While You're In There: Coolant Expansion Tank

[sweet victory]

Noticed my coolant expansion tank has begun leaking. Already have a replacement, and ordering some tools this week. Is there anything anyone would recommend I replace while I'm in there or have any tips for a smooth replacement? Will probably end up changing fluid while I'm at it.

Thank you ahead of time.

[B3DAWG]

Noticed my coolant expansion tank has begun leaking. Already have a replacement, and ordering some tools this week. Is there anything anyone would recommend I replace while I'm in there or have any tips for a smooth replacement? Will probably end up changing fluid while I'm at it.

Thank you ahead of time.

Subscribed! Please include the DIY steps on this one with lots of purty pictures. Thanks!

[sweet victory]

I will try!

Trying to find as much info as I can before I start this job in 2ish weeks.

[5chn3ll]

What's the symptom of the leaky tank? If you can actually see the coolant on top of the tank, replacing the cap might be sufficient for the time being...

The revised part number caps are better than the original, but even the newer caps will start leaking as the seal hardens over time.

[sweet victory]

What's the symptom of the leaky tank? If you can actually see the coolant on top of the tank, replacing the cap might be sufficient for the time being...

The revised part number caps are better than the original, but even the newer caps will start leaking as the seal hardens over time.

Noticed it when I had my car on a friend's lift and saw coolant crust on the driver side headers I had recently installed. Said crust was not present on the headers that I removed, indicating it was a fairly new leak. Looking from below upwards, I noticed drips had also fallen onto the heat shield around the ignition coil. Looking from above, the top side of the tank did not indicate a leak from the coolant expansion tank. The current tank PN indicates it's not the latest revision and is discolored to where I cannot really see the coolant level through the plastic. Maintenance records show that the cap was replaced along with the water pump, and while not the latest revision, does not appear to be leaking. I wish it was just the cap.

[5chn3ll]

Sounds like you've got it properly diagnosed. 20ish years of heat cycling has wreaked havoc with some of the plastic connectors, clips, etc. in my engine bay.

RE: the "While you're in there" part of your post - if you haven't already done so, the plastic connector for the coolant line that goes to the AOS would be a great candidate.

[Sneaky Pete]

So......there was a post from this morning about what else to do and now it is gone. Wut Up Wit Dat?

[sweet victory]

So......there was a post from this morning about what else to do and now it is gone. Wut Up Wit Dat?

Never would've thought of getting a passport while changing the coolant tank.

[Kalashnikov]

2002+ cars require the engine to be lowered a little to get the tank out. On 1999-2001 cars you can get away with pulling the tank out without lowering the engine. I've done this on my 2002, and it was painful process. Lots of curse words were used.

While you are there, pay attention to the vacuum line fittings for the SAI pump, as you can accidentally crack them or break them and you will get the P0491&P0492. Also, get the special cable pliers for taking off the hose clams. All of the OEM claims are the non-worm types, so they are painful to take off without the special tool. Make sure that you also correctly slot the new tank, as it is has to "slot" into the chassis that it attaches to.

[B3DAWG]

Changing out the coolant reservoir on my dad's old truck was like a 15 min. job. Something that seems so simple turns into major heart surgery with Porsches. Can I get a witness?