Coolant Alarm Bleep

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Muzorewa
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Re: Coolant Alarm Bleep

Post by Muzorewa » Wed Nov 07, 2012 11:30 am

Simon Jones wrote:Worth noting the red longlife OAT (5 year) anti-freeze can also trigger the LCA shortly after it has been filled as it will add a protective coating on the screw that changes the conductivity.
Does this remedy itself or do the screws need removing & cleaning?
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Re: Coolant Alarm Bleep

Post by haydn callow » Wed Nov 07, 2012 12:12 pm

This happens at this time every year.
Because of the low temps the alarm will 'mutter' for a min or two until the coolant temp reaches about 10C......
If you change your coolant and replace it with RED coolant.....it will coat the inside of the system with a protective layer, in doing this it also coats the LCA sensor screw causing the alarm to play up......if you put up with this for a couple of weeks until the coolant has finished the coating process, remove the screw and wire brush it.....all will now be well.......or contact. [email protected]. For a replacement screw. (please send a SAE)

The alarm need coolant of the correct strength to work properly......plain water is not good enough. 30/50% is what the alarm likes best
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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Re: Coolant Alarm Bleep

Post by Gripped » Wed Nov 07, 2012 1:52 pm

Thanks for the info. I'll give the screw a clean.

In answer to the question, no I haven't bled the system yet, because I'm replacing the thermostat tomorrow. I just topped up with plain water just to give a bit of cooling while I move the van around on the drive. I'll fully drain it and refill and bleed after that.

With regard the the screw, isn't it just a stainless steel self tapper?
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Re: Coolant Alarm Bleep

Post by mikeonb4c » Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:17 pm

haydn callow wrote:Dosn,t work in water....and water is a bit risky in this weather..........hope you bled it correctly
Just to clarify, does that mean the alarm will go off falsely in plain water (which I'd expect if its conductivity is low, as is that of air)?
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haydn callow
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Re: Coolant Alarm Bleep

Post by haydn callow » Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:30 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:
haydn callow wrote:Dosn,t work in water....and water is a bit risky in this weather..........hope you bled it correctly
Just to clarify, does that mean the alarm will go off falsely in plain water (which I'd expect if its conductivity is low, as is that of air)?
A LCA will not work properly in plain water
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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Re: Coolant Alarm Bleep

Post by haydn callow » Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:32 pm

Gripped wrote:Thanks for the info. I'll give the screw a clean.

In answer to the question, no I haven't bled the system yet, because I'm replacing the thermostat tomorrow. I just topped up with plain water just to give a bit of cooling while I move the van around on the drive. I'll fully drain it and refill and bleed after that.

With regard the the screw, isn't it just a stainless steel self tapper?
The screw is 316 SS and the correct thread and length for the Bongo system........mess about with this at your peril .....
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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Re: Coolant Alarm Bleep

Post by mikeonb4c » Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:11 pm

haydn callow wrote:
mikeonb4c wrote:
haydn callow wrote:Dosn,t work in water....and water is a bit risky in this weather..........hope you bled it correctly
Just to clarify, does that mean the alarm will go off falsely in plain water (which I'd expect if its conductivity is low, as is that of air)?
A LCA will not work properly in plain water
But to clarify, would you expect it to go off (BEEP) falsely if immersed in plain water? Or are you saying its behaviour in plain water is just unpredictable. And out of interest, what % anti-freeze must you have in the system before it can be expected to work properly?
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Re: Coolant Alarm Bleep

Post by Driver+Passengers » Wed Nov 07, 2012 4:24 pm

haydn callow wrote:30/50% is what the alarm likes best
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Re: Coolant Alarm Bleep

Post by mikeonb4c » Wed Nov 07, 2012 6:08 pm

Driver+Passengers wrote:
haydn callow wrote:30/50% is what the alarm likes best
thanks - missed that #-o
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