Have you fitted your Coolant Alarm Kit Yet ???

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:18 pm

Yes.. I think there could be a case for fitting both. However I think the coolant alarm is more preventitive in it's function. It will in most cases warn you that your coolant is low long before it becoms critical and the engine temp starts to rise. It also reminds you every time you switch on that all is well in that dep't. The temp alarm, whilst much better than your gauge, alarms you only when things are getting very close to critical in the overheating dep't.
I have both systems fitted for evaulation and in most cases I get my coolant alarm sounding long before the temp alarm. (this is when I deliberately cause coolant loss by removing hoses whilst running the engine) However the temp alarm does sound before the gauge starts to move. My tests lead me to belive that if ever your gauge starts to move up, it could well be to late even if you happen to spot it moving.

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:55 am

"My tests lead me to belive that if ever your gauge starts to move up, it could well be to late even if you happen to spot it moving".......whilst heading up to perth the other week with the van full of gear plus kids and wife and pulling a trailer with more gear, I spotted my temp guage had passed the usual 11 oclock and was beginning to head up, I was doing around 80 and was on a long incline, as soon as I slowed to 60 the guage returned to normal and has never moved since,..... as the system had only recently been flushed and bled, I think it was me just asking to much of the old thing ....

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 8:12 am

Not sure jimsmimm - other recent threads suggest the Bongo should manage all that and more without the gauge flickering. Might be worth thinking about what it could be (radiator / thermostat seem likely candidates I'd have though). Start your slush fund now!

Mike

Bonza · Post by **Bonza** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:00 am

As Haydn said it really is very easy to fit.

I wrote the original members fact sheet and it was a lot shorter than it is now.

Ian, probably rightly had me modify it to cover nearly every possible Bongo setup complete with as thorough a complete idiots guide as possible. Its quite verbose as a result. Read it once and strike out all the bits you knew about anyway or don't apply to you.

The LED clips in, no sticking or glueing required.

The loss of coolant in the drilling operation is less than a teaspoon if that. Its just like pouring fluid out of a container without a vent. It ain't possible.

If anyone has a problem and Haydn is not available or can't help, then just pm me and I'll phone you back (landline only please).

If anyone is in the south Devon area and wants to check my installation just come on over.

I've been testing it over some really steep hills and rough ground over Dartmoor. No warnings, so I removed some coolant just to check and it checks out a treat. A winner!!!

Regarding temp monitoring. The only really successful method is to monitor rate of change of temp. ie measure what its doing now and what its was doing a few seconds ago and the rate at which it changed. Then you need to find a spot that accurately monitors an area that is significant in relation to possible head damage. None of this is simple or easy and cheap.

Stuart

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 1:22 pm

Only one kit left at the special price.
when it's gone it's gone !!!

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:45 pm

it didn't flicker mike, just started to crawl past the half way mark as soon as I took my foot of the gas it dropped like a stone and I've never had any other episodes .... even sitting in traffic when you think if it was a problomatic radiator, then this is when it'd start to rear its ugly face

... may fit a new radiatior in the off season just to be on the carefull side

djunjon · Post by **djunjon** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:35 pm

Haydn

I reckon this kit is on different posts around here coz I can't see the details.

Interested anyway if the last one is still available. Sent an email as well so hope I get a time stamp!

Cheers

Djunjon

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:22 pm

My kit arrived yesterday (12th) - postmarked 6th (last Friday). So four days (if you don't count the weekend) even though it was sent 1st class and recorded delivery. What's more, I was out all day and it was just pushed through the door so nobody signed for it. First class post? They're having a laugh aren't they?

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:27 pm

That is not good...I paid good money for that crap service.

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:41 pm

I meant to say - I'll fit it as soon as it stops raining. Probably September...

bongolow · Post by **bongolow** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:42 pm

Sunshine today

so it's now fitted. No problems - took me about a couple of hours but I wasn't in a rush.