Tip/Trick: Overflow bottles for trucks

unorthodoxneon · Jul 12, 2007

I'm in the process of doing some research on adding an overflow bottle to our trucks. I have an FL-80 with a cat 3126 motor. And i noticed that the way these truck systems are set up that if there is any extra fluid is just purged to the outside and there is no way to bring the coolant back into the system like on personal vehicles. Before i got into this truck someone had zip tied a gatoraide bottle and cut a whole in the top and had the tube go into it. Well i noticed that the coolant system would use this bottle. So i went and bought a Radiator Overflow bottle kit and installed it on the truck and running some test now to see how well it works. I've ran it for a few hundred miles now and notice that the coolant level inside the system has been at the proper level and not needing to filled.

I will be posting some pictures in the next couple days on what it looks like. I think that this is a modification that should be considered on all trucks.

cheri1122 · Jul 12, 2007

Thanks, Neon - and some pics would be appreciated, too. It's hard to believe that a Gatorade plastic bottle would hold up, in the heat under the hood, but recycling is a good idea, I would think. Since I really don't know much about it, if it's not a good idea, someone who knows will post it, I'm sure - but I'm here to learn, and appreciate that too.

unorthodoxneon · Jul 12, 2007

I'm on my way from Seattle, WA to Detroit and the temps have been near the 100 mark and the new overflow bottle is working well.

With no overflow system i was able to take the radiator cap off with the truck running and no fluid would squirt out because there wasnt enough in the system cause it would purge out. Also i notice now that the radiator hoses have pressure to them now. More pressure in the system keeps the coolant from boiling over because even antifreeze alone isnt good enough to keep air bubbles/pockets from forming. The truck has been running cooler then before and the fan hasnt had to kick on as much even with the A/C on.

I will have some pictures up of the system once i get home. The kit cost $10 and think its a worthwhile investment.

I wish i could explain more about this and the pros but in a nutshell it can keep the truck from over heating due to low coolant. Keeps air out of the system, and you dont have to keep filling up the coolant up everyday.

unorthodoxneon · Aug 3, 2007

Sorry for no pictures yet, but i will be getting some pictures in the next half hour.

Also when i was doing some research about cooling and stuff here is A Q&A session with radiator/cooling pros i found online and i copied and pasted this part that is why i have the bottle on the truck

Do you recommend recovery tanks?

Be Cool
Yes, all the coolant that is vented from the radiator by the overflow should be reclaimed by a recovery tank. Recovery tanks allow the cooling system to replenish and helps to ensure that the radiator is always full.

Flex-a-lite
The requirement of a coolant-recovery system is not only environmentally sound, but a good idea to maintain a constant level in the cooling system. Most coolant is not environmentally friendly. It is a pollutant, and therefore should not be released to the ground. Maintaining a constant level in the cooling system will allow it to function better and prevent air from entering the system that could bring with it contaminates that might cause a failure in the cooling system in the future.

Griffin
Absolutely.

Mattson's
We recommend a recovery system on everything we do today.

U.S. Radiator
Rule of thumb is to buy the largest one that will fit in the engine compartment and still look cool. Check the recovery tank often and you'll know the size is inadequate if you find it empty.

Walker
It's a must in the performance field, and it's an advantage but not a cure-all in the street rod world. If you have the correct cooling system design, don't waste your money (I have never needed one).