Recovery Tank

A Recovery Tank is a container in a race car's cooling system that captures excess coolant when the engine heats up and automatically returns it to the radiator when the engine cools down.

When your race car's engine gets hot during competition, the coolant inside expands and creates pressure. Think of it like heating water in a closed pot - the liquid needs somewhere to go. Instead of letting this excess coolant spill onto the track, the recovery tank catches it through a connected hose.

The recovery tank works automatically without any driver input. As the engine cools down after a race or between sessions, the coolant shrinks back to its normal size. This creates a vacuum that sucks the stored coolant back from the recovery tank into the radiator, keeping the cooling system full and ready for the next session.

This system is different from a simple catch can, which only collects spilled fluids. A recovery tank actually returns the coolant to where it belongs, making it a smart, self-managing system that helps keep your engine at the right temperature.

Most recovery tanks are made from plastic or aluminum and mount somewhere high in the engine bay. They have a vented cap that allows air to escape but keeps the coolant contained. The connecting hose usually extends to the bottom of the tank so coolant gets sucked back before any air can enter the system.

Racing organizations often require recovery tanks because spilled coolant creates an extremely slippery and dangerous surface on the track. A small coolant leak can cause massive crashes when cars lose traction unexpectedly. The recovery tank prevents this safety hazard while also protecting your engine from overheating due to low coolant levels.

For racers, a properly working recovery tank means better engine protection, compliance with track safety rules, and peace of mind knowing you won't get black-flagged for dropping fluids on the racing surface.