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Coolant recovery tank/bladder

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 5:43 am
by muzza49
I know that this topic was discussed at length and is now archived - which I've looked at.
Can someone tell me where I can get a "bladder bag" or similar ?.
I am in Western Oz, but happy to pay to freight one ex the UK or States.
Also, did everyone come to a conclusion on the best pressure rad cap to go with an overflow recovery system ?.
I think I saw a comment re a Series 111, XJ6 rad fan working well - any comments please ?
Sorry to bring this up again, but the current 30+ deg F temps here are making me worried about cooking the motor !
Cheers, muzza49.

Re: Coolant recovery tank/bladder

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2018 11:06 pm
by Jose
in my S type, a Volvo 1800-E recovery bottle was used, it is a thin bottle with a cap and there being so little space in the engine bay, this bottle fits perfectly in the available space.

My radiator has a 7 lb cap, any higher and it will create a lot of pressure, not good.

my 1984 Series 3 XJ-6 has a pusher fan mounted over the lower right side of the radiator, it is controlled by a thermal switch mounted on the bottom left side of the radiator, and powered through a Relay. Automatic, it comes on at a certain temperature then it goes off.

but you can just wire it directly to a switch and relay and turn it on when needed.

The size of the fan makes it ideal for the S type, it is small and powerful. You'll just need to fabricate brackets for it.

Re: Coolant recovery tank/bladder

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 7:24 pm
by cass3958
This is the Bladder bag as it was named still for sale on E bay with the bracket which I fitted under the front wing.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UNIVERSAL-WI ... SwLsBZThcN
I am sure they would post to Australia for you. If you have any trouble PM me I will buy it for you and post it on. I have not had any problems with mine since fitting. I run a standard radiator cap which I think is 7lb. I used to loose a lot of water as steam even on a cool day but with the bladder bag in place as an expansion tank I rarely have to refill the radiator these days.
Jose keeps mentioning the extra fan but I do not see any need for it in the UK where the temps are low compared to where you are and in places like Arizona but before you start fitting an extra fan first give your water system and oil system a good flush. Clean out all the debri from both systems so they can work efficiently. If you don't I would liken it to putting a plaster on a childs cut hand but forgetting to take away the knife from his other hand. Find the reason why the system is over heating first and fix it then put an extra fan on to use when you get the stupidly hot days where you live.

Re: Coolant recovery tank/bladder

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 10:51 pm
by Jose
the earth is getting hotter Cass, that reminds me I need to get one of those fans for my S type.

Re: Coolant recovery tank/bladder

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 2:27 am
by muzza49
Thanks for the info Jose & Cass, will try the website for the bladder, and have fitted a 7lb cap (mine was 16 !).

Re: Coolant recovery tank/bladder

Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2018 10:59 pm
by Jose
yes, some people use a 12 lb. but 16 ?? 7 lb. should be fine.

I found a 1990's article which should clarify the question of Expansion and Recovery tanks.

I will post it next time.

Re: Coolant recovery tank/bladder

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 1:49 am
by muzza49
Great, thanks - I've ordered the kit and it's already at my bro in laws place in London. Fortunately I have a daughter in the UK returning home soon, so will get her to bring it with her.

Re: Coolant recovery tank/bladder

Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:28 pm
by Jose
yes, please note the XJ-6 fan I wrote about is not the Radiator or Water Pump fan, it is an auxiliary fan mounted in front of the radiator, also known as a "pusher" fan, it forces air through the radiator to help in cooling.