Folks, no matter what type of tank you use, if you are attempting to use it as a workaround for old hoses, leaky heads, a decrepit radiator, or dripping pipes, you’ll end up being disappointed. I thought that the stock Vanagon stuff was crap as I put up with blown this and blown that for a number of years. A complete upgrade of hoses and radiator and an upgrade to the latest hose layout did the trick (I drive a diesel these days but the principle is the same). I have not had a single thing go wrong with the cooling system nor added a drop of coolant in four years or so. 

Jim

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jul 24, 2021, at 12:39 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Mark,
> 
> In a earlier post Dennis mentioned that the GW tank has a visual way of seeing coolant level, not available in the VC version.  I think that is why he started using them.  Eric 
> 
> 
>> On Jul 24, 2021, at 10:26 AM, Mark McCulley <markmcculley@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>> 
>> Interesting discussion. Dennis, thanks for the info on why an aluminum tank
>> isn't just another piece of bling (albeit hidden in the engine compartment).
>> 
>> Is there any appreciable difference between the tank offered by vancafe and
>> the gowesty one? The vancafe tank is a bit more expensive. The gowesty tank
>> is on backorder now.
>> 
>> Regards,
>> Mark
>> 
>>> On Fri, Jul 23, 2021 at 3:15 PM Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> The aluminum coolant tanks were developed in response to the high failure
>>> rate of the original tank. These failures were a result of the design and
>>> materials used.  The cap itself is also a high failure item. The problem is
>>> worse now as the tanks available are of even poorer material. Adding to
>>> this tank failure can also caused by other system issues such as combustion
>>> gasses getting into the system or other failures including fan not
>>> functioning. In these events undiagnosed failures often result in ear
>>> immediate failure of the tank or cap. The metal based tanks are much more
>>> tolerant and so is the pressure cap. In addition the standard design cap
>>> used with these tanks besides being robust and tolerant are easily
>>> inspected and replaced. They also can release pressure and suck back more
>>> reliably, with more capacity and not get damaged by a steam blast. The
>>> standardized cap design also allows for easier attachment of pressure
>>> testers and even pressurized filling equipment.
>>> 
>>> The real consideration is reliability and saving an engine. For all the
>>> bad press the Waterboxer gets the reality is that while there are some
>>> weaknesses they really never wear out and most all failures are the result
>>> of some fluid system failure, coolant, oil, or fuel. While you may need to
>>> deal with outer head gaskets, a burned valve, or maybe even rings, if you
>>> never loose the coolant, oil pressure or lean-flood the cylinders Upgrading
>>> this tank with fuel you will never loose one of these engines. Upgrading
>>> this tank eliminates one more engine killer. I do acknowledge that these
>>> tanks are not perfect. The hose nipples don't quit fit the hose and clamp
>>> design, on one the coolant sensor is satisfied as long coolant is still
>>> spraying on it, and I don’t think they separate the dirt and debris out
>>> like the original. But getting the better cap and eliminating the sudden
>>> failure failures is worth the cost.
>>> 
>>> Dennis
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of gary
>>> hradek
>>> Sent: Friday, July 23, 2021 11:18 AM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>> Subject: Aluminum coolant tanks
>>> 
>>> If the plastic ones are still available why would anyone want the weight
>>> of an Aluminum coolant tanks at nearly 10x the cost?
>>>