Where do I put collant?

[Ronan]

Where do I check the coolant level and where do I add more coolant to my 1976 BMW 2002?

Thanks.

 

R.

[esty]

radiator

[Ronan]

Thank you, Esty.

 

And do you just fill it up until it won't take anymore?

 

R.

[FunElan]

Don't fill it up until it runs out...but put enough in so the top tank appears to be full. Remember that coolant is a 50/50 mix of distilled water and antifreeze. I prefer the blue antifreeze that BMW makes but that's just me. 

[TobyB]

Leave about an inch of air space-

if you don't, it'll puke out about that much in 4 or 5 heat cycles.

 

t

[Ronan]

Thank you, all.

[jimk]

The question seems to indicate Ronan if very new to the older cooling systems, so I must add to only open the cap when the radiator/engine is cool.  You can get scalded by opening a hot radiator.

Edited September 13, 2017 by jimk

[Dudeland]

I cringe every time I think about hot coolant.  I had worked at a gas station when I was young and was very good at removing caps off of hot motors.  Fast forward 15 + years and I was in a hurry late to meet a builder for my house. I  started to bleed the pressure of my overheating 740 (fan clutch broke) , went into the gas station to use the washroom, came out....  no hissing, but forgot the golden rule... always check the hose for pressure.   Pulled off the cap the rest of the way, exploded hot coolant all over my hand. 2nd-degree burns (like skin falling off like a rubber glove) half way up to my elbow.  Luckily I was within 4 min of one of the top burn wards in Canada.  Saved my hand, full use restored, but still get anxiety attacks when I smell coolant. 

 

True story, Pass it on, cooling systems are not something to fool with.  I was lucky, there were people there that had no face, because they were looking down the rad when it blew up. 

 

 

 

 

 

[John76]

Does anyone use a coolant overflow tank? 

The old radiators just dump extra coolant down a hose and onto the ground.

I've always wondered why...and what to do about it.

 

John

 

PS: Don't over fill the radiator!  As Toby said, leave at least an inch below the filler neck.

[conkitchen]

11 hours ago, esty said:

radiator

That's where radiator fluid goes. The question is where to put the collant. 

[TobyB]

Dammit, Con, not that again!

 

Yes, Jim, we put an overflow on Jenn's car to go with the early Pinto rad mod (all the rage in the '80's)

 

I think the overflow's off a Volvo 140...

 

t

 

[John_in_VA]

4 hours ago, John76 said:

Does anyone use a coolant overflow tank? 

 

I used one as an expansion tank on my '70, with the tank mounted near the driver's headlight.  You need a radiator cap that seals completely to take advantage of the vacuum to transfer coolant from tank to radiator.

[Mike Self]

Sealed cooling systems were first used on (don't laugh) 1962 Renault R8 cars, but didn't really catch on in Europe until well into the 70s.  Since the 02 was mechanically similar to the NK sedans that didn't have a sealed cooling system, they never had 'em either.  I believe BMW began using 'em on their smallest cars with the E21 3 series. 

 

mike

[John76]

1 hour ago, mike said:

 I believe BMW began using 'em on their smallest cars with the E21 3 series. 

 

mike

 

Is there any advantage of a overflow tank (cooling wise) or is it just to keep the antifreeze from poisoning animals?

[JerryC]

14 minutes ago, John76 said:

 

Is there any advantage of a overflow tank (cooling wise) or is it just to keep the antifreeze from poisoning animals?

You can add coolant without opening the hot radiator.

You get a visual indication of coolant level without opening the radiator.

It adds reserve coolant in the event a leak occurs, the radiator stays full until the reservoir is empty.

If you trap air in a hose during refill, there is reserve coolant to make it up when the engine cools.

- Just a few advantages off the top of my head, I'm sure others can add to the list.

 

By the way, what radiator cap would one use with a brass '02 radiator plus a reservoir? The cap would need to be sealed to the top lip of the radiator filler neck, and stock '02 caps aren't sealed that way.