expansion tank - do I need one?

[bug-er]

Hi
I have an AAZ in a T25 panel, bleed the system, took it for a drive, van got quite hot (over halfway) and spat water out the header tank overflow, I did stop the engine at one point and it was difficult to start like an Aircooled lump is when it gets too hot. I dont have an expansion tank behind the number plate should I? Its a 1982 1.6D, I have drained all the coolant, flushed the system, got a new tank cap and thermostat hpefully this will solve it. Picture of my engine bay below



Also, the pipe on the bottom of the pump by the thermostat should this go to the top or the bottom of the radiator? I presume its the top so cold water at the bottom of the rad returns to the engine?

thanks

[Aidan]

If you don't have an expansion tank then cooling system will wee on the engine everytime it gets hot untill it's level is a bit low and airlocked and won't have anywhere to fill itself up from when it gets cold hence low level and airlocks

[bug-er]

Ok thanks, I have been having problems with it weeing on the engine, I will have to try and source an expansion tank that I can fit to the van. The van didn't come with one and its only after looking in haynes manual and at guides on bleeding the system that I realised. So now Im on the look out for an expansion tank.

[metalmick8y]

as Aiden says , but even if you buy and fit a tank to fit at the back of no plate all that will do at present is collect the spill, it wont then top back up on cooling as the tank in your picky might have a conventional cap , ie one way. you need nice new shiny brickyard dalek cap which feeds to the top up tank and vice versa.
mike

[jamesc76]

thats the other version of the darlek cap

[metalmick8y]

It is james ,ta but i just took one of a motor being broken a couple of weeks ago and it had a 13lb cap on it which was one way so just assumed this was simillar
M