overheating woes

[veebug74]

Picking up new bongo on saturday has a haydon coolant alarm ,wired in beeps when theres an issue.
Maybe im missing something here but ,unless it self tests ie beeps on start up etc .
Never gonna know if it really works as with anything electrical can go down at any time.
Need a visual display like the needle but more accurate so digi readout to be fitted.
Probably gonna renew hoses rad thermostat as a precaution cost permitting.
Anyone fitted a manual fan switch or extra slimline fan as a precaution both on a toggle switch.??

[westonwarrior]

yes the low coolant alarm sounds on starting its a self test

BDC has fitted a manual switch for the fan and I'm sure will be along to advise

If your after a digital readout of temp go for a tm2 alarm see Haydn for this

[haydn callow]

Your Low Coolant Alarm self tests on switching on the ignition and will give a quick Bleep/flash to let you know your coolant levels are o.k....It does this EVERY time you turn the key...If when driving it sounds...continuous "siren/led" then your coolant level has dropped.....
Go to the webshop below and on the HomePage there is a link to a set of instructions which will tell you how to make your Temp gauge work much better for less than 5p.
Also on that site are other types of temp alarm. (digital displays)
If your cooling system is in good condition and you keep it that way then leave the fans alone ...they work just fine and will look after themselves.

[mikeonb4c]

Your Low Coolant Alarm self tests on switching on the ignition and will give a quick Bleep/flash to let you know your coolant levels are o.k....It does this EVERY time you turn the key...If when driving it sounds...continuous "siren/led" then your coolant level has dropped.....
Go to the webshop below and on the HomePage there is a link to a set of instructions which will tell you how to make your Temp gauge work much better for less than 5p.
Also on that site are other types of temp alarm. (digital displays)
If your cooling system is in good condition and you keep it that way then leave the fans alone ...they work just fine and will look after themselves.

Are we sure about that? On another thread just now is something that might suggest failure of a temp. sensor contributed to overheating (and this has come up before). Bottom line is - unless you have proper temp gauge fitted then the first you might know is if the system boils doncha think? And even with an alarm fitted, all you can do is stop and await rescue.

Bigdaddycain and (I think) DaveblueOzzie (sensible chaps both) have fitted override switches following guidance given (I think) by Wheelquick. I've got one on my scavenger fan. None of these have (to my knowledge) given trouble to date.

[mikexgough]

all in all it's what your happy with, I have a Mason and Low coolant alarms....... that's all..... my Mason goes to 55% as per this thread http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 1&start=15 with a maximum reading of 70% and a low coolant for belt n braces.

As I have changed my coolant (after a replacement radiator due to a leak at the seam) via my method and all is well then I am confident in my cooling system....... If I had an override fan switch I would think that I would over cool my engine which is just as bad as an overheating engine........ you pays your money.....

[mikeonb4c]

all in all it's what your happy with, I have a Mason and Low coolant alarms....... that's all..... my Mason goes to 55% as per this thread http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 1&start=15 with a maximum reading of 70% and a low coolant for belt n braces.

As I have changed my coolant (after a replacement radiator due to a leak at the seam) via my method and all is well then I am confident in my cooling system....... If I had an override fan switch I would think that I would over cool my engine which is just as bad as an overheating engine........ you pays your money.....

I think that (overcooling) is a possibility, esp. if you overuse it. But if you have a Mason alarm or TM2 then that should be easy to avoid. The thing that has to be borne in minding I think is that a temp sensor is (I imagine) not user serviceable and when it fails due to old age, the result (I imagine) will be a fan that doesn't come on when it should, and effectively a roadside breakdown even if you have temp alarms to warn you to stop before an overheat occurs. So those who want to fit an over-ride switch should be left to their own devices (no pun intended ) if it can be established that there is no harm likely to ECU etc.

[veebug74]

override switch and sm2 to monitor if it needs flicking on earlier or as a back up like previoulsy said,not keen on the buzzer at all.
Could even wire in a lamp on the fan to show the trigger signal is working,Might even just put another slimline fan on yet ,with the switch as a seperate hill/stuck in traffic back up.
another option is getting an ecu data reader that runs off the obd1/obd2 diagnostic ports,usually give all parameters oil temp,voltage,ignition,fuel pressure etc.
Glad theres a spare slot under the radio almost like mazda left it for gizmos.
Cant imagine explaining to the plod that i was looking at the temperature readout ,to make sure engine isnt over heating and then crashing and making it all pointless

[mister munkey]

Try setting that up on a Type 2.

Not like the old Air Cooled days is it!!!

How did I ever manage with those antique engines?

Must admit I don't miss doing the tappets every Sunday morning either.

[Doone]

Must admit I don't miss doing the tappets every Sunday morning either.

You mean laying down while we women fetch you a cuppa.

[veebug74]

Try setting that up on a Type 2.

Not like the old Air Cooled days is it!!!

How did I ever manage with those antique engines?

Must admit I don't miss doing the tappets every Sunday morning either.

Haha know the feeling very well,putting a subaru 2.2 in my splitscreevan .

[mister munkey]

Haha know the feeling very well,putting a subaru 2.2 in my splitscreevan .

Now THAT I gotta see!!!