Cooling system question

[BDEGhost]

On a '02 GP N/A, are you supposed to add coolant to the overflow tank or to the radiator directly? I was always taught that you added to the overflow tank and when the radiator was low, it would suck the coolant back up into the radiator. Mine doesn't seem to be doing this. My radiator was low but my overflow tank had plenty of coolant in it. Is this normal? Also, I have noticed that when my engine is dead cold and if I quickly squeeze the upper radiator hose, the coolant sloshes up and down in the overflow tank. It seems like the radiator cap should only open up to the overflow tank when the pressure reaches the rating of the cap. Is my radiator cap bad?

[Liquifire]

You should be able to put coolant in at either place and it should be ok. either your cap is not working correctly(which it sounds like to me) because if there was a blockage in your hose, it would not slosh up and down in the coolant tank when it is cold. I am not sure if it is your cap or if there is something else that is wrong. I am not sure how it would slosh in the overflow when it is cold but it would not accept more coolant in the radiator if it was low and there was some in the overflow tank. Unless it is acting kind of like a check valve somehow, but I would start with the radiator cap and see what happens then.

[Zef_66]

You can replace the radiator cap and see what happens. But even with a new radiator cap and new overflow hose, my coolant won't suck back into the radiator. So your best bet is to add coolant directly to the radiator. The overflow tank is just that, and overflow tank.

[Liquifire]

if the hose is not clogged at all through expansion and contraction it should suck coolant back in if all is working right and at the right levels

[ninnyGTP]

Here's how I always go about it. Top off the radiator, let it burp, start up the car and add more if needed. Never do I use the overflow to fill up the radiator. But yes, bet bet is to start with the cap and go on if needed. Cap will set you back maybe $5