Coolant loss alarm and other things

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:43 pm

The coolant loss alarm is now undergoing final tests and we are very pleased with the results. It is very easy to DIY fit and no draining of coolant will be required. If a eggcup full of coolant is lost, that will be about it. The alarm is very reliable and it even deals with false alarms and resets itself without worrying the driver. The final test is being carried out by another Bongo Fury member and once we have his go ahead the kit should be available from the Bongo Master. Personally I am happy that the alarm once fitted will "ALARM" the driver if as little as 1 pint of coolant drops out of the header tank.
One thing that has come to light during the course of the development of the alarm is the failure of the metal coolant pipe that connects the top hose and the other hose that runs up to the engine. This failure starts with pin prick holes which are extreamly difficult to detect. These holes give off a very fine mist of coolant only when hot and under pressure. Very difficult to see with the eye and the owner can be checking all sorts of things and still miss these pin prick holes. These holes seem to appear on Bongos from the age of about 8 years onwards so most of us are in this bracket. It has been suggested that I could perhaps get a batch of replacement pipes made up out of Stainless Steel. These ,if there is demand could be sold to club members at a discount. Before I invest cash into this project it would be nice to know if there would be a positive response from the members. These pipes can be obtained now in mild steel from normal sources. I will find out the cost of these and get some sort of price for the SS ones.

Keswick · Post by **Keswick** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:53 pm

I will vote once I have the two comparable prices.

I think the alarm idea is great - so long as it is dead easy to fit (as opposed to easy).

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:56 pm

Or maybe the answer is simply a replacement rubber pipe that would last 8 years anyway?

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:59 pm

The alarm is DEAD EASY to fit. Can you change a tap washer?? if yes, you should be O.K. The whole job will take about 1 hour. If a tap washer is a bit of a worry then chat up a local Bongo owner or about a hours labour at the garage.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:01 pm

How would you support a rubber hose over that distance without chaffing it to bits??

Keswick · Post by **Keswick** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 8:17 pm

haydn callow wrote:The alarm is DEAD EASY to fit. Can you change a tap washer?? if yes, you should be O.K. The whole job will take about 1 hour. If a tap washer is a bit of a worry then chat up a local Bongo owner or about a hours labour at the garage.

No!

My husband is the local Bongo owner and I ain't chatting him up as it's our 15th wedding anniversary tomorrow and he will be suspicious if I start all that palaver again

Post by **aitch** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:30 pm

thanks for the info will watch for prices as earlier this year I had a problem with overheating (thought the head had gone0 but it ended happily with only a pinprick hole in a hose which was replaced for about 20 quid plus new coolant. Thanks for the info. will vote when I know what cost is involved hope that this is O.K. with you.

David Edwards · Post by **David Edwards** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 10:27 pm

The coolant pipe rusted through on my Toyota Space cruiser one morning en route to work, lucky there was a friendly garage right opposite me, he removed the pipe and re fitted a length of suitable pressure hose instead. Funny thing was he said it was rediculous fitting metal pipes as the coolant will rust it in time whereas the rubber pressure hose lasted the lifetime of the vehicle. I telephoned my local toyota garage for a price on the replacement pipe and was quoted £150.00 because it was long and bendy ( bit like me), the cost of the pressure pipe and labour came to £25.00 and two pints. Wot a difference eh!. Happy motoring.

Lewy · Post by **Lewy** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:57 pm

How much is the coolant alarm kit gonna cost Haydn?

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:25 pm

How would you support a rubber hose over that distance without chaffing it to bits??
I have that metal heatproof material over hoses where chafing may occur

dobby · Post by **dobby** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:41 pm

The steel pipes on our old Renault Clio pin holed because someone had filled the system up with tap water.............

I know that bongos are 50/50 coolant/water but maybe the pipes rust when the coolant becomes too diluted?

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 9:43 pm

That is so true

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:11 pm

I don't think it would be practical to run a rubber hose the diameter of a Bongo top hose for about 6ft without inviting all sorts of problems. The cost of the coolant alarm is being finalised as we chat. You will be the first to know when that happens.

Dave up north · Post by **Dave up north** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 6:50 pm

Cant wait...

... Anyone in my area want to fit mine???

... I can repay you in kind

Coolant loss alarm and other things

Mild steel or Stainless

Coolant loss alarm and other things