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Expansion tank - replacement

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#1 ·
I have a feeling that my expansion tank is nearing the end of its life - I can see some hair line cracks in it, I dont think its leaking just yet.....

I have been looking around a replacement aluminium tank, however, those on ebay, which even if I limit my search to, UK only, appear to still be in China

I dont have a problem waiting for it to arrive, however, the pictures to the tanks seem to vary from supplier to supplier and the number of outlets/inlets vary ! so I dont really want to buy something thats fit for the bin

Mine has two smaller tubes near the top of the tank and a larger one at the bottom, some of the pictures seem to also have another outlet by the tank cap and others appear to have a larger outlet on one of the sides, which I think is capped ?

These are what I have come across

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminum-Coolant-Radiator-Expansion-Tank-For-Ford-Fiesta-ST150-MK6-2002-2008/283178508406

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-Ford-Fiesta-ST150-MK6-2002-2008-Aluminium-Coolant-Overflow-Expansion-Tank/303446135001?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminum-Coolant-Expansion-Overflow-Tank-For-Ford-Fiesta-ST150-MK6-2002-2008/283734687290?_trksid=p2485497.m4902.l9144
 
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#5 ·
I decided to go for a cheaper option, which was a complete disaster, went to GSK, used their reg lockup facility for the expansion tank, which arrived was completely wrong..............sent back..........waiting for them to even acknowledge its return, 5 working days later

Will order up an alloy one from ebay this weekend, when it arrives Ill report back
 
#13 ·
So - the tank arrived........................

All went well removing the 3 hoses and the old tank

Fitted the tank, grrrr, it doesnt line up to the bracket hole in the car, the water level indicator protrudes too far....................

Then the reserve hose to the radiator snapped when I went to refit........................does anyone know where to buy the reserve radiator hose to radiator (the lower of the 2 smaller pipes going into the tank)

I then got annoyed, tried to remove the hose at the radiator end, only to find that one of the slam panel bolts holding in my mountune airbox lid was just spinning and wouldnt come out

Removed the front grille to try and get in that way

Got even more annoyed, packed away, left all the bits in the boot, shut the bonnet, instantly realising that the pull release had dropped into the engine bay.................

So, if, anyone can direct me for a direct replacement hose or part number and tips on how to get the bonnet open (the pull release from in the car works) that would be appreciated

I wont be defeated !
 
#14 · (Edited by Moderator)
Then the reserve hose to the radiator snapped when I went to refit........................does anyone know where to buy the reserve radiator hose to radiator (the lower of the 2 smaller pipes going into the tank)
If it's this one you mean, then here are the eBay listings for the part number.

Got even more annoyed, packed away, left all the bits in the boot, shut the bonnet, instantly realising that the pull release had dropped into the engine bay.................
I've done the same thing but my nearside headlight was out at the time so I just reached in and pulled the flap. You may be able to get at it by laying on your back under the car and reaching behind and over the radiator. The flap can be accessed from the nearside side of the bonnet latch mechanism.

If your front grill is still off and you can see the latch mechanism then you may be able to actuate it using a screwdriver. You need to move one of the vertical flaps (middle one, think) in a nearside direction.
 
#18 ·
Looks good. Btw you can further spruce up your engine bay by buying brand new fasteners to replace the rusting ones that look rusty but are otherwise fine. I used this car parts index to get part numbers then got the bits through either eBay suppliers or Hendy Performance.

There are a few that are very expensive, like the bolts visible in the door jam that hold the lock mechanisms in their place within the door. For those you can pick up decent ones in scrap yards.
 
#19 ·
Quick further update

Took the car out for a spin this morning, went to check the water level in the reservoir when I got home, I couldnt for the life of me get the cap off ! (hot or cold) in the end I resorted to using some grips

Is the system pressurised as I dont fancy having the same issue again next time I check the levels ?

I was just going to hand tighten it to the point of resistance and leaving it there, or does it need to be fully tightened
 
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