Any recommended universal coolant reservoir tanks? (Page 1/4)
Patrick MAR 09, 07:56 PM
I currently have my Formula parked until I replace its coolant reservoir. I have about five spare used factory Fiero coolant reservoir tanks here... and they all appear to leak.

Yes, I'm fully aware that the Fiero Store sells a rather pricey reproduction for $39.95... but with shipping to Canada being an additional total ripoff price of $49.82... they can keep their precious repro part.

What universal coolant reservoir tanks have people used? I've looked over the archives, and there's been very little posted about this here over the decades.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 05-20-2023).]

Blacktree MAR 09, 08:45 PM
I had good experiences with a Moroso universal aluminum tank. But those are around $150 now.
Patrick MAR 09, 09:07 PM

quote
Originally posted by Blacktree:

But those are around $150 now.



I'm a Fiero owner. I'm not paying that much for a coolant tank.
sanderson231 MAR 10, 09:07 AM
Can you tour a junk yard and see what would fit? Then buy a new one for that car.

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formerly known as sanderson
1984 Quad 4
1886 SE 2.8L
1988 4.9L Cadillac
1988 3800 Supercharged

sleek fiero MAR 10, 10:36 AM
The Fiero Store replacement sounds pretty reasonable to me. I value my time and fuel to go and scrounge one that does not fit properly. It just seems like a lot of unnecessary time and effort.
theogre MAR 10, 11:05 AM

quote
Originally posted by sanderson231:
Can you tour a junk yard and see what would fit? Then buy a new one for that car.

That might be an option...
"They" make OF Tanks of all kinds of shapes and find whatever and get from a yard is often cheap.

But... Those may not hold as much coolant.
In Fiero, because 14+ quarts the coolant can "grows" more when hot then most front engines and w/ small tanks may not have space to handle Fiero heat cycle expansion and reserve capacity for minor leaks or weather cold and system sucks more coolant in to keep on air.

Yes, OF tanks has space above fill mark but this is so doesn't loose coolant like when engine is very hot like stuck in traffic, driving up/down hills, etc.
+ people forget the coolant gets Hotter when engine shut down adding to hot engine "problem" just said.

Is why Fiero tank is way bigger the most others but often is "over kill" for many owners.

Look at trucks and larger SUV too. Have more space in the engine bay and may have bigger OF tanks for similar reason as Fiero.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

Patrick MAR 10, 05:25 PM
In response to various points which have been brought up...

I started this thread in the hopes that I wouldn't have to re-invent the wheel Fiero coolant reservoir. I was hoping that someone, who has already gone through this, would stumble across this thread and post... "Just get a coolant reservoir from a 2012 Toyota Corolla"... or something along those lines. Maybe given enough time, that'll actually still happen. Either way, this thread should still end up being helpful to someone else down the road in the same situation.

The nearest wrecking yard that's now worthwhile going to from here is an hour away on the freeway. Sure, not an outrageous distance, but not a distance I wish to travel unless I know for sure that I'll be finding something I can use. I actually enjoy going to the wrecking yards and poking around... when it's warm and dry... not this time of year up here. Just out of curiosity I looked up what the "local" wrecking yard (Empire) charges for a coolant bottle, and it's about $11(US). Pretty reasonable!

A readily available new universal coolant reservoir tank is the Dorman 603-001.



I can currently buy one of these for $18(US), and that includes shipping. Its dimensions are 6"x4"x5" and its capacity is half a gallon. I don't know how that capacity compares to the stock Fiero reservoir. Anyone know off hand? If not, I'll measure the capacity later today.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-10-2023).]

cyrus88 MAR 10, 07:23 PM
I measured the stock overflow once, but I don't remember the exact capacity.

I do remember that between the ADD mark and top of the tank was about 14 cups (7 from ADD to FULL, and 7 more to the top). So at least .875 gal.

[This message has been edited by cyrus88 (edited 03-10-2023).]

theogre MAR 10, 09:01 PM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:
A readily available new universal coolant reservoir tank is the Dorman 603-001.



I can currently buy one of these for $18(US), and that includes shipping. Its dimensions are 6"x4"x5" and its capacity is half a gallon. I don't know how that capacity compares to the stock Fiero reservoir. Anyone know off hand? If not, I'll measure the capacity later today.

Total Volume of OE tank is near 1 US gallon. At Full When Hot you add appox 1/2 gallon from empty.

Because of tank shape, empty to add mark isn't linear and likely < a quart for this "zone."
If tank is @ add or below then radiator can suck on down side of heat cycling, more if has small coolant leak when system is hot.
System can leak coolant out under pressure but suck air at same leak after shut down.

Been rain today and likely tomorrow so can't get my spare to measure exactly.

Any generic tanks and many OEM units for other vehicle need vertical flat spot to mount. If dorman etc are tipped to side more then a few degrees then working volume will be reduce some to a lot.
Australian MAR 11, 03:49 AM
I bought a new one probably a decade ago from fiero shop. Havent installed it mine is just stained.