Hey gang,

I just replaced the coolant expansion tank. The new (used) one is just as bad as the old one, so waste of money... I also lost TONS of coolant from the new tank - like half a gallon if not more.

As I was trying to determine where all that coolant went (luckily the car never overheated), I could see that all the hoses were fitted on properly and had their clamps on. But, at the bottom of the thank there is a plastic piece that sticks out, and that is supposed to fit into the rubber sealed part on the car. I just pushed it in there. But there is nothing that would guarantee a seal once the system is pressurized. That makes no sense to me.

Am I getting that right - the part on the bottom of the expansion tank is just supposed to sit in its place, nothing really holding it in there? How come it does not leak under pressure then?

The picture is attached so you can see what I am talking about.

 

what year ?? is it a LS?

 

Sorry forgot to mention:

1990 LS400

Should be the same on all first gen LS400s... perhaps even on the 2nd gen too?

 

Just looking at it, it appears to be a locator tab for installation.

 

That's what I thought, but it appears to be hollow. however I was working in dark (it was late night) and I had only a flashlight, so maybe it really is just a tab.


Anyone know for sure?

 

That is what sticks in a grommet and keeps the tank in position, so it won't move around. And since its cast into the tank it should not leak.