Coolant level

[tobongoornot]

Well I'm pretty sure I have sprung another slow leak but I wanted to confirm what the correct coolant level is.
It's impossible to see through the side of the expansion tank I tried all sorts of tricks with torches but no good.
I noticed there is a line visible on the inside of the expansion tank when you take the cap off but this seems to be far too high to be a fill guide?
I also notice there is a horizontal hole in-between the left and right hand sides of the expansion tank that goes all the way up to the horizontal line.
Can anyone tell me how far below the top of the whole for the expansion tank cap the water level should be?

Hope that makes sense.

[Dabs]

Best bet get a coolant alarm fitted!!

I always do my checks etc but I decided to submit and have an alarm fitted,it doesnt sort the problem but I regard it as back up to the regular checks,I spotted 3 leaks just by checking pre the alarm so it does pay to check the hoses regularly.

The alrm is a good idea!!

Dabs

[Rhod]

The top probe screw on the Coolant Alarm is approx half-way between the full & low marks - alarm goes off if level drops below this. I'd guess that the correct level to fill to would therefore be something like three-quarters of the way up to the full mark?

[Simon Jones]

The line you can see is the seam between top & bottom parts of the moulding. This is also visible on the outside, so it should be quite simple to work out where the min/max are relative to this seam.

BTW, I think the only way to clean the tank is to remove it & use something like caustic soda. I tried using soda crystals & a bottle brush, but that really didn't make an difference.

A coolant alarm will give you warning if the level drops too low, but there is no sustitute to a visual inspection (when cold) by removing the pressure cap. For example, a brown colour liquid would indicate rust & sludge in the system.

[Peg leg Pete]

Totally agree Simon

[daveblueozzie]

quick and easy way to find the level,dip your little finger in the tank (when cold) and you should feel the coolant .if not top up ,you can fill up to the inside seam without any problem.
AND GET A COOLANT ALARM FROM HAYDN.

[tobongoornot]

I here what you are saying about the alarm but at £70 I can't help feeling my money would be better spent on a set of hoses at the moment as I suspect I already have a leak, get the leak fixed first then worry about the alarm. Prevention before detection.

On the basis that the coolant was looking pretty brown any advice on how best to flush the coolant system?

[daveblueozzie]

if your going to get the hoses fitted then your going to have to drop the coolant anyway, then you can use a hose pipe and clean the radiator out.

[David Edwards]

MIne is easy to see coolant level thru the side of expansion tank, as a matter of habit I check mine every week ( old police driving school habit) lol along with lights, etc but.. I bought Hadyn's cig socket alarm and just feel so much safer knowing the alarm will sound if level drops, sort of back up to my checks, also it is cheaper to buy straight via e bay, (sorry club). If you are having trouble seeing the level thru the side of the tank then I think that suggests the water needs changing and may be full of gunk, depends on where you are there may be a friendly bongo garage ( or even owner) who may be able to offer assistance in this way, don't forget members of this forum are extremely helpful in both practical and advice ways, you probably only have to ask lol. Good luck.

[haydn callow]

The correct level is the FULL line when cold. This will rise when hot. Easy to make up a dip stick.

[haydn callow]

as a aside.... the cheapest way to get either a Coolant loss alarm or a TM-2 temp alarm is by sending me a PM or email.....we can save on ebay fees.

[mikeonb4c]

Haydn. Been meaning to ask you about the TM2. The price on ebay from the Ozzies seems the same as yours - is that right though as we thought it was going to be cheaper from you. Still undecided on getting one but thought I'd ask in preparation.

Mike

[haydn callow]

Hi...answer. my ebay price is ..as you say ..only £2 cheaper than ebay from Oz....however...you could well have to pay £18 in duty and PO charges....not everyone will be charged but a majority will have to pay. It takes about 10 days to get one from Oz.
I deliver next day for £72 including P&P if bought on ebay...Saving at least £2 and could be as much as £20.
If you come to me direct via PM or email then at least another £2 can be saved.
So... whichever way you do it...I am cheaper...Quicker....and handy.
£70 is about as cheap as I can make it to be worth my time and investment. I carry about £4000 of stock at any one time.
I was hoping to be able to do them a bit cheaper but the exchange rate is NOT GOOD and getting worse.

[mikeonb4c]

Hi...answer. my ebay price is ..as you say ..only £2 cheaper than ebay from Oz....however...you could well have to pay £18 in duty and PO charges....not everyone will be charged but a majority will have to pay. It takes about 10 days to get one from Oz.
I deliver next day for £72 including P&P if bought on ebay...Saving at least £2 and could be as much as £20.
If you come to me direct via PM or email then at least another £2 can be saved.
So... whichever way you do it...I am cheaper...Quicker....and handy.
£70 is about as cheap as I can make it to be worth my time and investment. I carry about £4000 of stock at any one time.
I was hoping to be able to do them a bit cheaper but the exchange rate is NOT GOOD and getting worse.

Quite understand Haydn. Not easy to forecast much these days. Thank goodness the TM2 isn't made out of diesel

[tobongoornot]

Well I took the bongo for a run to warm everything up then had a good root around but all I could find was this.





Any idea what pipe that is? It's under the passenger seat.