Mishimoto's F-150 Aluminum Expansion Tank Thread
06-01-2017, 09:14 AM
#11
Our engineer is working on it right now actually, and my goal is to have a full update by the end of next week!
-Nick
07-05-2017, 11:03 AM
#13
I'm glad you asked! The first post on our Engineering Blog just went live on Monday!
I don't have to tell you guys that the cooling system in your F-150 works the best when the coolant stays in it. In fact, that's one of the main design requirements.
For the most part the twelfth-generation of the F-150 lives up to it's widely recognized "Built Ford Tough" moniker. The expansion tank, and more specifically the quick disconnect fall short of that standard.
While coolant loss issues can be an annoyance for just about everyone, this problem is compounded for F-150 owners since many of you depend on your trucks for work, towing, and also can cost upwards of $700 at the dealership to repair. On top of that, this costly repair can be temporary for some.
This project is also unique since Ford molded the stock airbox directly to the expansion tank, which opens us up to a few different options while designing our new tank, all of which will be discussed in our next update!
I'll keep you guys posted on the design plans once they're finalized!
Thanks
-Nick
07-05-2017, 11:27 AM
#14
Love My Eco
So, this will replace the plastic stock radiator overflow tank, i take it?
07-05-2017, 11:46 AM
#15
07-07-2017, 11:39 AM
#16
Senior Member
Just a thought, extend the nipple coming off the tank, make a 90 with it so all someone would have to do is cut the quick connect off their factory line and slip it onto the nipple on the new tank.
The following 2 users liked this post by paintballdude05:
BlackKnight81 (12-21-2017),
toostroked (07-07-2017)
09-15-2017, 08:50 AM
#18
Similar tanks made for Mustangs are notorious for splitting at the weld seams.
They don't take the pressure well. It can be done, but it needs to be built strong.
Having the expansion tank under pressure makes them prone to failure, whether they are metal or plastic. It's too bad Ford didn't set it up with the old school style of cooling system where the expansion tank is not under pressure.
Kinda sucks you can't visually see the coolant level in a aluminum tank as well. Then again, it's hard to see it in an old plastic tank after it gets all yellowed.
They don't take the pressure well. It can be done, but it needs to be built strong.
Having the expansion tank under pressure makes them prone to failure, whether they are metal or plastic. It's too bad Ford didn't set it up with the old school style of cooling system where the expansion tank is not under pressure.
Kinda sucks you can't visually see the coolant level in a aluminum tank as well. Then again, it's hard to see it in an old plastic tank after it gets all yellowed.
09-18-2017, 01:57 PM
#20
Similar tanks made for Mustangs are notorious for splitting at the weld seams.
They don't take the pressure well. It can be done, but it needs to be built strong.
Having the expansion tank under pressure makes them prone to failure, whether they are metal or plastic. It's too bad Ford didn't set it up with the old school style of cooling system where the expansion tank is not under pressure.
Kinda sucks you can't visually see the coolant level in a aluminum tank as well. Then again, it's hard to see it in an old plastic tank after it gets all yellowed.
They don't take the pressure well. It can be done, but it needs to be built strong.
Having the expansion tank under pressure makes them prone to failure, whether they are metal or plastic. It's too bad Ford didn't set it up with the old school style of cooling system where the expansion tank is not under pressure.
Kinda sucks you can't visually see the coolant level in a aluminum tank as well. Then again, it's hard to see it in an old plastic tank after it gets all yellowed.
My name is Steve and I'll be taking over as the journalist for our truck segment while Nick works on our car segment projects. I don't have any updates right now, but this project is moving along so I hope to have some soon!
As for the worries about cracking or leaking, we pressure test all of our expansion tanks to replicate the pressures in the trucks cooling system as part of our QC process. We also run a production sample on our test vehicle for a length of time to make sure there are no defects that would cause leaks or cracking.
We're a bit too early in the project to be sure what features we'll definitely be including, but after speaking with the engineer, we are definitely trying to incorporate a means to easily check the coolant level, such as a sight tube
Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions!
-Steve