

| Subject: | Re: Aluminum coolant tanks |
| From: | Mark Belanger |
| Date: | Wed, 21 Jul 2021 10:15:34 -0700 |
Bruce is talking about an expansion tank, not the radiator. -MB On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 9:18 AM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote: > Since we talk about coolant tank... I wonder if we can replace the plastic > tank with a small motorcycle radiator similar to this one... > > https://www.revzilla.com/dirt-bike/moose-racing-radiator > > > > On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 9:10 AM Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote: > > > Dennis, > > > > Yes, the hand made tanks should all be pressure tested. It’s not the same > > as a big production line of injection molded tanks where one can pull > > statistically chosen samples and do QC/QA. > > > > There can be mistakes made when welding, and that’s why test. All the > > pressure vessels ive been involved with have all been filled with water > and > > pressurized , for a good time, hours. Any pressure drop or any sign of > > weeping…. > > > > I find aluminum welding much easier than steel or stainless. Big arc and > > puddle so my eyes can see it! And our shop has very good welding > machines. > > That’s a huge help. > > But if it comes to an important weld on one of my personal projects I get > > one of the real welders to do it for me. > > We trade machining jobs for welding jobs , or we use beer as currency . > > > > Back to the reservoirs. They are pressure vessels. They are a critical > > component. Failure can mean disaster. Every possible check should be made > > on them. > > > > About six years ago I welded up my own version. Even machined a fitting > > for stant cap. Was more of an exercise than anything else. I didn’t fit > it > > to my van. So I kinda have an idea of time to make one. They aren’t cheap > > to make. And you know how cost conscious vanagon owners are. > > > > I’ll say it again, just for annoying emphasis, it’s a frigging pressure > > vessel! Has to be tested! > > > > :-) > > > > Alistair > > > > > On Jul 21, 2021, at 8:09 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> > > wrote: > > > > > > Stuff from Dansk surprises me more when it is good. Test those front > > heater cores before installing. For the tanks keep in mind that these are > > hand made. I for one have not been that successful with aluminum welding > so > > I understand the challenge. However they should have a better > inspection-or > > test process. As a small shop I hate having to stock multiples of any > part > > due to failures on install. > > > > > > Dennis > > > > > > > > > From: Bruce Todd <beeceetee@gmail.com> > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 10:53 AM > > > To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>; vanagon < > > vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> > > > Subject: Re: Aluminum coolant tanks > > > > > > Maybe a bad batch? It is weird to have it happen twice. The other > > weird thing is during the coolant work back in March was that I replaced > > the two pipes that cross over the transmission - and they had a leak as > > well - they were from Dansk. Got some bad karma perhaps - or good in > that > > the leaks were apparent before heading off somewhere. > > > > > > Bruce > > > > > > On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 7:17 AM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com > > <mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>> wrote: > > > I've been using Van-Café tanks for years without issue. I started using > > the GoWesty tanks due to the sight glass, well for the level sensor and > > price. I have some in stock. I hope this is an isolated event and not a > > sign of things to come. Welding aluminum can be a challenge. > > > > > > Dennis > > > > > > > > >>> > > >> > > > -- ________________________________________________________________________ Mark Belanger - mbelanger@gmail.com
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