Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 116 Series (Alfetta Sedan/GT/GTV & Giulietta Sedan) => Topic started by: Fylnn on August 23, 2010, 12:13:04 PM

Title: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Fylnn on August 23, 2010, 12:13:04 PM
Since I am building a rally car with a rool cage through to the front suspension towers I have had to reposition the coolant tank.  Sadly though it has split and now leaks under pressure.  So quation for the day is has anyone sourced a suitable replacement other than genuine.  Ideally in fact I should get an aluminium tank made up.  But before I go to that expense, has anyone tried to graft in one off a Falcon or something similar?  There are many systems running a pressurised tank with the cap on it, the Falcon being the only commonly available one I can think of.

Ideally it should be smaller if anything to the original, but hoping for a cheap and easy alternative.

Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: dehne on August 23, 2010, 03:22:52 PM
if they are the same as the 90 i have a few spares
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Fylnn on August 23, 2010, 04:06:27 PM
I am guessing they are not too dis-similar.  it sat up in the corner behind the suspension tower and nestled around the wiper motor.  I will have to take a photo or try and find a picture of a 90 engine bay.
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Fylnn on August 23, 2010, 04:14:55 PM
I just found a picture of a 90 engine bay, does the 90 have the radiator cap on the coolant overflow bottle?
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: dehne on August 23, 2010, 04:26:19 PM
yes, the is one on e4bay to would cost you $10 in total have a look its the same as what ive got
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Fylnn on August 23, 2010, 04:49:41 PM
You would think that all transaxle Alfas were nominally the same but no.  This is quite different.  The GTV6 sits up on the left hand side, I think the 90's are on the right.  The GTV6 also has only one cap and it is the normal radiator type with a spring loading.
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: david sammartino on August 23, 2010, 07:03:11 PM
i have 2 brand new ones i have been keeping as spares. let me know if your interested, and in the mean time ill think of a price that would pursuade me to part with them.

Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Fylnn on August 23, 2010, 08:41:36 PM
Appreciate the assistance so far.  I have been told of a company that fabricates overflow tanks.  Which might actually suit my application better.  http://www.are.com.au/products/Parts/overflow_tanks.htm

I should post a photo of where it has to go.  As for the offer of the GTV4 instrument cluster, I assume the fuel sender is compatible.  I will check my wiring continuity again.  Hopefully lose wire and not the gauge.
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Sheldon McIntosh on August 24, 2010, 12:19:36 AM
So you don't want the fabricated aluminium ones from the USA, delivered at $250 AUS?  If it's a rally car, don't ruin a genuine tank, these are getting pretty rare aren't they?  And they fail for a reason, so have no place on any car other than a concours car.

Have a look at this...  http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=4263.0 (http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=4263.0)
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Storm_X on August 24, 2010, 07:42:01 PM
zip tie a coke bottle ?
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Typhoon90 on August 24, 2010, 08:51:20 PM
Coke bottle won't work. What makes it difficult is the fact it's not an overflow bottle, but a coolant recovery system, meaning it's pressurised.

Regards, andrew.
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: jimnielsen on August 24, 2010, 09:00:42 PM
I always used the ford ones as well on my 116 based cars because they are cheap, strong and easy to mount.

jim.

Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Darryl on August 25, 2010, 09:20:37 AM
Quote from: Typhoon90 on August 24, 2010, 08:51:20 PM
Coke bottle won't work. What makes it difficult is the fact it's not an overflow bottle, but a coolant recovery system, meaning it's pressurised.

I take it you have never built a bottle rocket? I've put over 100psi into a coke bottle partly filled with water :)

That said, a Coke bottle isn't heat-set so it would shrink/deform when heated. I believe there are some less common PET (polyester) containers that are heat set (eg for heat-treated juice) but as they are not used to hold carbonated beverages they may be in shapes that are less suitable as a pressure vessel.... Anyway - easy to tell - take a container you think might be a candidate and stick it in boiling water... PET is a strong material - don't underestimate it.
Of course, glass makes a fine pressure vessel too - even in this exact application - see eg Renault 12...
Title: Re: GTV6 Coolant Overflow Tank Replacement
Post by: Typhoon90 on August 26, 2010, 05:51:36 PM
That's great, now figure out how to mount the pressure relief cap on it and you're set....I really don't think the strength of PTFE is really relevant considering that the container must hold pressure AND vent it at a specific pressure.. .

Regards, Andrew.


Quote from: Darryl on August 25, 2010, 09:20:37 AM

I take it you have never built a bottle rocket? I've put over 100psi into a coke bottle partly filled with water :)

That said, a Coke bottle isn't heat-set so it would shrink/deform when heated. I believe there are some less common PET (polyester) containers that are heat set (eg for heat-treated juice) but as they are not used to hold carbonated beverages they may be in shapes that are less suitable as a pressure vessel.... Anyway - easy to tell - take a container you think might be a candidate and stick it in boiling water... PET is a strong material - don't underestimate it.
Of course, glass makes a fine pressure vessel too - even in this exact application - see eg Renault 12...