Bongo Fury

dandywarhol wrote:

mikeonb4c wrote:Turning right last night, I became aware of a whistling sound in the cockpit. I quickly clicked it was the low coolant alarm indicating that the G force of the turn had pulled the coolant level below safety at the sensor position in the tank. It had not happened before. It seems likely I've lost a little bit of coolant. Perhaps a v minor leak. But I have tons of early warning and can now start investigating without worrying too much having the Bongo in normal use. First time it has gone off since fitting it over a year ago. The low coolant alarm gets my vote - every time (and, on long journeys, carrying some water so you can carry on in the event you get a slow leak). And I agree with Oz - an engine block alarm seems the next best one to fit. But the Mason Alarm is a good cheap alternative I think provided whatever goes wrong doesn't involve coolant loss around the Bongo coolant temp. sensor area.

Can't think of any reason that only the area around the sensor would be low in coolant - by the time the coolant level drops to below the sensor the system will have lost a fair bit of coolant...............................................

As to the TM2 - I reckon it'd be a good bit of kit but there's enough happening to keep my eyes on when in traffic, I was trained to keep a watchful eye on mirrors/gauges/road ahead in a constant scan - whether I'd see the TM2 creeping up on me is debatable

Ron Miel wrote:Or you've been building up your G-tolerance Mike, and now think you're a jet jockey Reckon I'll try to fit my sensors at the mid-point of the rear tank wall, if that proves physically possible when we get both Bongo and alarm, so useful input thanks.

haydn callow wrote:If you are up to the FULL line it will not go off except under exceptional circumstances.

Ron Miel wrote:Thanks Mike and Haydn. Wondered if you might say that, and if there's a template I'll certainly use it. Good pearls of wisdom emerging also about top up and expansion levels. No. not really surprised at length of thread Mike, anyway, I've caused quite a lot of it.

We've been in NW 25 years now, from West London/Middlesex and Croydon respectively, and had noted you are not very far away but didn't realise you were also a fellow escapee. Indeed, look forward to a meet. Will PM if/when we're over your way to see if a quick half might be welcome, otherwise am sure we'll find you at a bash soon - also welcome here anytime, of course.

mikeonb4c wrote:Turning right last night, I became aware of a whistling sound in the cockpit. I quickly clicked it was the low coolant alarm indicating that the G force of the turn had pulled the coolant level below safety at the sensor position in the tank. It had not happened before. It seems likely I've lost a little bit of coolant. Perhaps a v minor leak. But I have tons of early warning and can now start investigating without worrying too much having the Bongo in normal use. First time it has gone off since fitting it over a year ago. The low coolant alarm gets my vote - every time (and, on long journeys, carrying some water so you can carry on in the event you get a slow leak). And I agree with Oz - an engine block alarm seems the next best one to fit. But the Mason Alarm is a good cheap alternative I think provided whatever goes wrong doesn't involve coolant loss around the Bongo coolant temp. sensor area.

mikeonb4c wrote:A very good decision Ron (low coolant + TM2).

Dandy - I didn't explain it well enough. Centrifugal force 'lowered the tide' on the side of the reservoir the low coolant sensor was on, so the alarm only went off turning right. However, since it had not been doing that before it must be assumed the level had dropped over time.

dandywarhol wrote:

mikeonb4c wrote:Turning right last night, I became aware of a whistling sound in the cockpit. I quickly clicked it was the low coolant alarm indicating that the G force of the turn had pulled the coolant level below safety at the sensor position in the tank. It had not happened before. It seems likely I've lost a little bit of coolant. Perhaps a v minor leak. But I have tons of early warning and can now start investigating without worrying too much having the Bongo in normal use. First time it has gone off since fitting it over a year ago. The low coolant alarm gets my vote - every time (and, on long journeys, carrying some water so you can carry on in the event you get a slow leak). And I agree with Oz - an engine block alarm seems the next best one to fit. But the Mason Alarm is a good cheap alternative I think provided whatever goes wrong doesn't involve coolant loss around the Bongo coolant temp. sensor area.

mikeonb4c wrote:A very good decision Ron (low coolant + TM2).

Dandy - I didn't explain it well enough. Centrifugal force 'lowered the tide' on the side of the reservoir the low coolant sensor was on, so the alarm only went off turning right. However, since it had not been doing that before it must be assumed the level had dropped over time.

I took it you were talking about the coolant sensor in the head being devoid of coolant in your reply Mike - my reply still stands.............