https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1f2z495Dpw
If there’s anyone out there you’d want to ask about cooling system components to, it’d be Lisa Chissus. She’s not only the President of Flex-a-Lite, she’s also the granddaughter of Eddy Davis, the company’s founder. Lisa takes a few minutes to both explain, and demonstrate the differences between a cooling system expansion tank versus an overflow tank.
In basic terms, an expansion tank actually expands the amount of coolant in the system, how much you expand actually depends on the size of the tank you choose. An overflow tank is there to catch any extra fluid in the system that’s overflowing.
Flex-a-Lite has a new expansion/overflow tank that’s designed to work in both of these ways. It’s available in a 20-ounce, or 32-ounce capacity, and it’s a superior coolant management system. Once coolant enters the expansion tanks, the oxygen is separated from the fluid. It then runs down to the supplied Y-adapter and into the lower radiator hose. Coolant is able to continuously pass through the expansion tank as it cycles through the engine and radiator.
With the new Flex-a-Lite expansion tank, you can even verify that there’s coolant in the system since the hose that comes with the kit is clear, and rated for up to 250ºF. This allows you to check the system without having to take off the radiator cap, in doing so allowing air in. This tank isn’t just about allowing a higher amount of fluid in the system, it also helps to contribute to better cooling.
The tank mounts using the Flex-a-Lite patented finned sidetank extrusion so you can slide it up while leaving it connected. You can use this mounting system to create a high point for the cooling system that purges all of the air out. So there’s a few extra functions that an expansion tank has, in addition to just holding more coolant for the system. You can check out their expansion tank system here.
Elizabeth is a hardcore horsepower enthusiast with unmatched intensity for making things faster and louder. She wakes up for power and performance and only sleeps to charge up for the next project that’s heading to the track. From autocross to drag racing, Elizabeth is there with you, so stay tuned for her unique perspective on horsepower news, builds, tech info, and installs — with her, it’ll never be boring!
