Coolant Recovery Systems: Operation
As coolant temperature rises and pressure in system exceeds pressure relief valve of radiator cap, excess coolant flows into overflow bottle. As engine cools and coolant contracts, vacuum is formed in the system. Vacuum draws coolant, stored in overflow bottle, back into radiator. In a properly maintained cooling system, the only coolant losses will be through evaporation.
Overflow bottle captures and releases coolant according to temperature. (See Fig 1)