Leaking Radiator Overflow Bottle

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: Beatty1950  (Original Message)
Sent: 8/3/2004 7:34 PM

Hello.

I am once again going thru my check list of things to fix on my 75 D19 Classic Winnebago (Miss Tank).

One of the items I would like to get done before the NW Classic Winnebago Jam on Friday the 13th of August, is to repair or replace my leaking Radiator Overflow bottle.  JC Whitney website has a 2.5 Quart Bottle with hardware for $9.99 plus shipping.  But my original radiator overflow bottle fits so nice that I would like any suggestions as to how to repair it.  It has a long crack from the top to the bottom.

Thanks for the help.

Happy WinnebaGOING to all.

Dave Beatty
beattyd@yahoo.com



From: Beatty1950
Sent: 8/4/2004 9:41 AM

Problem solved.  The old radiator overflow bottle was nearly 30 year old and was so brittle that it broke when I tried to put the top back on.  So I picked up a new 2.5 qt universal radiator overflow bottle from the auto parts store and installed it.  So another check mark on my to do list ...

Dave Beatty



From: mightybooboo
Sent: 8/4/2004 3:48 PM

Oops,to  late BUT.....
Take your old 1 gallon antifreeze bottle,cut a hole in the cap to fit rad. overflow tubing,run the tubing to the bottom of container,add a little water,viola,a one gallon overflow bottle.Make sure it will vent slightly at the top of bottle.On my winnie it just tucks away nicely up front.
BooBoo



From: denison
Sent: 8/4/2004 4:20 PM

I noticed at the junkyard that the rad. overflow bottles on a 74 Chieftain and a mid 70s Coachman both had splits down the front side of the narrow shaped bottle. They sure dont make things to last anymore.



From: Beatty1950
Sent: 8/4/2004 7:01 PM

Thanks for the input...  Funny that you should mention it BOO BOO, as I walked into Schucks Part Supply yesterday, I noticed the Antifreeze in the Window and thought about just using your approach but.... nothing too good for MISS TANK.  So I laid out the $14.00 ... 

I hated to rip out the old Radiator Overflow Bottle but it was too brittle.  If I was trying to keep the old girl 100% original, I guess I could use old one as a mould .... 

NAH ...  Just a set of wheels with a toilet in the back ... 
NAH ...  It is a CLASSIC WINNEBAGO.

Happy WinnebaGOING to all ..

Dave Beatty
beattyd@yahoo.com



From: scorpionbmw99
Sent: 8/3/2005 6:49 PM

I've got the wreckage of a white plastic bracket in front of the radiator on the drivers side.

Is that what's left of my overflow bottle?
Is that where is goes?



From: bboat101
Sent: 8/3/2005 9:16 PM

That should be your washer bottle.  All the older ones are cracked. If you can find winnie in the junkyard, pull the washer bottle for the rear window washer. It is not exposed to the elements like the front one.



From: cooneytunes
Sent: 8/3/2005 10:29 PM

bbloats right... that was the bracket to the winsheild washer bottle......your radiator overflow bottle (which may be missing too) it too is subjected to extreame heat and elements and the older plastics just don't hold up to todays plastics, they get very brittle after years, your overflow bottle will be on the passenger side...you should see it looking into the right wheel well. If the bracket is still there..remove it and any type of plastic bottle (from a larger vehicle will work as long as you connect the rubber hoses..... you should repace both 1/4 inch rubber hose anyway....they too get dry rotted and will leak after a while...

Timmy



From: ClydesdaleKevin
Sent: 8/10/2005 10:55 PM

Our 72 Futura (Dodge RM375 w/413 engine) had the same brittle overflow bottle.  In fact, it was in peices when we bought it.

We went to Napa and bought a universal deal, and it works great.  Just one note though, as Tom pointed out to me at the NECWJ...On our 413 radiators, there are TWO radiator caps.  On mine, both caps have overflow hoses.  Also, both caps are rated at 7psi.  That means that you have to do one of two things...either you have to get TWO overflow bottles, and keep them both topped off, or more intelligently, block off the hose on the BACK radiator cap.  If you don't, then when the radiator would normally overflow into the bottle, some of the radiator fluid will come out the back cap hose and spill on the ground.  Also, if you don't block the back hose, when the radiator would normally draw fluid back in from the overflow bottle, it will just be sucking air in through the back hose. 

So, either get two overflow bottles and keep them at the same mounted level and keep them both topped off, or more simply, block off the back hose.  It works!

Kev



From: W0X0F
Sent: 8/11/2005 9:00 PM

Why not put a tee in the line and then attach the line to both overflow fittings?



From: daved27c
Sent: 8/11/2005 10:03 PM

Well;

You guys always seen to add to my to do list. I just checked and I have the same set up as Kev. I have always thought that I might be low on coolant, but it has never used any out of the overflow bottle. Looking at the set up it probably wouldn't, it would just dump it in the ground when it got hot. Herb's idea about adding a tee in the line seens to be a good idea. Comments? Could I just put the overflow hose from the rear cap into the bottle??? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Dave



From: biggrock1
Sent: 8/13/2005 3:04 PM

I put a silicone on mine called RV goop and because it is not pressurized it works just fine.

Howie



From: ClydesdaleKevin
Sent: 8/14/2005 4:18 PM

You guys are great!!!  I never even thought of a T-fitting!  I'm adding that to my list!

Kev



From: ClydesdaleKevin
Sent: 8/18/2005 2:41 AM

LMAO!!!  Not an act of God...just an extreme act of patience on my part...lmao.  I'll have to once AGAIN loosen all the bolts on my radiator to swing it forward so I can get to the upper radiator cap and overflow hose inorder to put in clamps and a new T fitting...lol

I admit you have a better radiator design and a MUCH better grill and airflow...however, my doghouse IS a doghouse, I have more room to reach stuff in my engine than the winnies...and my plumbing was more intelligently designed to allow my 2-valve setup...lol.

Kev