Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2021 07:26:37 -0700
Reply-To: Mark McCulley <markmcculley@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark McCulley <markmcculley@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Aluminum coolant tanks. Why?
In-Reply-To: <CY4PR0801MB3731BF82692892B03B0C714FA0E59@CY4PR0801MB3731.namprd08.prod.outlook.com>
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Interesting discussion. Dennis, thanks for the info on why an aluminum tank
isn't just another piece of bling (albeit hidden in the engine compartment).
Is there any appreciable difference between the tank offered by vancafe and
the gowesty one? The vancafe tank is a bit more expensive. The gowesty tank
is on backorder now.
Regards,
Mark
On Fri, Jul 23, 2021 at 3:15 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> The aluminum coolant tanks were developed in response to the high failure
> rate of the original tank. These failures were a result of the design and
> materials used. The cap itself is also a high failure item. The problem is
> worse now as the tanks available are of even poorer material. Adding to
> this tank failure can also caused by other system issues such as combustion
> gasses getting into the system or other failures including fan not
> functioning. In these events undiagnosed failures often result in ear
> immediate failure of the tank or cap. The metal based tanks are much more
> tolerant and so is the pressure cap. In addition the standard design cap
> used with these tanks besides being robust and tolerant are easily
> inspected and replaced. They also can release pressure and suck back more
> reliably, with more capacity and not get damaged by a steam blast. The
> standardized cap design also allows for easier attachment of pressure
> testers and even pressurized filling equipment.
>
> The real consideration is reliability and saving an engine. For all the
> bad press the Waterboxer gets the reality is that while there are some
> weaknesses they really never wear out and most all failures are the result
> of some fluid system failure, coolant, oil, or fuel. While you may need to
> deal with outer head gaskets, a burned valve, or maybe even rings, if you
> never loose the coolant, oil pressure or lean-flood the cylinders Upgrading
> this tank with fuel you will never loose one of these engines. Upgrading
> this tank eliminates one more engine killer. I do acknowledge that these
> tanks are not perfect. The hose nipples don't quit fit the hose and clamp
> design, on one the coolant sensor is satisfied as long coolant is still
> spraying on it, and I don’t think they separate the dirt and debris out
> like the original. But getting the better cap and eliminating the sudden
> failure failures is worth the cost.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of gary
> hradek
> Sent: Friday, July 23, 2021 11:18 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Aluminum coolant tanks
>
> If the plastic ones are still available why would anyone want the weight
> of an Aluminum coolant tanks at nearly 10x the cost?
>
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