[pisxa]

After one week of waiting for Rimmer answer (they said 2-3 working days) this is their nonsense supplier answer:

The tanks are no longer produced by the OEM so we have a kitting operation that adds the inserts in a poly bag for the dealer / customer to fit.
The moulder of the tanks – provides the tank with any internal floats fitted, but they cannot add the inserts.
So for many years we have serviced the metal inserts in a poly bag.
We did for a short while try to fit them but this is a labour intensive operation based on the volume we produce and some inserts could fall out whilst in transit or storage.

Edit:
this is not a Rimmer answer, this is a Rimmer's supplier answer.
Rimmer said they will insist on looking for an answer.

 

[Julian Foulger]

The reply indicates that you have not burned 180€. Ask Rimmers whether you are supposed to glue them in or not and what glue to use.!

 

[pisxa]

Seems this is the final answer from Rimmer:

Thank you for your email.
Our supplier have recommended slightly distorting the inserts by tapping them on the outside, this will allow them to provide an interference fit into the tank.

I think I have to tap a lot and distort a lot this insert to create interference. Judge by yourselves.

 

[D4KGP]

Seems this is the final answer from Rimmer:

Thank you for your email.
Our supplier have recommended slightly distorting the inserts by tapping them on the outside, this will allow them to provide an interference fit into the tank.

I think I have to tap a lot and distort a lot this insert to create interference. Judge by yourselves.

View attachment 138943

That aluminium insert looks like stainless to me but it's not in front of me, the whole thing looks to be a complete bodge and therefore not of merchantable quality. Tell Rimmers that you want a full refund and that they should cover any return costs that you may pay. Or maybe their mechanics could fix it when its returned. Afterall, they make enough profit out of us. Regards and good luck. D4KGP.

 

[mowog73]

Yeah, that insert is completely the wrong size. I agree with D4KGP that Rimmer shoulfd provide a refund, or at the least, send you another one at no cost. Have you sent that picture to Rimmer?

I took a look at my F's original expansion tanks, which was replaced when I installed a B&G low coolant alarm, and the original does not have metal inserts at the hose connections.

 

[trevtherevs]

Seems this is the final answer from Rimmer:

Thank you for your email.
Our supplier have recommended slightly distorting the inserts by tapping them on the outside, this will allow them to provide an interference fit into the tank.

I think I have to tap a lot and distort a lot this insert to create interference. Judge by yourselves.

View attachment 138943

There is noway a tap on that insert will allow that to fit, it's not just a slack fit it's a complete joke and to be trying to pass that off as suitable is appalling. It's just not fit for purpose and the supplier should either offer you a full refund or a suitable replacement, at their cost. You bought that in good faith and ended up with a pig's ear of an item. Don't let them get away with supplying inadequate parts, they have supplied it and so It's for them to get on to the supplier to sort out, not leaving you in the lurch.

 

[pisxa]

Yeah, that insert is completely the wrong size. I agree with D4KGP that Rimmer provide a refund, or at the least, send you another one at no cost. Have you sent that picture to Rimmer?

I took a look at my F's original expansion tanks, which was replaced when I installed a B&G low coolant alarm, and it does not have metal inserts at the hose connections.

Yes, I sent all the pictures to Rimmer.
Install it without the metal insertions is also an option... but I don't know if in the future the plastic will break because of fatigue. I think if those inserts are there will be for some reason. How much time or km has your new tank fitted without inserts?

That aluminium insert looks like stainless to me but it's not in front of me, the whole thing looks to be a complete bodge and therefore not of merchantable quality. Tell Rimmers that you want a full refund and that they should cover any return costs that you may pay. Or maybe their mechanics could fix it when its returned. Afterall, they make enough profit out of us. Regards and good luck. D4KGP.

I guess is aluminum because is not magnetic.

Thanks to all for your thoughts, I'll keep you posted if finally I get a solution from Rimmer.

 

[D4KGP]

Yes, I sent all the pictures to Rimmer.
Install it without the metal insertions is also an option... but I don't know if in the future the plastic will break because of fatigue. I think if those inserts are there will be for some reason. How much time or km has your new tank fitted without inserts?


I guess is aluminum because is not magnetic.

Thanks to all for your thoughts, I'll keep you posted if finally I get a solution from Rimmer.

It depends on the grade of stainless, 304 & 316 are non magnetic grades. D4KGP.

 

[deepfat]

Below is a copy of the email I sent to Rimmers on the 28/10 their response is a deafening silence, which I think shows their complete indifference to customer concerns. They are now definitely on my list of suppliers of last resort only, the picture that pixsa posted beggars belief that anyone thought that was fit for purpose.
Hi,
I don't know if you are aware (if not why) but there is a thread on the MG-Rover org forum about your replacement for the TF expansion tank which following the thread appears unfit for purpose. This does appear to reflect badly on your company as does your apparent indifference to your customers concerns, being a new TF owner myself it will certainly make me think twice.
Regards
Peter

 

[IanMc]

How much time or km has your new tank fitted without inserts?

27 years and 65k miles..... Just fit it!

 

[pisxa]

27 years and 65k miles..... Just fit it!

The original ones (at least in the TF) have the inserts. Mine is 110k miles and is there (with inserts) Thanks for your opinion

 

[Austin2297]

I can understand the good intentions to get to the bottom of this, but due to delays, shipping etc. etc. why not get a local machine shop/ technical college to turn you up a suitable fitting piece of stainless pipe?
Kind regards,
Austin.

 

[trevtherevs]

I can understand the good intentions to get to the bottom of this, but due to delays, shipping etc. etc. why not get a local machine shop/ technical college to turn you up a suitable fitting piece of stainless pipe?
Kind regards,
Austin.

I know you can buy thin walled stainless pipe. I don't know what o/d size you're looking for, but I'm sure you could get something closer to what you currently have. Whilst I appreciate the frustration and the poor service you have received, it isn't helping you get back on the road. I'm sure a local jobbing workshop would knock a suitable substitute, or even try a garage. However, after alls said and done, this might never get resolved as quickly or to your satisfaction with Rimmers.
Which still leaves you out on a limb and still needing to get the tank fitted.

 

[mowog73]

The original tank that was fitted to the car, which did not have Al inserts, was fitted for 15 yrs and ~85,000 miles. The replacement, which was part of B&G's coolant alarm kit, did have the Al inserts.

Austin's suggestion of fitting your own inserts is an excellent one, or just fit the tank since you are not getting anywhere with Rimmer, which is really odd in my experience, I've found their response to issue to be excellent in my experience.

 

[MGB281]

This is worth reading regarding the VW expansion tank,
Coolant Hose Split And Burst - Page 2 - The MGF Register Forums
The download is on the second page and gives you all the you need including the mounting bracket
Although not fitted yet I am going to try this low level warning sensor;

Low Water Level Silent Alarm With Random Colour Flashing LED 12V | eBay

This alarm will not work if you are using very pure water, deionised or distilled for eample. After long periods of use the bare sensor wire ends may tarnish and cause the alarm to light when it should not.

www.ebay.co.uk

and will add a buzzer to the flashing LED and one of these delay timers so the alarm will not go off when cornering or braking.

DC 5V 12V NE555 0~25s Timer Delay Relay Switch Module Adjustable On/Off for Car | eBay

Main chip: NE555. For example: capacitance 47uF, resistance 500K. Anti reverse connect function,Prevent reverse circuit burn. Specification(DC 5V/12V Delay Turn off Module ) Specification(DC 5V/12V Delay Turn on Module ).

www.ebay.co.uk

Total cost of a 2012 VW Passat expansion tank, low level sensor, buzzer and delay timer including postage is £20.52

 

[MGB281]

I forgot to say that the VW Passat expansion tank was a used one from ebay, it came with the plug and short lengths of wire. It is easy enough to join the white wires to the ones that came on the tank. There is some info that it is better to buy used than new aftermarket ones, especially the caps.You need a blue cap not black

 

[pisxa]

Finally, I fit the expansion tank, I toke the Austin2297 advice and look for a local mechanical workshop, and they provide a suitable fitting piece of stainless pipe.

Regarding Rimmer, they finally wrote me proposing a return of the tank with a full refund including customs duties.

 

[D4KGP]

Finally, I fit the expansion tank, I toke the Austin2297 advice and look for a local mechanical workshop, and they provide a suitable fitting piece of stainless pipe.

Regarding Rimmer, they finally wrote me proposing a return of the tank with a full refund including customs duties.

Its good that you have the tank fitted now, but you could have done without the possible stress that the whole episode may have given you.