Bongo Fury

Makes sense Ian..............this is a chicken and egg situation which won't be resolved. The level sensor will detect a loss of coolant from a leaky hose or pipe and as such should not be too far down the expansion tank as to loose too much coolant to make the engine overheat before the sensor sets the alarm bell off. As Ian rightly states, a ruptured head gasket/head will send the coolant thats left to the expansion tank thus not triggering the sensor, meanwhile the engine is rapidly cooking below. all depends what is causing the gasket to blow - Difficult one to call......................

Will not bubbling in the expansion tank trigger it due to discontinuous contact with water? We can hope. Also, Ian and Haydn if you are reading this, I'd prefer an audio warning to a visual one (which could easily be missed). Will the kit be supplied with audio warning (apologies if it says - dont have bumf to had) or can it easily be adapted to use a buzzer instead of a light (simplifies mounting too as I can stuff a buzzer anywhere (no rude suggestions please!)

Mike

The Coolant loss detector has a visual and audible warning as follows-

1. Ignition key in and turn to any position than off (assuming its wired in as per the Bongo fact sheet and the manufacturers instructions) you get a flash of the red warn light and a one second beep.

2. Any loss of coolant between the two stainless steel sensor screws will after 5-7 secs produce a steady red light and a long audible beep until the coolant level is again restored on the upper sensor screw.

Two things happened here during our testing-

1.I removed coolant quickly with a large syringe to uncover the top sensor and the beep starts to slowly build up starting at 4 seconds, full on at 5 -7 seconds with a red light. This allows for spurious warnings, like going up and down a bumpy road or a steep hill. I kept the level exactly at full when cold and no spurious warnings happened at all. The tank has lots of baffles to stop this problem anyway.

2. Haydn ran the engine hot and opened the rad drain ( not recommended ) with the engine running.
A curious thing happens. There is a rapid drop from the tank, enough to bring on a warning, then the coolant level stabilises but the rad keeps draining as the engine block empties. Then there is a gulp, probably as the anti syphon valve in the tank cap allows air in or the head of coolant in the rad system overcomes that from the engine block and the tank drops again. By then the alarm is already ON from the initial rapid loss.

Loss of coolant from the many places in the system is likely, very likely to cause a drop in the tank level. Bubbling of the coolant, if there is at least 4- 7 seconds loss of fluid across the sensor screws will also produce a warning both visual and audible.

Stuart

Ive been driving around for some time now with the preproduction kit fitted and the method of drilling and screwing stainless screws in as sensors has produced no leaks. Don't touch the screws when the engine is hot though! Its fecking hot !

My confidence level has gone up an awful lot with this bit of kit. It may save me a bundle.

Another point about this system.
Hands up all the peeps who overfill their coolant tank just in case? Allowing of course for the small bit of expansion that takes place.
Absolutely not necessary with this kit.
You could even keep the level just slightly above the top sensor and just experiment at what level you don't get spurious warnings.

The nervous overfilling of the coolant tank just adds a pint that probably would do little to top up the system in the event of a burst pipe. In fact it delays giving you a warning. Remember its an expansion tank, not a spare coolant tank.

Cheers
Stuart

That explains things better for me Bonza - looks like you've been doing pretty extensive testing.

Sounds absolutely excellent. Thanks to all who've worked so hard o it. Cant wait to get mine. Hope the wiring is simple for us non-leckies?

Before any of you take the plunge, I will be posting the instructions in the fact-sheets section of the members-only section of main website. Probably on Monday.

Anybody not happy fitting one of these kits,(it's DEAD easy) if you can make to Somerton I will fit it for you.

I might even take you up on that Haydn. Any excuse to get out in the Bongo

Thanks again to you, Bonza, Ian and others I may have omitted. This is my kind of bling bling.

Mike

Latest news on this. Because of the interest in this product, we have managed to get a further reduction in prices. Revised prices will be:

£58.50 for first 20 confirmations.
£73.75 for club members
£79.50 full retail price.

All prices are fully inclusive. The kits come with fitting instructions.

So far 10 people have reserved kits at the introductory price. Haydn will be in touch with these people with payment details.

If anyone else wants a kit at the introductory price, PM or email me.

By the way, 17 people have voted that they want one of these in advance, but only 10 have PMd or emailed me. The remaining 7.....please get in touch so we can get this going.

I wrote the fact sheet for fitting the Coolant loss detector kit.

If any one wants help please pm me here and I will explain all.

Some owners may have reservations about drilling holes in their coolant expansion tank especially when its full!

Follow the instructions and the spill from the top hole during drilling is virtually nil and from the bottom hole (ops, didn't mean to be filthy!) is a dribble. So use a rag or towel.

When you drill, the tank material winds it self out from the drill,so little if any swarf enters the coolant tank. Certainly no more than a speck or two. Your coolant system will already have far, far more than this wandering around the system. Removing the tank and draining will mean possible bleeding. It just isn't necessary.

I practised drilling a spare tank that Haydn supplied to determine optimum sizes for different screws. Also we introduced a razor blade(supplied in the kit) to trim off the tank face at the drill hole to ensure a good water tight fit for the sensor screw. It works very well.

I now have a heavily drilled spare tank that I offer to anyone who wants
say, a small offcut (1 inch square) to trial drill.

If anyone wants to take up this offer I will cut up the tank into small squares and post off to members to use. Please PM me here and I'll give you my address. A SAE is required.

Let me say that its not necessary really to trial drill but I would hate to see anyone bugger it all up. IT IS REALLY EASY PEASY TO DO AND RESULTS ARE SUCCESSFUL EVERYTIME.

Stuart

The Kits are well on the way from Oz. I have been expecting them for a few days now, perhaps the floods/customs are delaying things. As soon as they arrive I will make them up and package them and get the first 10 stright off to the first 10 customers. Another 20 kits have just left Oz so if you are not in the first 10 you shouldn't have to wait long. I will send each kit on reciept of £58.50.n If you want to speed things up a little you can contact me by PM or e mail [email protected] to arrange payment anytime.
1. bongalong
2. Nick Skidmore
3. Brian Taylor
4. Vincent Lowe
5. mikeonb4c
6. patmckenna
7. Alan Wicks (barnet Al)
8. David Waynforth (nfn)
9. francophile
10. Geoff Hall
--------------------------------
11. phil 1
12. harpo 42
13. jimsmimm
14. petebee
15. ChrisEmm
16.
17.
18.
19.
20. bongomaster

If anyone thinks they should be on this list please let me know. When the next 4 kits are confirmed at the introductory price the kits from No21 on will cost members £73.75 and all others £79.50.

If you are on the list and don't think you should be please also let me know.

Haydn Callow U.K. Agent for ENGINESAVER Coolant Alarms

Only 4 alarm kits left at the introductory, never to be repeated price of £58.50 all inclusive. Delivered to your home. Spend an hour fitting it and the rest of your Bongo ownership knowing your coolant level is being constantly monitored.