Relieve Pressure
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 6:42 am
Hi, everyone! When I replaced my expansion tank for the fifth time in nearly as many months 3 years ago, I realized that the biggest problem seemed to come from pressure. The old one, albeit one of those crap aftermarket plastic jobbies, was simply bursting and swelling from pressure and heat.
So, it dawned on me that if there were a way to relieve the pressure without risking any spray-out, it just might help the new one last a little longer than 3 months!
My answer? I broke out the drill (always a good start )and drilled two small relief holes right through the rubber gasket and metal retainer of my cap. The hole is small enough that the rubber recovers enough to eliminate any spray, but the holes let out enough air to keep pressure from trying to detonate the tank.
The results? Unbelievable. Over three years on and it looks like new. No kidding! I can't believe it, either. I have experienced absolutely no cooling problems whatsoever (live in LA, where it's routinely 90+), and no drips, or leaks at all.
It's worth a try, before you spend a chunk of $$ on a metal one.
I can take pics, if anyone wants to see what I did.
So, it dawned on me that if there were a way to relieve the pressure without risking any spray-out, it just might help the new one last a little longer than 3 months!
My answer? I broke out the drill (always a good start )and drilled two small relief holes right through the rubber gasket and metal retainer of my cap. The hole is small enough that the rubber recovers enough to eliminate any spray, but the holes let out enough air to keep pressure from trying to detonate the tank.
The results? Unbelievable. Over three years on and it looks like new. No kidding! I can't believe it, either. I have experienced absolutely no cooling problems whatsoever (live in LA, where it's routinely 90+), and no drips, or leaks at all.
It's worth a try, before you spend a chunk of $$ on a metal one.
I can take pics, if anyone wants to see what I did.