Coolant Loss Detection Kit: Advance Orders Now Being Taken

Post by **Ian** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:24 pm

Many thanks to Haydn and Stuart for the work they have put in on sourcing, testing and refining these kits. Testing is now complete, and these kits will be available shortly.

The kit works by attaching a probe in the expansion tank. If as little as half a litre of coolant is lost, an alarm comes on in the cab. Although this kit will not prevent overheating, it will act as an early warning system, allowing the driver to realise that he or she is experiencing coolant loss, and can take remedial action before it's too late.

There is no requirement to drain and refill the coolant during the fitting of the probe.

Earlier forum discussions can be found here:

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... hp?t=11068
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... hp?t=11517

The manufacturers website can be found here:

http://www.enginesaver.com.au/

We are now entering negotiations with the manufacturers about supplying us with custom made kits for Bongos. This is compliacted by rules regarding the import of electrical components from non-EU countries, and the import duty that has to be paid. We also have to buy in suitable quantities to make the project worthwhile.

If we get enough interest, the likely retail price including VAT and postage is likely to be in the region of £70. However, if you want to make a definite commitment to the purchase of these kits, the first 20 orders will receive a 25% discount.

All comments gratefully received.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 8:30 pm

I'll have one, and pay in advance.

clogger · Post by **clogger** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:00 pm

now i don`t wanna tread on anyones toes here
i think the idea is sound

this will tell you of coolant loss
you say it will not warn you of overheating

most engines/cylinderheads seem to be damaged by overheating

if the coolant is boilng over and usually bubbles up thru the expansion tank
surely it will still be warning that all is fine as the expansion bottle will still be full and the engine will be emptying of coolant and heating up

well thats my idea anyway if i`m wrong no worries just a thought

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:06 pm

clogger wrote:now i don`t wanna tread on anyones toes here
i think the idea is sound

this will tell you of coolant loss
you say it will not warn you of overheating

most engines/cylinderheads seem to be damaged by overheating

if the coolant is boilng over and usually bubbles up thru the expansion tank
surely it will still be warning that all is fine as the expansion bottle will still be full and the engine will be emptying of coolant and heating up

well thats my idea anyway if i`m wrong no worries just a thought

i said sumat similar.........to me basically its a lazymans coolant/water checker

, dont think it went down to well

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:07 pm

Bottle will be full of bubbles as opposed to water - better safe than sorry.

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:12 pm

When I had overheating problems my expansion bottle was always overflowing, so It may be of help when you first start up and levels have dropped. I always lift bonnet and physically check level. I sincerely hope that the device does prevent cylinder head problems

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:13 pm

francophile1947 wrote:Bottle will be full of bubbles as opposed to water - better safe than sorry.

not saying it wont work, but i just think its over kill.

Post by **Ian** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:44 pm

Peg leg Pete wrote:. I sincerely hope that the device does prevent cylinder head problems

It's not designed for that. It's designed to give a warning when you have a pinprick problem on your hose or a fine spray coming out from the long metal pipe. These are just about undetectable as the tell tale signs evaporate, and you can easily lose 500cl of coolant without realising it. But if an alarm goes off in your cab, it will stop you running the system dry.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:54 pm

See recent topic..Gurggling(bubbling)coolant water....This alarm would have prewarned this event. See lower down the topic when he states "coolant lower than low"
This alarm will not prevent all cases of overheating, What it does do is give you a ALARM warning if only a little coolant is lost from the header tank. This I feel would cover most cases where coolant loss leads to overheating. When the tank bubbles the engine has not reached the meltdown point, coolant is lost before this is reached.
Yes it could be used as a lazy mans top up reminder...whats wrong with that?? At least when you switch on one morning it will ALARM and stop you from driving off with low coolant levels with what could be dire results.
I have one fitted, it gives me confidance that I may be prewarned of impending disaster.
The first 20 customers will get a kit from Ian for about £55. It's insurance that could save you £2000 plus

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:10 pm

I'm going to get one. Seems to me otherwise that I'll be constantly wondering if/when some hose is going to let go without me realising it until my gauge goes off the scale. I know I'm not going to check my header tank regularly, and at my age and in my condition I dont need the stress of a near meltdown.

So thanks Haydn, Stuart & Ian. This one gets my vote.

Next up. Radioactive water and geiger counter set up so leakage point can be identified and reported to driver without them leaving the driving seat.

Aahhhhh, stretch, yawn. note to self - must fit cruise control.

Mike

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:23 pm

Trouble is that when your guage goes off the scale it is often to late even if you do happen to spot it. Also very soon after hitting HOT it will move back towards cool as the temp sensor takes it's info from coolant. once that has gone it has nothing to measure.

bongalong · Post by **bongalong** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:29 pm

i'd have one of these. i got a pin prick in the metal pipe during a 4 hour motorway drive. not fun.

Bonza · Post by **Bonza** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:38 pm

I've been been test installing and refining this kit along with Haydn. I've also written an installation sheet specific to the Bongo/Freda.

As we all know, failures of the coolant system can be for a number of reasons like a blockage, split pipes, block radiator, pump failure etc. Having a warning system to detect any of these failures is possible but would be complicated and very expensive.

Drawing on the experience of the designer it was eventually decided to monitor the expansion tank coolant level. Baffles inside the tank do not easily allow a float system.

The coolant loss detector is a simple to fit bit of kit.

You can check the coolant level as much as you like but I've now got a chance of knowing if my coolant dumps for whatever reason while on the road.

It also self tests on start up to ensure the expansion tank is full of coolant.

If I get time to pull up and shutdown the engine hopefully before any damage is done then I've got a chance of saving the engine maybe.

Stuart

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:54 pm

quote="haydn callow"] Yes it could be used as a lazy mans top up reminder...whats wrong with that?? The first 20 customers will get a kit from Ian for about £55. It's insurance that could save you £2000 plus [/quote]

nothing wrong with that, but like i said I THINK its overkill, and at £55 then goes up to whatever price you or ian decide to sell them just to tell you, you have lost a bit of water is OVERKILL like all the idots on ebay that say mazda bongo torch .....fits under the glove box to replace the flare £15, go to lidl or netto , same one £1, ect end of the day untill it actually solves overheating, (kacking the head) to me its a waste of money, and its preying on the fears of bongo owners, especially those who doesnt know anything about a bongos ie new bongo owners, or new to the forum.or the people that will buy the torch just because its got mazda bongo in the thread.

yes you may think you have tried to solve the problem what alot of ppl have had trouble with in the past, but IMHO you havent,all you have done is had a fluid sensing device made up and described it as thoe its helping to solve the problem, so to be honest, i think its a waste of money as ian states it just to detect if you have a pin prick in a pipe?

just out of curiosity, how many overheating problems have been caused by a pin prick in a hose? assuming you have done a bit of research?, i am led to believe that most peoples overheating is actually blocked rads ect, i may be wrong but i am just going on the post i have read.

well anyway this is my view i have told you what i think, it may have sounded arrogant the way i said "lazy mans top up reminder lol" but it wasnt meant to be, its just what i see it has

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 11:59 pm

You're right in a way, Waycar. But for me, this is my equivalent of chrome wing mirror covers (I'd like those too mind you). Not exactly necessary, but I get a good feeling knowing I have one fitted. And at my age its getting important to do stuff that makes me feel good

Mike

Coolant Loss Detection Kit: Advance Orders Now Being Taken

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Coolant Loss Detection Kit: Advance Orders Now Being Taken