Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and broke?

Heads, valves, pistons, rods, crankshaft, etc...

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
BoneIslandScooby
First Gear
Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:43 am
Location: Key West, Florida

Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and broke?

Post by BoneIslandScooby »

I am returning from vacation and left car getting exhaust work done. Was told that coolant reservoir for turbo broke due to rust. I believe it is where the cap attaches. Can I drive it home 3 hours or must I replace it first? Need to plan ahead for Monday so some quick answers would be appreciated please. Thank you.
cj91legss
Fifth Gear
Posts: 6322
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:17 am
Location: Lakewood, Wa 98439
Contact:

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by cj91legss »

3 hours is a stretch. 30 minutes, maybe.
Pic?
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
BoneIslandScooby
First Gear
Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:43 am
Location: Key West, Florida

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by BoneIslandScooby »

Is it inline with the rest of the cooling system? If so that would mean my cooling system would not be pressurized. Which means there is the possibility of air bubbles being caught in the cooling system and improper cooling. Also the possibility of coolant loss, correct?
BoneIslandScooby
First Gear
Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:43 am
Location: Key West, Florida

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by BoneIslandScooby »

Can it be bypassed temporarily without too much work?
cj91legss
Fifth Gear
Posts: 6322
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:17 am
Location: Lakewood, Wa 98439
Contact:

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by cj91legss »

JB Weld can work wonders.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
BoneIslandScooby
First Gear
Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:43 am
Location: Key West, Florida

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by BoneIslandScooby »

It is the pipe on the side that connects to the coolant hose that broke off. I'm thinking that it could possibly be rigged with a brass fitting and jb weld.
cj91legss
Fifth Gear
Posts: 6322
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:17 am
Location: Lakewood, Wa 98439
Contact:

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by cj91legss »

There are several hoses. Either way, yes you can fix it with a brass fitting. I broke a nipple off on my 91 and cut the rest off. Tapped it for a brass fitting and put Rtv on the fitting before threading it in.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
BoneIslandScooby
First Gear
Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:43 am
Location: Key West, Florida

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by BoneIslandScooby »

Can a 2002 - 2007 WRX or STI part be used to replace this, even if temporarily?
BoneIslandScooby
First Gear
Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:43 am
Location: Key West, Florida

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by BoneIslandScooby »

http://www.killerbmotorsport.com/index_ ... e21151.jpg

Could I possibly use this piece to replace my factory one?
cj91legss
Fifth Gear
Posts: 6322
Joined: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:17 am
Location: Lakewood, Wa 98439
Contact:

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by cj91legss »

Yeah, just plan on buying some heater hose as well and some barbed fittings at the same time. You will have to relocate some coolant hoses if you go in this direction.
91 L-TW Wagon with a full Swap -RIP
92 SS Prefaced, GD dash swapped, 22T/205 Hybrid 20 psi - BEAST!
93 SS Bone Stock Gone!
94 TW Bone Stock Gone!
91 SS 4EAT Sold!
98 LGT 4EAT
98 LGT Wagon 4EAT
James614
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1744
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 4:35 am
Location: Arkansas

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by James614 »

I've never seen that killer B tank before. Seems like a slick piece! I kinda want that for the space savings.
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
mike-tracy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:52 am
Location: Des Moines, Wa

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by mike-tracy »

You can run that killer b model, wrx model, ford supercharged cobra coolant tank, nobel m12 reservoir, etc. Nothing will fit in the stock location, so plan to make a bracket and buy bulk heater hose. That killer-b product is cool, but for $50 or less the stock metal wrx tank will work as well or probably better since it has more capacity.
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
BoneIslandScooby
First Gear
Posts: 220
Joined: Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:43 am
Location: Key West, Florida

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by BoneIslandScooby »

Can't I simply bypass it, drive it home, then replace the reservoir with a good original? Of course I would buy one from one of you fine people. Yes, the turbo would be strictly oil cooled in the meantime. That's OK. I wouldn't be abusing it, and I'd let it idle to cool down before I shut it off. I'm going to replace that turbo soon anyway.
mike-tracy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5000
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2009 7:52 am
Location: Des Moines, Wa

Re: Can I drive if coolant reservoir for turbo rusted and br

Post by mike-tracy »

A 3 hour drive? Is there any possible way, any way at all, you could source some used coolant tank and some bulk coolant hose. You could zip tie the tank into place. Without one you won't be able to bleed the cooling system.
1992 Legacy SS 5mt, build in progress
Josh Colombo wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2002 10:23 am Wait....I'm confused now.
Post Reply