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MG MGA - Vented Coolant Recovery


In his CO-204, Barney lists suitable sealed 7psi radiator caps, none of which is available in UK.

Has anyone managed to buy a suitable cap to fit a standard MGA radiator in UK, please? Or even in Europe?

If so, where was it bought and who was the seller?

Any other solutions to avoid changing the rad filler assembly for a modern short reach filler?

Cheers

Dave
Bolney Coupe

Dave
As I understand it, most radiator caps now available are suitable for a coolant recovery system.
I bought the GRC101 from Mini Spares. Its the long reach cap that we need.
I also intend to install a simple unsealed coolant expansion/recovery system.I haven't yet got around to locate a suitable bottle and decided where to locate it, so would be interested to hear your plans.

Graham
Graham V

Graham -- I looked at Mini Spares web site. There is a picture of the top of the cap only. It does not say anything about a top seal or coolant recovery. Could you post a picture of the underside to verify a rubber top edge seal?
barneymg

Graham, There was a discussion some years ago about recovery tanks. I installed one (similar to Andy's) and it works a treat with the long reach 7psi cap. Certainly saves having to check the radiator level.

I can't get to post a link, but search Archive for .....coolant overflow tank

They are a hot rod item and readily available on eBay.
I B Morris

Graham

Thanks for the link to GRC101. I will follow up.

I used a drinking bottle from Lakeland and made brackets to mount it on the LHS of the rad.

It seemed rather trivial to do a write-up for Barney but if you text your email address to 07504901022 I will send you some pictures.

Cheers

Dave
Bolney Coupe

Barney
Picture attached
IB.
Thanks, I have had a good read of the archives, just hunting down a suitable bottle. I don't want to put it in front of the rad, and am thinking of locating it out of the way, up near the windscreen washer bottle, or maybe not!
Dave
Thanks, I will text

Graham


Graham V

Graham, -- Hard to tell from that picture, but does it have a metal diaphragm for the top seal, or maybe a loose rubber washer?
barneymg

Barney
Sorry, is this one better? It has two rubber seals, a small one at the bottom and a larger one. at the top.
Graham


Graham V

Graham
could you give the link to Mini Spares please.
I've searched for the rad cap GRC101 but cannot find it.
Cheers
David
D C Grahame

Thanks to Graham V -- The Mini Spares GRC101 part appears to be identical to the NTG B350A part. I will add it to the list of available coolant recovery caps.
barneymg

David

It's the long reach cap on the left.

Graham

http://www.minispares.com/search/classic/Grc101.aspx
Graham V

Graham
Many thanks for that.
Now why couldn't I find that ?
Doooh!
David

D C Grahame

Hi Graham
I'm getting into this coolant recovery business.
Did you find a decent proper looking bottle to mount next to the washer bottle.
I wanted to find one with a "bottom input ."
David
ps New cap already received.
D C Grahame

Hi David
Yes me too, also on the look out for one that will sit up there on the shelf. And as you say, if it has a bottom input, that would make life easy.
I did see this one that might suit, what do you think?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PCF000012-Land-Rover-Freelander-Coolant-Expansion-Bottle-Tank-with-Pressure-Cap/371321224986?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649though

Cant see the dimensions but looks like it will fit

Graham
Graham V

David
You got me looking! I have just bought one of these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radiator-Coolant-Heater-Overflow-Expansion-Tank-Bottle-Spare-Topran-103986755-/291970821170

I reckon for £6 incl P&P I cant really go wrong!

Graham
Graham V

I presume my coolant recovery system is a closed system as I used a MGB tank and had a 1/4 copper tube like that is used in a ice maker. At the neck of the radiator a connection was welded with a connector that would screw and unscrew for the removal of the radiator The radiator had flat bypass cap without any pressure spring on it. The coolant recovery tank had a stock pressure cap for a 7 pound cap. The tank is buried high up in the engine compartment behind the air hose and the copper pipe follows the drip well on the body around the engine bonnet.. I have extra storage of water and am able to run hotter longer without boiling over.
JEFF BECKER

I'm confused (nothing new).
1/. As the engine warms up it will expand the coolant which will be pushed out and in original fit onto the road.
2/. As the engine cooled down the lost water MUST be replaced with air or the radiator will be running in vacuum and will probably collapse. So the original radiator cap is good for its job and does not need replacing?
3/. So If we place an open bottle at the end of the overflow pipe and ensure that the pipe end is under coolant the displaced coolant will flow into the open bottle and then be sucked back into the radiator as it cools.
I would replace the original overflow pipe with some thing capable of withstanding a vacuum but apart from that we do seem to be trying to hard?
David k Brenchley

David

It's back to the beginning and all very well explained in Barney's CO-204. The standard rad cap does not make a vacuum seal with the top of the rad filler nozzle, hence the need for a soft seal inside the cap to withstand vacuum.

Cheers

Dave


Bolney Coupe

The reason I want to fit is, with the offset neck on my radiator, I cannot tell how much fluid is in the rad, and in particular, I can't tell whether any is leaking.
I am hoping with an expansion tank, that will become obvious.
Graham
Graham V

CLICK and light comes on, scuttles off to buy cycle drinking bottle and clip.
David k Brenchley

This thread was discussed between 31/07/2017 and 14/08/2017

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