radiator surge tank

**David Ray** · 08-17-2009, 07:54 AM

I put in a new radiator a couple weeks ago and now everytime I check the fluid level it's low. I found out that it's all going into the surge tank...the thing is filled to the top and it's spilling out into the engine bay. I don't know how to stop it. Any ideas?

**pajeff02** · 08-17-2009, 08:26 AM

Sounds like your radiator cap may have taken a dump. The cap should allow fluid to escape into the overflow only above a certain pressure. Only other option is that you have excess pressure in your cooling system -- possibly a blown head gasket. One is an easy fix... the other is not.

**David Ray** · 08-17-2009, 08:33 AM

I'm thinking it's the cap. I don't have any coolant in my oil and I haven't let it run hot. The caps the one off of the old radiator. I'm going to replace it and see if that helps. Is there a drain somewhere on the surge tank?

**pajeff02** · 08-17-2009, 08:41 AM

It is easy to remove, just a few bolts and the battery. Unless you have a siphon you will need to dump it out. It is not a bad idea to rinse it out good every now and then anyway.