the expansion tanks that’s a thin cylinder and get a beer can of similar size and cut/wrap the can around the tank.
If you have just a hose it dumps it onto the ground.
If you have a catch can it dumps it into the can.
If you have a fancy catch can (expansion tank) it has the tube that connects into the bottom, then another overflow that dumps excess into the ground. Sometimes the overflow is just a tube going up from the bottom nearly to the top.
the benefit of a tube from the radiator connecting at the bottom is that it sucks coolant back into the radiator as it cools down. This keeps more coolant in the radiator. Otherwise it would just suck in air which can accelerate internal corrosion in addition to reduced cooling properties.
if you want it to work well and look like a beer can just get one of the expansion tanks that’s a thin cylinder and get a beer can of similar size and cut/wrap the can around the tank.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 14,255
Likes: 199
From: Phoenix, Az.
In order for the radiator to suck fluid back in you have to have a later model radiator cap designed to do this. The original 13# cap that came with our rigs didn't have this feature. The manufacturers hadn't thought of it yet. I'm assuming that's why Bumps didn't have an overflow jug. Note, back in the day Ford put 13# caps on vertical flow radiators. And then 15# caps on horizontal flow radiators. I had been told that horizontal radiators could hold more pressure.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2017
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From: COSMOS
In order for the radiator to suck fluid back in you have to have a later model radiator cap designed to do this. The original 13# cap that came with our rigs didn't have this feature. The manufacturers hadn't thought of it yet. I'm assuming that's why Bumps didn't have an overflow jug. Note, back in the day Ford put 13# caps on vertical flow radiators. And then 15# caps on horizontal flow radiators. I had been told that horizontal radiators could hold more pressure.
This helps stupendously........ 
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