Expansion tank cleaning.

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Expansion tank cleaning.

Postby stevieg8571 » Sat 26.11.2005, 03:49

Hi,
I'm in the process of changing my coils and have removed the expansion tank to make things easier. I decided to clean the tank, but has anyone got any ideas on how to remove what appears to be 14yrs worth of sludge?
Leaving boiling or soapy water to soak in doesn't seem to have any impact.

Anyone done this before?
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Postby Doug » Sat 26.11.2005, 04:01

uh, I know what you mean, but I have also tried various solutions and have decided the only way to get the look of a new tank is to purchase a new one . . .
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Postby stevieg8571 » Sat 26.11.2005, 04:06

Mornin Doug,

I considered changing the tank too. Called GM/Vauxhall and they're £16.50 + tax (without cap which is another £10.30 + tax!) over here. Probably gonna leave it for now.

Briefly thought about putting it in the dishwasher, but only very briefly!!
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Postby Doc Fizzix » Sat 26.11.2005, 05:35

I used a Preston radiator cleaner (takes out rust and corrosion)

Worked great! Cleaned out the overflow tank crud
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Postby John_W » Sat 26.11.2005, 14:45

I just persevered with detergent, bottle brushes and any cleaning sponge/scourer which you can stuff in, shake about and get back out. It took about an hour but all the grot came off. (With the tank in the sink of course, not in the car.)

Same technique worked on the windscreen washer reservoir which had several new forms of life in it.

John.
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Washer bottle.

Postby stevieg8571 » Sat 26.11.2005, 17:46

I know what you mean about the windscreen wash bottle. Mine absolutely stank. Reminded me of school-days stink bombs!! Even my girlfriend noticed it as soon as she walked in the house, 2 hours later!!
I'm getting a replacement bottle + pump soon anyway, hope that's not as smelly!

I'll try some sink cleaner type detergent, maybe that'll help.
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Postby ianh » Sun 27.11.2005, 22:09

I've just replaced mine as it was coated with sludge, and the difference is very noticeable.

It's only when the old one was out of the car and side by side with the new one that I realised how discoloured it was - not just the deposits, but the entire plastic was discoloured beyond recovery.

I got the official Lotus part from Paul Matty (£21+VAT), and then kicked myself on opening the packaging to find it's a GM part.........so you're already quids in by spotting this up front!

All in all, I think it was worth it rather than spending hours on the old one that would never look like new again.

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Postby Paul.P » Sun 26.03.2006, 14:14

Does anybody know what GM/Vauxhall car our header tank was fitted to ?
JPS M100 was built from bare chassis up to create one off M100 in the mould of JPS Team Lotus
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Postby ailwyn » Sun 26.03.2006, 17:01

See http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/v ... highlight=

"header tank which is a nova part no 90128691"

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Postby stevieg8571 » Sun 26.03.2006, 17:39

I called a VX dealer about buying one of these tanks when changing the coils. I think they were £16 + VAT, but that didn't include the cap, for some unknown reason!!
My local dealer didn't stock them either so it would've taken around 3 days to get one. They confirmed it was a Nova item too.

Hope this helps.
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Postby pjohn151 » Mon 27.03.2006, 09:39

With the saving in buying from a Vauxhall dealer, I would recommend getting a new pressure cap as the old one can be anything up to 17 yrs old, and the pressure venting in the cap may be seized. These too are the same as the Corsa/Nova item.

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Postby TheBard » Sun 30.04.2006, 23:48

Okay, after a fruitless half hour looking for a USA parts listing for (Astra part #90128691) does anyone know what US car I can get the part off?

Cheers,
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Postby Doug » Mon 01.05.2006, 08:44

TheBard wrote:Okay, after a fruitless half hour looking for a USA parts listing for (Astra part #90128691) does anyone know what US car I can get the part off?

Cheers,
Ian


Try a USA Lotus Elan . . . . [runs for the door]
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Postby TheBard » Mon 01.05.2006, 13:51

:lol: I asked for that didn't I!!!
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Postby Gazza » Mon 21.04.2008, 13:59

I have cleaned my expansion tank and I'm pleased with the results.

Just left it overnight in Milton sterilizer and then used a metal clothes hanger with a piece of material attached to the end to clean it out.

Gazza
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Postby theelanman » Mon 21.04.2008, 15:43

OOO.....milton.....make sure you rinse the kids bottle
just imaging what kids are drinking.....!!!!
is must be stronger than turps and I seen some dodgey adults a mess on that :roll:
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Postby Monty » Mon 21.04.2008, 16:35

Bloody hell Gazza, yours was quite bad :shock: but thats come up like new :smt023
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Postby GeoffSmith » Mon 21.04.2008, 19:16

It's a hell of a lot quicker putting it in the dish washer!
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Postby theelanman » Mon 21.04.2008, 19:38

GeoffSmith wrote:It's a hell of a lot quicker putting it in the dish washer!
:shock: :shock: :shock:

what with (detergent)????
when ive put stuff in the dishwasher it usually gets funny marks on it where it looks like its been in an acid bath!!!! :shock: :shock: :shock:
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Postby Rodman » Mon 21.04.2008, 21:05

The coating on the tank is basically rust. As already mentioned, cleans up easy with bleach, domestic cleaner. Make sure you have flushed the tank well before you put it back. Did mine some time ago. The dishwasher didn't work (don't tell the wife) next wash smelt funny blammed it on a blocked drain :) .
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