Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: Terbs on 02 August 2013, 20:03:16

Title: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: Terbs on 02 August 2013, 20:03:16
Hi all...
Had the coolant level warning up a few times on the 2.6. Giving the float a good waggle with the pinkie usually cures for a while, sometimes months. But as it has happened a few times recently, I am going to take it off and clean it. Its a bit sludgy inside.
What is the best product to clean it with, that will not muck up anything sensitive inside. Would Jet Washing be a bit fierce ?

TIA :y
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: RobG on 02 August 2013, 20:06:45
Hi all...
Had the coolant level warning up a few times on the 2.6. Giving the float a good waggle with the pinkie usually cures for a while, sometimes months. But as it has happened a few times recently, I am going to take it off and clean it. Its a bit sludgy inside.
What is the best product to clean it with, that will not muck up anything sensitive inside. Would Jet Washing be a bit fierce ?

TIA :y
40 pound coins and it`ll look brand new ;)
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: Andy B on 02 August 2013, 20:08:18
Hi all...
Had the coolant level warning up a few times on the 2.6. Giving the float a good waggle with the pinkie usually cures for a while, sometimes months. But as it has happened a few times recently, I am going to take it off and clean it. Its a bit sludgy inside.
What is the best product to clean it with, that will not muck up anything sensitive inside. Would Jet Washing be a bit fierce ?

TIA :y

I originally soaked mine in caustic (borrowed from work), it helped in the short term, but a nice shiny new header tank is around £40 and looks the mutts nuts too!  ;)  ;)  ;)


must type faster  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: zirk on 02 August 2013, 20:37:19
With it whipped off, overnight with bleech, then a spell in the dishwasher. :y
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: Andy B on 02 August 2013, 20:40:02
With it whipped off, overnight with bleech, then a spell in the dishwasher. :y

then fit a new one  ::)  ::)  ::)
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: RobG on 02 August 2013, 20:40:12
With it whipped off, overnight with bleech, then a spell in the dishwasher. :y
Calling Mr. Pedant (AKA Andy B) ;D ;D ;D :P
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: Andy B on 02 August 2013, 20:45:54
With it whipped off, overnight with bleech, then a spell in the dishwasher. :y
Calling Mr. Pedant (AKA Andy B) ;D ;D ;D :P

Al slapped my wrists before ......  :(  :(  ::)
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: PAULCDX on 02 August 2013, 20:54:49
Got a brand new one of AndyC a few weeks back for £41.99  :y
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: Terbs on 02 August 2013, 20:59:19
I appreciate you say 'only £40 for a new one', but....I have not got £40 to spend on an expansion tank. There are many other things here that take priority at the moment, and swmbo will draw the line at that. Have to use the 'gift of the gab' to keep my two Omega's now. :(

So....until better times....it will have to be cleaned :y
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: Broomies Mate on 02 August 2013, 20:59:44
There is no question that a new tank is the best option, but if the Missus is out for the evening, a good dose of Cillit Bang and a few trips through the DishyWashy does a good job.
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: zirk on 02 August 2013, 21:15:49
With it whipped off, overnight with bleech, then a spell in the dishwasher. :y
Calling Mr. Pedant (AKA Andy B) ;D ;D ;D :P

Al slapped my wrists before ......  :(  :(  ::)
Straight over my head  ???
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: Andy B on 02 August 2013, 21:36:43
With it whipped off, overnight with bleech, then a spell in the dishwasher. :y
Calling Mr. Pedant (AKA Andy B) ;D ;D ;D :P

Al slapped my wrists before ......  :(  :(  ::)
Straight over my head  ???

See other threads

Domestos makes bleach  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: iansoutham on 02 August 2013, 21:55:01
Another thing you can try (I have had this problem on mine) is to turn the level sensor on the bottom of the bottle a little towards the front of the car. I found that if I had mine in the "normal" position, or facing towards the rear of the car, I would get random warnings, even with a full bottle. Turned it slightly towards the front (about 30 degrees) and it works fine now.
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: TheBoy on 04 August 2013, 10:26:22
To remove the scale that forms, I have used about 20 pea sized stones, and a hint of bleach, block all the holes, and shake vigourously for about 30mins.  It still looks yellow at the end of it, but with none of the black scale marks at bottom.

The bottle is in 4 compartments, so getting the stones back out take a lot of patience.

However, nothing cures the float issue permenently.
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: omega3000 on 04 August 2013, 12:29:51
I put every chemical known to man in mine and left it for a week  :o  , still didnt clean it much  :(
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: TheBoy on 04 August 2013, 12:31:59
I should add that the shingle method is not mine. It was shown to me be Omegatoy :y
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: PAULCDX on 04 August 2013, 12:33:26
Well I was going to replace my header tank due to a faulty sensor but I've had a mess about with the float and touch wood, the check warning hasn't come on since  ;)

I may have a brand new one for sale if you are interested?  :y
Title: Re: Expansion tank cleaning
Post by: alexw80 on 04 August 2013, 17:16:52
I have heard of someone using a mixture of hot water (I'm assuming it's hot), either a dishwasher tab or a cheap own brand washing tab and some cat litter. Block the holes and shake like mad.

No idea how effective it is though.