Pipe - expansion tank to heater circuit return

[widdowson2008]

I do know that if the pipe was not there the coolant alarm sensor would not work in the position we now fit it.

Probably agree with that Haydn, but the query here is 'what does the small pipe actually do'? What's it for?

[haydn callow]

Well !! one thing it does do is allow coolant to flow "through" the ex tank......thus allowing it to be a degassing tank....perhaps that is all it is there for......

[widdowson2008]

Does it allow trapped air in the heater matrix's exit the system during bleeding...? & when running some sort of pressurized equilibrium in the header tank, so when cold on a relatively healthy system coolant levels can be checked more accurately??
Maybe i worded that wrong..! Just avin a crack at a guess..

Reckon you are right there. Sounds logical to me.

[widdowson2008]

Well !! one thing it does do is allow coolant to flow "through" the ex tank......thus allowing it to be a degassing tank....perhaps that is all it is there for......

That's a thought. Could the reason for the small diameter exit pipe be to DELIBERATLY slow down the flow through the tank to allow more time for the tank to de-gas?
We know that any air in the system HAS to go through the head, main radiator and expansion tank (because of flow direction), so to slow the flow at this position to allow air more time to escape makes total sense.

[jaylee]

One question... Why would the word "booster" be written on the front of the header tank...?

[widdowson2008]

One question... Why would the word "booster" be written on the front of the header tank...?

'Booster'? Where's that then?

[haydn callow]

not on any of the half dozen I have.....is it just a sticker ??

[jaylee]

One question... Why would the word "booster" be written on the front of the header tank...?

'Booster'? Where's that then?

After a massive service early last year... "booster" was written in black marker pen on my header..? Now i currently have a P reg metallic light greenaft 2.5 derv 4x4 on my drive.. on loan while a well known Bongo garage in my local takes care of the fuel pump seal leak... (I just couldn't be arsed after looking up the subject.) looking the P reg over... "booster" same place same handwriting!!

[widdowson2008]

Can't you ask the garage what 'booster' signifies? I'd be interested for one.
Perhaps it may mean that the coolant mix has been strenghened by topping up with antifreeze .
See if you can find out.

[missfixit70]

One question... Why would the word "booster" be written on the front of the header tank...?

'Booster'? Where's that then?

After a massive service early last year... "booster" was written in black marker pen on my header..? Now i currently have a P reg metallic light greenaft 2.5 derv 4x4 on my drive.. on loan while a well known Bongo garage in my local takes care of the fuel pump seal leak... (I just couldn't be arsed after looking up the subject.) looking the P reg over... "booster" same place same handwriting!!

Have they both got Mason alarm mod mebe?

[widdowson2008]

What's the connection between Mason alarm and Booster?

[missfixit70]

Just trying to think outside the box, certain garages have been known to s**t themselves when the temp gauge rises, not knowing theres a mason mod on the gauge, "booster" may be what they call it? written on the header so they know not to panic? Especially when sometimes the owners themselves don't know what they've got? Just a thought

[jaylee]

They just rang me.. My van is done. I will ask, then report back!

Can't you ask the garage what 'booster' signifies? I'd be interested for one.
Perhaps it may mean that the coolant mix has been strenghened by topping up with antifreeze .
See if you can find out.

Seriously... They got a good rep!

[jaylee]

No Mason on this P reg loaner Kirsty... But yer right though, they do freak at the Mason reading!

[jaylee]

OK, first off it was an R reg... This brief dalliance with this Younger fresh mint green hussy meant nothing... I still love my van!!

Back to the mystery of the "boost"..... (Which will probably start a debate all on its own.)

From what i gather, the antifreeze/coolant mixture they use (pink stuff) has an additive that gives it a higher boiling point (If that's possible?) so if it an over heating episode happened "it give you a bit more time to pull over".
I can kind of see a logic in this.. The un-modded gauge don't move until its too late & by that time its boiled & built up too much pressure??? ( I hope thas right?) Well... Unless a leak has occurred, & i guess its cooling on the tarmac.

"boost" just a bit more permanent than a post-it note!