Haydn Coolant Alarm - Mk3 vs Mk1

[haydn callow]

Ron Miel....have PM'd

[teenmal]

Turning right last night, I became aware of a whistling sound in the cockpit. I quickly clicked it was the low coolant alarm indicating that the G force of the turn had pulled the coolant level below safety at the sensor position in the tank. It had not happened before. It seems likely I've lost a little bit of coolant. Perhaps a v minor leak. But I have tons of early warning and can now start investigating without worrying too much having the Bongo in normal use. First time it has gone off since fitting it over a year ago. The low coolant alarm gets my vote - every time (and, on long journeys, carrying some water so you can carry on in the event you get a slow leak). And I agree with Oz - an engine block alarm seems the next best one to fit. But the Mason Alarm is a good cheap alternative I think provided whatever goes wrong doesn't involve coolant loss around the Bongo coolant temp. sensor area.

Can't think of any reason that only the area around the sensor would be low in coolant - by the time the coolant level drops to below the sensor the system will have lost a fair bit of coolant...............................................

As to the TM2 - I reckon it'd be a good bit of kit but there's enough happening to keep my eyes on when in traffic, I was trained to keep a watchful eye on mirrors/gauges/road ahead in a constant scan - whether I'd see the TM2 creeping up on me is debatable

Hi Dandy,I think the TM2 beeps?Mal..

[mikeonb4c]

A very good decision Ron (low coolant + TM2).

Dandy - I didn't explain it well enough. Centrifugal force 'lowered the tide' on the side of the reservoir the low coolant sensor was on, so the alarm only went off turning right. However, since it had not been doing that before it must be assumed the level had dropped over time.

[Ron Miel]

Or you've been building up your G-tolerance Mike, and now think you're a jet jockey Reckon I'll try to fit my sensors at the mid-point of the rear tank wall, if that proves physically possible when we get both Bongo and alarm, so useful input thanks.

[mikeonb4c]

Or you've been building up your G-tolerance Mike, and now think you're a jet jockey Reckon I'll try to fit my sensors at the mid-point of the rear tank wall, if that proves physically possible when we get both Bongo and alarm, so useful input thanks.

The low coolant alarm comes with a fitting template for where screws should go and I reckon its fine (best even) to stick with that. Fact is that my coolant level almost certainly has dropped over the last few months so that the 'tidal pull' of coolant away from that point put the local level below the sensor.

I'm very pleased you are fitting a low coolant alarm. I'm a great believer in them, all the more so when you've invested as you have.

Hope we'll meet one day. I'm an ex Londoner but with a NW affiliation going back years now.

[haydn callow]

I wouldn't do that...the point is the alarm picked up the fact the coolant level had dropped a little. Thats what it's meant to do. If you are up to the FULL line it will not go off except under exceptional circumstances. i.e. trying to climb a wall. The tank is so well bafflled it won't make much differance where you put it as long as the top sensor screw is about 1cm below the full. You get a drilling template.

[haydn callow]

you beat me to it Mike.

[mikeonb4c]

If you are up to the FULL line it will not go off except under exceptional circumstances.

One of the conundrums with the Bongo (Ron must be amazed at how a simple thread becomes a years discussion thread!) is that the difference in header tank level from engine cold to engine hot is quite noticeable (it rises as engine heats). So some (like me) don't like to fill it to 'full' line when cold as then it will be beyond it when hot (we think). Question then is if I topped up in summer (which I did and only to 'mid point', not to 'full') would the result be a very low header tank level when the engine has become very cooled as on a frosty night (which this was).

But I still think I'm probably losing a smidgeon of coolant over time (which is why I love the low coolant alarm!)

[haydn callow]

It rises about 1 cm from cold to hot. But why not go to the full line when cold ? It will make no differance in running temp/pressure as the cap will do it's job. There will still be plenty of air to compress. As your ment to top up when cool surley the full line is "the full at cool line"

[Ron Miel]

Thanks Mike and Haydn. Wondered if you might say that, and if there's a template I'll certainly use it. Good pearls of wisdom emerging also about top up and expansion levels. No. not really surprised at length of thread Mike, anyway, I've caused quite a lot of it.

We've been in NW 25 years now, from West London/Middlesex and Croydon respectively, and had noted you are not very far away but didn't realise you were also a fellow escapee. Indeed, look forward to a meet. Will PM if/when we're over your way to see if a quick half might be welcome, otherwise am sure we'll find you at a bash soon - also welcome here anytime, of course.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks Mike and Haydn. Wondered if you might say that, and if there's a template I'll certainly use it. Good pearls of wisdom emerging also about top up and expansion levels. No. not really surprised at length of thread Mike, anyway, I've caused quite a lot of it.

We've been in NW 25 years now, from West London/Middlesex and Croydon respectively, and had noted you are not very far away but didn't realise you were also a fellow escapee. Indeed, look forward to a meet. Will PM if/when we're over your way to see if a quick half might be welcome, otherwise am sure we'll find you at a bash soon - also welcome here anytime, of course.

I'm a Sarf London boy (did my A Levels at Croydon Tech!!)

Haydn - re Max Line - 20/20 hindsight is my only answer. I guess I didn't want it overflowing or summat and spilling coolant inside my bonnet area. Lame excuse really!

[haydn callow]

Mike...It won't do that...It will rise 1cm above the full at most. You must not worry ...life's to short.
Be brave

[dandywarhol]

Turning right last night, I became aware of a whistling sound in the cockpit. I quickly clicked it was the low coolant alarm indicating that the G force of the turn had pulled the coolant level below safety at the sensor position in the tank. It had not happened before. It seems likely I've lost a little bit of coolant. Perhaps a v minor leak. But I have tons of early warning and can now start investigating without worrying too much having the Bongo in normal use. First time it has gone off since fitting it over a year ago. The low coolant alarm gets my vote - every time (and, on long journeys, carrying some water so you can carry on in the event you get a slow leak). And I agree with Oz - an engine block alarm seems the next best one to fit. But the Mason Alarm is a good cheap alternative I think provided whatever goes wrong doesn't involve coolant loss around the Bongo coolant temp. sensor area.

A very good decision Ron (low coolant + TM2).

Dandy - I didn't explain it well enough. Centrifugal force 'lowered the tide' on the side of the reservoir the low coolant sensor was on, so the alarm only went off turning right. However, since it had not been doing that before it must be assumed the level had dropped over time.

I took it you were talking about the coolant sensor in the head being devoid of coolant in your reply Mike - my reply still stands.............

[mikeonb4c]

Turning right last night, I became aware of a whistling sound in the cockpit. I quickly clicked it was the low coolant alarm indicating that the G force of the turn had pulled the coolant level below safety at the sensor position in the tank. It had not happened before. It seems likely I've lost a little bit of coolant. Perhaps a v minor leak. But I have tons of early warning and can now start investigating without worrying too much having the Bongo in normal use. First time it has gone off since fitting it over a year ago. The low coolant alarm gets my vote - every time (and, on long journeys, carrying some water so you can carry on in the event you get a slow leak). And I agree with Oz - an engine block alarm seems the next best one to fit. But the Mason Alarm is a good cheap alternative I think provided whatever goes wrong doesn't involve coolant loss around the Bongo coolant temp. sensor area.

A very good decision Ron (low coolant + TM2).

Dandy - I didn't explain it well enough. Centrifugal force 'lowered the tide' on the side of the reservoir the low coolant sensor was on, so the alarm only went off turning right. However, since it had not been doing that before it must be assumed the level had dropped over time.

I took it you were talking about the coolant sensor in the head being devoid of coolant in your reply Mike - my reply still stands.............

Yup - apologies. Re-reading it, I can see where the confusion arose.