Coolant Leak at Overflow Tank

[Steve777]

So I think all the coolant issues on my '94 B4000 have been solved (water pump, radiator, thermostat all new/replaced recently) except for this minor one. I am noticing some leaked coolant which is coming out where the elbow from the radiator goes into the tank. I do not think there are head gasket issues as there is no signs of exhaust in the coolant (or coolant in the oil) and the overflow tank is not super full, maybe at the 3/4 level when hot, at the cold fill line when cold. My drive takes me up and down a bunch of steep hills, so it seems likely that coolant could run out there from the downhill legs, and would explain the small wet spots I see there (maybe a couple tablespoons after a trip, and it is wet around this elbow).

When I look more closely at that elbow that has a tube that goes into the overflow, it looks like it is only held in by a couple of thin plastic pieces molded into the elbow, it has plenty of give for me to pull up on it and look around. There also seems to be the decayed remnants of a foam washer or the like which may have sealed it once upon a time.

So my question is, how is this elbow supposed to fit into the tank? Is it OK to just "glue" it in with some silicone sealer, or does the overflow tank need to "breathe" around that elbow, so I shouldn't seal it in.

Suggestions?

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Subbed;
I don't know, but am interested in the answer.

 

[adsm08]

The overflow tank does need to breathe. The system works on thermal expansion and vacuum, so air had to flow in and out. I am not real familiar with the real used that year. As long as the cap isn't sealed to the tank it should be OK to silicone things together.