I am thinking of fitting an alarm to warn of impending coolant loss. I am told this is something that Bongos are prone to. Can anyone tell me whether this is a high mileage problem or can it happen in lower mileage vehicles too. Mine is just coming up to 120K kilometers (75K miles) and is a 1997 2.5 Diesel 2WD. So far it has been mechanically excellent. Which alarm is best?
Any help appreciated.
Coolant alarms
Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior
Re: Coolant alarms
It could happen to any Bongo at any age/mileage as it more related to the condition of the cooling system than any other factor.
A low mileage Bongo that has been sat around doing nothing for most of it's life and has never had it's original Japanese coolant flushed before being topped up with European coolant would (IMO) be a good candidate for problems.
A Mason alarm modifies the circuit for the std temp gauge so it reads more accurately and gives audible warning (adjustable) of overheating.
Hadyn's original low coolant alarm constantly checks the coolant level in the header tank and warns when it drops below a set level.
His later ones do that and more, but I don't know what more they do.
Someone will no doubt be along soon and tell you.
A low mileage Bongo that has been sat around doing nothing for most of it's life and has never had it's original Japanese coolant flushed before being topped up with European coolant would (IMO) be a good candidate for problems.
A Mason alarm modifies the circuit for the std temp gauge so it reads more accurately and gives audible warning (adjustable) of overheating.
Hadyn's original low coolant alarm constantly checks the coolant level in the header tank and warns when it drops below a set level.
His later ones do that and more, but I don't know what more they do.
Someone will no doubt be along soon and tell you.
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westonwarrior
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 2918
- Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:27 pm
Re: Coolant alarms
It appears they are prone due to age rather than milage the system gets sediment that clogs up the system causing bad coolant flow.
old hoses also can perish as can the rad etc
If I was to but a bongo again I would change the coolant, flush the system, change the rad and check all hoses and fit an alarm like the low coolant tm2 alarm which give warning of coolant loss and shows the relitive temp of the engine also come with a high coolant alarm in case air gets in and forces coolant out of the header tank
some also/or fit the masons alarm which makes the standard guage work better
wether you fit one or both depends on you and your choice
Most Bongos have no trouble but having had a problem before my next one will be treated to the coolant "recon"
Scanner beet me to it
old hoses also can perish as can the rad etc
If I was to but a bongo again I would change the coolant, flush the system, change the rad and check all hoses and fit an alarm like the low coolant tm2 alarm which give warning of coolant loss and shows the relitive temp of the engine also come with a high coolant alarm in case air gets in and forces coolant out of the header tank
some also/or fit the masons alarm which makes the standard guage work better
wether you fit one or both depends on you and your choice
Most Bongos have no trouble but having had a problem before my next one will be treated to the coolant "recon"
Scanner beet me to it