How To Fix A Cracked Coolant Reservoir? The safe and effective running of your engine can be adversely affected by a crack in the coolant reservoir of your car. The coolant reservoir acts as a temporary container for your car’s coolant as it is ejected from your radiator during operation as your engine warms up. Your engine’s stored coolant is replaced with the radiator itself when the temperature drops.
Extreme caution must be exercised due to the high pressure that your radiator reservoir is placed under during operation, even though it is quite simple to diagnose and even repair a fracture in it. Although it is usually always a preferable idea to completely replace the damaged reservoir, the steps listed below can be used as a temporary fix.
How To Fix A Cracked Coolant Reservoir?
Step 1 – Remove Coolant
You must first siphon all of the coolant from the reservoir itself using your siphon hose and bucket.
Step 2. Find the leak
Completely inspect the reservoir. Once the leak has been located, you should properly identify it with a marker so that you don’t miss it during subsequent procedures.
Step 3: Let Go of the Pressure
When the engine is running or has just been switched off the radiator, and particularly the coolant reservoir, will be under pressure. For this reason, make sure to finish this step only after you are certain that the engine has completely cooled. Release the cap on the radiator or the coolant reservoir to release any pressure in the radiator system.
Step 4 – Remove the Overflow Tube
Looking at the radiator and coolant reservoir, you will see a tube connecting the two components, known as the overflow tube. You will need to disconnect this in order to continue. Often, there will be a ring clamp present that can be adjusted with pliers. Once the tube is clamped off, remove it where it connects to the coolant reservoir.
Step 5 – Remove Coolant Reservoir
A series of bolts and/or screws will typically attach your coolant reservoir to the chassis of your vehicle. You will need to carefully remove these one by one, making sure to keep track of them as they’re removed since you will need them to reattach the coolant reservoir when you are finished. After removing the coolant reservoir, shake it upside down to remove any remaining coolant that is still left after siphoning.
Step 6 – Clean Reservoir
Wash the reservoir thoroughly, both inside and out with your water hose. Allow the reservoir to dry completely before continuing. Sand the area to be repaired for better epoxy adhesion.
Step 7 – Apply Epoxy
Prepare a plastic welding product or epoxy according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and then carefully apply it to the coolant reservoir as directed. Thoroughly work the plastic weld or epoxy into the crack to ensure a complete seal. Allow the product to cure for the recommended amount of time before continuing.
Step 8 – Replace Components and Test
Once the epoxy has been given time to dry, reattach the coolant reservoir by using the same method from earlier in reverse. Then, refill the reservoir with coolant and test the system with a radiator pressure tester to make sure your repair has succeeded and that the reservoir is working properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Que 1: Can You Repair A Cracked Coolant Reservoir?
Ans: If the crack is small, you can use an epoxy resin or a sealant to repair it. However, if the crack is large or the reservoir is severely damaged, replacement is often the best option.
Que 2: Can You Drive With A Broken Coolant?
Ans: It’s best to avoid driving your car if you have a coolant leak because an overheating engine is an unsafe engine!
Also Read: HOW TO SELL EXOTIC CARS LIKE A PRO? [A STEP BY STEP GUIDE]
Conclusion
A crucial component of the cooling system is the coolant reservoir. It’s in charge of keeping the coolant that keeps the engine cool.
The coolant reservoir may crack for a number of reasons, including ageing, overheating, pressure, vibration, or expansion and contraction brought on by changes in temperature. The typical cost to replace the entire device is between $100 and $200.
On the other hand, if the issue is merely a broken reservoir, it could be simple to patch the reservoir alone. The typical price range for this is $15 to $50. As always, the best method to acquire a precise estimate of the cost of the repairs is to speak with an experienced mechanic. For our beautiful guides keep visiting Car Walls.
