Coolant Flush and Coolant Recovery tank questions

[aszaheer]

Hi guys, my car overheated a few weeks ago and when I opened the radiator cap it was completely dry. A few problems I've been facing since are:

1. I have to keep topping up coolant in the radiator after a few days.
2. The radiator doesn't seem to be pulling any coolant from the recovery tank. It even overflows sometimes.
3. I can press and flex the radiator hose even after the engine has been running a while. It is not hard to the touch.

I haven't noticed any coolant leak anywhere and my car hasn't overheated since that once. I have bled the radiator but the symptoms still persist. I think the radiator cap needs to be changed which I will do before I flush the cooling system. Ok so now my questions:

1. Do you think the symptoms point to a faulty radiator cap?
2. Will the recovery tank be drained after I change the cap and drain and flush the cooling system? Or do any extra steps have to be taken to empty it?

I'm sorry if this has been answered before but I couldn't find much on draining the recovery tank after a couple days of research

 

[pbax]

Try removing the hose that goes from the overflow bottle to the engine. It could well be blocked, try to force water through it and squeeze it etc.
Pull the air filter box out makes it alot easier.
I had the same symptoms apart from the overheating and the blocked hose to the overflow bottle was the cause.

 

[mpower]

it sounds like a manifold or head leak.

head gasket is quick check the oil.

 

[Benboy]

A Radiator Specialist can pressure test your cooling system and identify likely problems. Good luck.

 

[corhijasna]

had a similar problem a while ago,pressure test is probably the best thing to do first,you could try a new cap as they need to have pressure in the system to suck coolant back in as required,as others have said could also be the inlet manifold gasket to,try the cap,fill with water,if its still using water etc then maybe get a pressure test done if you are trying to save some money,a good radiator shop won't charge you for the test I have found,if the cap is the problem then drain and flush your sytem then use good quality coolant as per your specs for your vehicle\hope this helps

 

[aszaheer]

Thanks for all the answers guys! yeah I started putting water in it since it would almost always be empty every time i checked. just one thing I need to get cleared up, does the loss of coolant mean that there is a definite leak in the system or can a faulty radiator cap also cause that? I will go for a pressure test over the weekend and hopefully it won't be anything too major. I have attached a picture of my coolant cap too which I will be changing first thing.
Also I just had my oil changed a couple of days ago and didn't notice any mixing with coolant or vice versa. However, I do have an oil leak on the engine. not sure if that has anything to do with it

 

[99notout]

Cap is buggered, and the coolant as it expands will just be flowing into the overflow bottle and will not return as there is no airtight seal. Replace the cap.

 

[aszaheer]

Cap is buggered, and the coolant as it expands will just be flowing into the overflow bottle and will not return as there is no airtight seal. Replace the cap.

Thanks man! that makes a lot of sense. Do i have to do anything to get rid of all the old coolant in the overflow bottle? or will it all be sucked in and emptied during the flushing process?

 

[corhijasna]

cap is definitely buggered,you will need to drain the coolant etc out of the reservoir,go to the how to section on this site and there should be something on there-hope this helps

 

[aszaheer]

cap is definitely buggered,you will need to drain the coolant etc out of the reservoir,go to the how to section on this site and there should be something on there-hope this helps

Thanks! I was just a bit confused as to how it is going to drain during the flushing process. anyways I took it off and rinsed it clean, thanks for the help