hi can anyone enlighten me ?.having bought a 91 townace supa extra 2.ltr td auto only 3 days ago i was looking round the veichle getting to grips where everthing was hidden away when i eventualy found the engine i notice 3 things 1,the big hose that connects the air filter was not connected together 2,there was a clicking sound coming from the lhs of the engine 3,the coolant level was dangerously low (wich i topped up straight away.but what eluded me was the little pipe that comes off the rhs of the coolant level cap does it connect to anywhere if so where ?.i noticed after filling the coolant bottle the clicking noise (wich seemed to increase when the townie was put in to r and drive)has stopped could this have been the water pump running dry ? as it sounded kinda like a fan catching something ?
- (#7448) chris, 3 Mar 03

Hello Chris,

Be careful of the coolant bottle, it is fact an expansion bottle for the coolant system. You will need to top the system up by opening the pressured radiator cap that the lhs hose from the expansion lid goes to. You will also need to make sure that the expansion bottle is between the marks "min" and
"max". The hose on the rhs of this cap is just an overflow.

Others may be able to help with the clicking sound unless you had your air conditioning on, at which case it will be the clutch engaging the air conditioning drive.

- (#7449) Mark, 3 Mar 03

Do make sure that under the plastic expansion bottle cap is a tube that dips down below the coolant level
(to draw the expanded water back into the system)
My hiace was without and consequently had some overheating problems - though the temp guage nor garage were any help in finding this out

The little bent pipe exiting the top of the expansion tank is as far as I know an overflow (as last post highlights)
Always check your level by undoing the pressure cap (over the thermostat housing) when COLD (at least until you are confident everthing functions correctly)
Above is for hiace but may be same for yours

I had numerous clicks and rattles but seem to have identified them for now. (loose screws, nuts, things in rear ashtrays and gear selector)
Its worth pointing out that sometimes odd noises can travel. For example I was convinced that the gear selector vibration was from the steering column.
Listening devices like pieces of wood or metal pipe to your ear can be useful
Machine mart do a ready made one though you cannot really use things like that whilst driving!
If the noise has now gone - then breath a sigh of relief and move on!
I sympathise with your new bus worries as I've only had mine 2 weeks
- (#7450) chris turner, 3 Mar 03