overflowing expansion tank..why??

[leo's dad]

Ok top surfers I need your help again
a week or so ago, when I stopped I noticed that there was bubbling in the expansion tank. I've had a look and couldn't find any leaks, it didn't appear to be losing any water, so I've just kept an eye on it..until tonight when I stopped to pick up the kids and noticed the expansion tank p/ssing water all over the nursery car park. Got the boys (3+1) in the motor and took out the thermostat to get me home (to a chorus of "I need a poo, WAH, WAH Wah etc" and tutting from rich mummy and daddies with X5 s and the like)
So guys, whats going on???? when my 4Runner cracked a head it lost water and smoked/steamed. I.ve done a body lift a couple of months ago and had to move the rad. Also just before that the water pipes to the rear heater rusted through, so I disconected them and coupled the feed and return together at the block with a short hose. (no heater in the back but the kids are hardy enough).
What are my jobs for the weekend???
thanks

[BUSHWHACKER]

You could possibly need a new rad cap as the one fitted isn't holding the pressure.

[charvell]

Try burping the system,and get the head pressure tested.

[leo's dad]

gave it a new cap and thermostat a few months back, will look for threads on "burping"
cheers but keep the ideas coming...

[TonyN]

Its a 2.4, its got a cracked head.......



When the heads crack the compression pressurises the cooling system, this lifts the rad cap and dumps water into the expansion tank. When the expansion tank is full up it overflows, once you've lost enough water it overheats.

A weak cap or any other other thing that will cause an overheat will do it, but 9 times out of 10 in a 2.4 the head is toast if its a original one.

[leo's dad]

donkey cocks!!!!! not again!!!!! my 4runner did this to me and stung me for the best part of a grand. Now this one...I did pay £250 for her but I've just fitted a lift kit, new cv joint, uprated springs, an alternator, 16 inch wheels and 4 machos. now she's beyond ecconomic repair sniff sniff, suppose I'll just have to keep her topped up with water and carry plenty spare untill the mot is up then break her for spares (if she lasts that long).....surfs and 4runners...NEVER AGAIN!!! (well...maybe, if the price was right.....and the head had been done!!!)

[TonyN]

donkey cocks!!!!! not again!!!!! my 4runner did this to me and stung me for the best part of a grand. Now this one...I did pay £250 for her but I've just fitted a lift kit, new cv joint, uprated springs, an alternator, 16 inch wheels and 4 machos. now she's beyond ecconomic repair sniff sniff, suppose I'll just have to keep her topped up with water and carry plenty spare untill the mot is up then break her for spares (if she lasts that long).....surfs and 4runners...NEVER AGAIN!!! (well...maybe, if the price was right.....and the head had been done!!!)

Once its done it done, and you didn't pay much for it!!! Maybe you know why now......

It might be the cap or stat or airlock, chin up!

[leo's dad]

cheers, stat now out and I'll swap the cap, my wife has also confessed to filling up the expansion tank instead of the windscreen washer bottle....it's a slim chance but.....

[nishikigoi]

my wife has also confessed to filling up the expansion tank instead of the windscreen washer bottle....it's a slim chance but.....

At least she did not top up the oil with washer fluid

I've just bailed on the green oval (Disco) and got a surf, 80,000m going to do the belt and flush fluids etc.......Then cross fingers!

[leo's dad]

all the best with the new surf, but it looks like head is inevitable ( not that type you filthy boy) 4runner went at 100k miles, now my surf at 80k miles..
anyone want to buy mine cheap?