coolant recovery question
 

Okay... I think I'm missing something really obvious here, but I can't seem to find the answer, which means I'm probably not asking the right question.

In order to install a coolant recovery bottle in my truck, I know that I need to get a two way cap rated for ~14psi. The top of the bottle connects to the nipple just below the cap on the radiator. Where do I hook up the hose from the bottom of the bottle?

Does it go to the bottom of radiator side tank? Does it tee into the same line at the top? *confused*

Thanks!

Re: coolant recovery question
 

You only need a single outlet tank. If you use a lower only you really don't have to keep a minimum fluid level in it. If it only goes in and out through the top it must have a pickup extending to the bottom of the tank. Finally the radiator needs to be overfilled to actually work correctly vs the stock 2" down. Remember a catch can is just a puke tank to catch an overflow, while a recover system is also able to return fluid to the radiator under cooling vacuum after shutdown.

Re: coolant recovery question
 

THe hose from the bottom of the bottle hooks up to the nipple at the rad cap. The hose on the top of your bottle is for overflow. You need coolant in the bottle to make it a recovery system. You fill your rad to the top and when it warms up the coolant goes in the bottom of the tank. When your motor cools down the liquid is pulled back into the rad.
Some tanks have a cap on them with 2 hoses. One hose goes to the bottom and one is for overflow.

Re: coolant recovery question
 

I am wondering if badform has an aftermarket spun aluminum tank like the one I bought from LMC. It is about 1-1/2" diameter and about 18" tall. I was looking at it last night and noticed it has two nipples coming out of the bottom.
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Re: coolant recovery question
 

one nipple is the overflow

Re: coolant recovery question
 

I picked up a coolant bottle off of an early 90s Silverado the last time I went to the pick n' pull. It had two hoses attached. One on the cap, and one at the bottom. Since that bottle was mounted on the firewall and someone had already snagged the radiator, I couldn't see where the two hoses went to.

Re: coolant recovery question
 

FYI, I don't want a catch can. I want a recirculation setup. That way I can see at a glance if I'm low on coolant or visually inspect the coolant anytime to see if there's any problem.

Re: coolant recovery question
 

Full radiator-->Coolant leaves through nipple under Radiator Cap-->Hose goes from nipple to bottom of recovery tank-->If motor overheats and spills too much fluid, recovery tank over flows out the top and usually has hose leading down to ground bypassing your electrical components.

Any kind of tank will work even home made. Just a note. To work properly the radiator should be completely full as well as the hose from radiator to recovery tank and there should be a minimum amount of coolant in recovery tank.

I made one for a friend out of Large PVC pipe from home depot. The bottom was a sealed cap with a brass nipple for the hose. I put a long tube through the bottom (almost to the top inside). The tube was for extreme overflow. If home made tank over flowed, coolant would expel through tube and out bottom. Oh the top of the PVC made reservoir was capped with a removable plug. It also had two brass elbow fittings on side of tank with clear tube in between so he could see how full the reservoir got.

Re: coolant recovery question
 

Thanks! I've got a handle on it now.