Coolant level - how to check

[Evertonskidog]

Hi guys. I’m new to this forum - thrilled to join!

We purchased our bongo last week after many weeks of researching on here.

The new vehicle doesn’t have a coolant alarm (which I’ll look to do ASAP) but I have another issue. This may sound odd but I am unable to check how much coolant is in the vehicle. If I open the chamber I can see fluid inside but I cannot see through the chamber to see if it’s above the min limit. Is this normal? I even used a torch. No joy.

Ofcourse I am worried that I can’t see how much fluid is in there because there isn’t enough to register!

For info I place a clean rod into the tank and there was about an inch of fluid on the bottom


Big apologies if posted elsewhere - I did search first.

[Bob]

Hi, and welcome aboard.

Your 'clean rod' method is perfect. I've seen 3/4" or 20mm recommended so the inch you're reading is about right.

I find the little sticks you get for stirring coffee just right.

Excuse for a visit to Spoonies.

[Markas]

There is a method involving using a lolly stick as a dipstick - I'm sure it's somewhere on here or in a how-to file. An inch from the bottom sounds low to me. Try checking in different light levels - if my expansion tank is in bright sunshine (rare i know!) I can't see the contents.
Oh, and welcome to the forum!!

[Markas]

Bob beat me to it & I bow to his superior knowledge

[Bob]

I'm not claiming that.

[WebWiz]

I've just been struggling with my cooling system and topped up tank countless time the last few days.

I found that placing my phone's camera flash/torch on top of the tank or over the opening allows me to see the level but that's in the shade.

If very cloudy/stained tank then the stick method also works well as this is what I first used before discovering the torch method.

[haydn callow]

Stick with the stick method, just make sure you do it cold and keep the stick vertical, 2 cms showing on the stick is perfect a bit more/less is ok

[Doone]

Yes any stick, marked 2cms from the end you're going to dip. If the 2cm line is wet, the level's OK.

[teenmal]

You could also use a marked straw . dip it put your finger over the hole lift up and read.

[SimonD]

I also use a marked stirrer but found that if I stick my right hands' little finger in to the tank filler hole ( with the rest of my hand spread in front of the tank in line with the vehicle so to speak), for me it is exactly the right level if I can _just_ reach the coolant with the tip of my pinky.
ONLY IF coolant is definitely, definitely COOL!!!!

Obviously I wash/clean my finger ASAP and perhaps not the best method for those sensitive, or of a nervous disposition, but measurement wise, it works for me.

[teenmal]

That's very Handy to know Simon.

[Bob]

We'll have to make up a little jig and offer 'finger calibrating' at Stourport.

[Doone]

Allan always checks the coolant level with the finger tip test. We're gonna get questions now on how big people's hands are.