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MG TD TF 1500 - TD coolant recovery system???

Tired of constantly replacing coolant in the TD's radiator....
Who has done a recovery system, that actually works, and doesn't require an engineering degree?
Thanks for your detailed description.
Edward
E.B. Wesson

I'd find out why you need to replenish the anti-freeze mixture first. I check my radiator every few months and rarely have to add anything at all. Once it reaches the level just below the overflow pipe, very little fluid should run out. Sounds like your car may be running hot. Check it with a hand-held non-contact thermometer.

Tom
t lange

See http://www.ttalk.info/Tech/Overflow_tank.html for what I did. Bud
Bud Krueger (TD10855)

Coolant level should be 1 3/4 " below the top of the tank, when it is cold.This will add enough expansion room for the coolant when it is hot.
Best advise is to add a pressurized cap to the system on the overflow pipe. I can supply the parts needed.
A pressurized system will help prevent head gasket problems, & increase the boiling point of the coolant.
Len Fanelli

Edward:

We run an MGB catch tank mounted where the TD's original fuel pump went. We use a 4-pound pressurized cap. AT 75 MPH, we're running at 80ºC coolant temp on a 70ºF day, 90ºC in slow but steady urban traffic. We relocated the fuel pump to the pick-up on the gas tank. In order to gain a few horsepower and gain a bit of cooling efficiency, we're also running an electric radiator fan.

It all works very well; here's a picture of the setup. The extra red hose leads to the heater.

Dave


Dave Jorgensen

Simplest way to prevent radiator overflow due to overheating: drive your MG in Maine or Canada only!

Simplest way to retain and recycle overflow for the rest of us:

Parts required:
1 used plastic quart container from your last oil change (rectangular base)with plastic cap
1 8" length of 1/4" copper tubing (straight) for pickup tube (cut pickup end on a 45 degree angle so pickup will not clog)
1 4' length (approx.) of vinyl tubing to connect from radiator overflow to copper pickup tube

Procedure:
1. Drill 1/4" hole in quart container's cap.
2. Replace cap on quart container.
3. Insert copper tube through the hole so that slant-cut end goes to it's bottom and other end protrudes from top. Make sure that it is held snugly in place so that bottom end will always be below level of any coolant.
4. Make another small hole someplace on the cap to permit air to escape when coolant surges in.
5. Use vinyl tubing to connect from top of copper tube to radiator overflow on your trusty TD.
6. Place quart container in the spot reserved for it under the bonnet, on the frame, fore of bulkhead.
7. You are done!

Theory:
When temperature rises and coolant expands, coolant will shoot out radiator overflow into your quart container. When temperature cools and coolant in radiator contracts, vacuum created will entice that coolant back up the tubing and into the radiator where it belongs.

Safety Fast!

Mark Sherman
mrkshmrn at hotmail.com
Mark A. Sherman

Thanks all....Lots of good info here...
Since I haven't ever run a non-pressurized system before, it's all new, for me....
I think I will be trying the least difficult method first.
Tom
I do not believe my problem stems from a mechanical failure, just my ignorance about how high to fill the system...My coolant temp. tends to run about 80-85, when fully warmed up.
That being said, I would like to make sure that I'm not dumping coolant , and especially now that I've added Water Wetter , which makes it expensive coolant.
With the recent really hot Spring temperatures, it is apparent that I will have to do something to insure a cooling system that is optimum.
Edward
E.B. Wesson

This thread was discussed between 08/06/2011 and 09/06/2011

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