Coolant Tank Removal Q's

I will be changing my cracked tank in the next few days. I have read all the DIY's and threads. I have a quick question. There is a cylinder shaped thing on the right side of the tank quite deep inside the engine bay. (i will try to post a picture) What is this and does it need to be removed ? If so how do i remove it ? Can the tank come out with it in place ? None of the DIY's mention this or show it on the photo's, but it looks to be in the way. (i have a 2001 C4 Cab if that helps) Any special tools needed for this job (metric sockets, wrenches and allen keys ??). Do i need a special tool for compressing the hose clamps ? ANy other advice ? From the DIY i guess i do the following: Remove the Air Filter (single bolt ??) Remove the Air Pump (2 bolts and one nut) Remove 2 fuel lines (do i need to do anything special here ? Blead something afterwards ?) Drain the coolant from the one drain plug at the engine bottom Remove 3 hoses and 1 sensor from the coolant tank Carefully pull the tank out Thanks

Some one here referred me to Loren's site for a very complete write up for the tank R&R..... In the meantime the car had to go in the shop and have the tranny replaced, so while the engine was out, I had them do the tank too. I did read through the write up though and I believe it is well done. check it out.

Have you tried renntech.org ??? This has been discussed at length over there. For example..... http://www.renntech.org/forums/index...expansion+tank

Yup, I got that one printed out... none of the pictures or descriptions mention this "cylinder"... looks like a fuel filter The DIY is for a 99 and i have an 01 ?

one in the same.

just take out the fuel filter. sometimes the tanks come right out other times you have to not play nice with them no rhyme or reason

The cylinder is the fuel filter (on a C4). You just loosen the clamps and reinstall on the new tank.

One other thing, unscrew the gas cap before loosening the fuel lines to depressurize the fuel system; less fuel will spill.

Pazzo, So you dont remove the filter ? Just loosen the clamps and leave in place ? Thanks

You might as well remove it while it is in the engine compartment, since you are going to have to move the clamp and filter to the new coolant tank. It'll make removing the tank easier and you have to move it to the new one anyway. A few other thoughts: 1. Remove the coolant level sensor from the bottom of the tank before you try to remove the tank (just rotate it 90 degrees-can't remember which direction). That will give you a little more maneuvering room and also you don't want to break it. 2. Rotate the tank counterclockwise as you lift the end up and out (you'll want to do the same in reverse to get the new tank in). 3. Put the hose clamp for the filter on the new tank before you put it in the car. 4. Lube the top of the new tank with some of the coolant to make it easier to slide it into the bracket. Good luck.

So i got this done in a little under 2 hrs this weekend. Sore knees and skinned knuckles, but its done ! Dell was right, small crack (one of many that were beginning) on the back far side of the tank. Crusty coolant around the crack area. I added notes on the Renntech site for the differrences between the 2001 and the 99 installs. They have different tank sizes and part numbers. So for $76 for the tank, and $10 for a 19mm wrench im going strong again .

Glad to hear it turned out good for you. But, the tank only cost you $76? That's is WAY cheap compared to what others have posted paying for it. Did you buy it through a dealer?

Sunset in Oregon.. link on Renntech. The early ones are $220 i think, and the 2001 and on ones are only $76... lucky again i guess. Better than the $850 someone got quoted from Carlsen locally :-) Its amazing how these things crack. Only 17000 miles and 6 years old but there must have been 5-6 seperate areas where you could see faint crack, and one where two cracks joined in a V at the fold in the plastic... rev001 came out and rev003 went in so they are still working on perfecting this i guess