Rob Turbo 3 Posted December 8, 2007 With my 306 turbo conversion I need to find a coolant expansion tank because most 306's don't have an expansion tank which is sh*t! Now space is a bit tight and about the only space I can see that would fit such an object is behind the drivers headlight, I've got a couple of vauxhall and ford expansion tanks kicking about and none of them fit anywhere in the bay, but with my 306 not having power steering I thought of using a 306 power steering bottle, which is made to fit there! Now here's the thing, will it be ok? Pros: It fits! It has a hole at the bottom to feed the system and a smaller hole at the top for the, errrm, smaller pipe!! Cons: It doesn't have a pressure relief valve in the cap How much of a problem will this be? Does it make it a complete no-no? I've already bought a power steering bottle though, before I thought about the pressure relief cap! I've tried a couple of different caps from the coolant expansion tanks I have and none of them fit! The other option I've thought of is an expansion tank from a 406, it goes in the same place but there's probably more space in a 406 ,I don't really want to buy one incase it won't fit! Does anyone have any info/suggestions (or free expansion tanks that might fit!!)? Thanks, Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brianthemagical 1 Posted December 8, 2007 i take it the rad your using is a tight fit, hence ruling the rad out as an option? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Turbo 3 Posted December 8, 2007 Well I'm using the rad from a 2.0 8v turbo, because the sides have a space for the intercooler pipes to fit past, only just though, I'm not 100% sure that it will fit without modifying the shell but I know that it will fit somehow because I've seen it done before. The standard 1.4 rad has a huge gap at one side but no gap at the other, but that doesn't even do a good job at cooling the 1.4 engine! Other options for a rad I suppose could be s16 or d turbo, both have the expansion tank built in, but neither will have a gap for the intercooler pipe on the drivers side because this is where the expansion tank is and I'm not sure what the clearence is like on the passenger side. Another problem is the rad can't be moved across even if there is enough space at the passenger side because the bottom rad hose goes through a hole in the shell and it would be a lot of work to move the rad across because of this. I suppose the only problem with a PAS bottle not having a pressure relief valve would be if the engine over heated, causing pressure in the coolant system, it would break something! So as long as it doesn't over heat I should be ok? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
24seven 104 Posted December 8, 2007 (edited) if it does overhaet, you could end up with h/g failure or a pipe bursting. best find a place for a pressure erlease cap. Edited December 8, 2007 by 24Seven Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Turbo 3 Posted December 8, 2007 That's what I'm worried about, is there any type of pressure relief valve that I could fit to a coolant pipe somewhere perhaps? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted December 9, 2007 I think you can get top rad hoses with pressure release cap fittings on them for kit cars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackherer 543 Posted December 9, 2007 I remembered where I'd seen it: http://www.nfauto.co.uk/in_line_radiator_filler_neck.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,624 Posted December 9, 2007 have a look on 306 gti6 site at the supercharger conversions, they are using the standard gti6 radiators, slimline fans and quite a sizeable Intercooler that's piped under the rad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Turbo 3 Posted December 9, 2007 The problem with using a gti6 rad now is that I have already bought the rad, intercooler and loads of pipework, so it would mean a complete rethink! Them filler adaptors seem like a good idea, I'll keep them in mind I went down the shed before and dug out an expansion tank from an xm (that my last engine came out of), it's got one of the small pipes snapped off and I'll need to find a coolant level sensor or a big bolt to block the hole off, but that will fit in if I remove the screen wash filler neck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey S 29 1 Cars Posted December 9, 2007 take that pas tank down to your local motorfactors and try a rover 200 or a vauxhall astra/vectra cap on it before you rule it out. there both screw on caps that may fit your pas tank. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Turbo 3 Posted December 9, 2007 I've tried a mk2 astra cap and an orion cap and they are both too big, I have to go tomorrow anyway to get a thermostat so I'll take it down with me and see if they can try a few caps on. Thanks for the suggestion Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil H 16 Posted December 9, 2007 I have a surplus Citroen Picasso expansion cap, which I can see if it threads on a 205 power steering bottle I have. Any use? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Turbo 3 Posted December 9, 2007 That would be spot on mate! Thanks, Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil H 16 Posted December 10, 2007 I tried it and it threads on ok, athough I am uncertain how well it will seal up, as I can't pressure test it. Pm me your address and I will pop it in the post for you to make your own mind up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Turbo 3 Posted December 10, 2007 PM sent! Thanks, Rob Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
