Zilla Coolant Redux

As I noted a while back, while I was pleased with the general concept and execution of the Nalgene water bottle as coolant reservoir, it had sprung a significant leak shortly after installation. Soon therafter the leaking increased heavily, draining approximately 1L of coolant in just a few hours. After inspection it quickly became clear that the bottle itself was destroyed- the mechanical forces on it from the bung in the bottom and the clamping forces from the mounting clamps were too much for the tough but brittle polycarbonate bottle.

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I decided to redo a similar setup, but change a few elements based on this experience…

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I picked up a new bottle, one of the soft, more flexible white plastic style ones. I mounted it with a foam tape layer under the mounting clamps. I reinstalled the hose barb in the bottom using aquarium RTV silicone, and placed the bung with the bottle and pump in place to mimimize stressing the fitting. This bottle is slightly less tall than the old one also, so the tubing connecting it to the pump is longer and more flexible. I also elected to use a thinner wall tubing. I reinstalled everything and it looks promising. I hope it will just work.

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As a side note- I was finally able to acquire the video taken three weeks ago when I did the final hook up and test drive in the car- I will be editing it shortly. I am working on loose ends, as well as the charging system. I am also trying to figure out exactly how I’m going to register it, I would like to have it be driveable as soon as possible!!

Posted on June 8, 2009 at 10:29 pm by Henry · Permalink
In: EV Miata

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  1. Written by AcuteAero » An (almost) Year at AcuteAero
    on February 17, 2010 at 1:31 am
    Reply ·