I've replaced three plastic tanks since 2006 when I bought the van.  I
believe it came with the original.  Two leaked from cracking (multiple
spider cracking) and the third to make room for the aluminum tank - it
still seemed good.  I'll try again with the aluminum.

Bruce

On Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 9:54 AM Steve Williams <sbw@sbw.org> wrote:

> On 7/21/2021 4:54 AM, Bruce Todd wrote:
> > Back in March I had a number of hoses replaced on the cooling system
> which
> > included having the plastic coolant tank changed over to a GW aluminum
> > tank ...
> >
> > Anyone else out there have some issues with these tanks  too?
>
> Ouch!  Sorry to hear that, but I encourage you to try again.  Mine is
> working well.
>
> Van Cafe in Santa Cruz installed the aluminum tank in my '84 Westy in
> November, 2016, at 183,400 miles, after the water pump seized climbing
> Highway 17.  The plastic tank wasn't involved in the failure, but it was
> starting to look worn.  We also installed a new thermostat housing and
> 80-degree thermostat at that time.
>
> Since then I've driven around 21K miles, including some very challenging
> high and hot climbs, and I haven't had a problem with the cooling system
> or seen any drips.
>