The RMW tank sure looks like the Canton Tank P/N 80-272 that is available from many vendors for $130. The cap is P/N 81-030 for about $26. Here are links to Summit Racing that has free shipping: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CTR-80-272/ http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ctr-81-030 I already posted that they are available at ipiracing: Canton Aluminum Expansion Tanks for Mini Cooper Jegs also has the tanks but a little more expensive.
+1. Buy the summit tank, and try to fit it in...Let us know how that goes for ya!:wink: I'll give you a hint: Look at the nozzle on the box. You could probably make the summit box fit with a little DIY, and still end up a little cheaper. But the RMW one already fits perfectly. You can get the "plain" box from RMW cheaper, but the coated one looks nicer.
The forge tank uses the OEM cap and its also crap. I had one and it leaked also. RWM tank is the best made to date. The canton tank looks like someone has already made a cheap knock-off the RMW tank. Figures, but remember you get what you pay for.
The Canton tank was around before the RMW. I've had a Forge tank since 2007. Yeah, it leaks some from the cap. I gave up on trying to keep it polished looking a long long time ago.
The RMW tank is a perfect fit. Look at one Mark posted. The rear side outlet on the canton will not fit without being modified. Hint the RMW one has a has a right angle welded in for a reason. Also the rad cap comes with the RMW tank. I am am going to put this pit in the open buy saying if you don't like Jan and RMW for whatever reason I don't care. The fact is the part is tested and known to fit. If you don't want to buy the know to fit perfectly and function and tested part don't.
My '02 still has the ancient original tank design. Until I looked at some of the links in this thread I didn't realize the newer versions have threaded caps, mine just snaps on. No leaks yet. One thing I've always wondered about the opaque tanks, how do you decide whether they're filled properly?
Simple. If they leak, they're overfilled. If they don't, they're not. It's kind of like determing wether a person is a witch or not by tying them up and throwing them in a lake: if she floats, she's a witch and you burn her at the stake. If she drowns to death, she wasn't a witch. Seriously though, as long as you can see fluid in the bottom of the tank, and you're not getting any leaking from the cap, you're alright.
I even ran my OEM on the low side at the track and it still overflowed under the hood, leaving me with a bit of a mess to clean up afterwards. If you soccer mom drive your Mini the OEM may never give you much trouble, on the other hand, if you "use" your Mini and want to fix the tank problem one time and forget it, buy the RMW. I've always been partial to fixing something once myself.
:cornut: WOW!!! 30 posts on an overflow tank and coolant pressure cap. I can't wait for something controversial to come along.:lol::lol::lol: Jason
Never had mine overflow on the track or on a back road flog either. When mine breaks I'll look into an RMW one. Not spending the $$$ until I have to. Doing it before seems justa waste to me. :biggrin5: How's that Jason? :ihih:
I've had mine overflow on the track, but I haven't since I dropped the fluid level. Then again, I haven't had a 95 degree track day in awhile either, just luck of the draw. I'd rather have a larger tank, fill it higher than what I have now, and never have to worry about it again. I have the RMW tank, just need the time to install it. You want something controversial? Compare the RMW expansion tank to the Sprintex expansion tank.
I'm with Nathan. Can't keep the tank polished. I ended up wet sanding the polish to make it look dull. If I did it all over again I would go with a powder coated rmw.
I don't have a problem keeping my MINI clean even underhood. A lazy guy could polish it & then hit it with some clear. A shine that lasts & has that oh so cool underhood bling all us old farts love.
Well I keep my engine bay somewhat clean. The issue is that when the coolant leaks out it bakes on to the tank. Good luck and have fun polishing that out.
Ok you all know I am OCD about keeping my stuff clean so you should have expected I would have an answer for keeping the coolest tank clean. It is really not hard to do when you have a real tank and Rad cap that does not leak. I know a guy that has a "working" and "show" 10 wheel dump truck with lots and LOTS of chrome. Being his daily driving work truck it takes a beating but it always look great. I asked him what he used for all the chrome and and I have been using it ever since. This stuff just plain works and is very easy to use. I use Purple Polish on anything chrome including my coolest tank, exhaust tips and even my Milltek mufflers. (Yup I polish mufflers on jack stands) you can use the polish by itself but if something is stained you can wipe on the deoxidizer and then purple polish it. Purple Metal Polish/deoxidizer Combo : Amazon.com : Automotive