you are going to need one of these

[Big Rich]

I Recently had a hose develop a pin hole, and missed the gauge rize and fall resulting in a cracked head, now i have a new head fitted, i was never going to let this happen again, so trawling through the Austrailian ebay i found this little gizzmo, it digitally monitors the engine temp, and you set the alarm sound temp, NO DRILLING SAWING AND HEAVY WIRING just black to earth red to ignition feed and bolt the lug to the side of the block, or any conveniant bolt hole, and your up and running, works great on the bench. I will be fitting it in next week so more info and photos cost around £55 and took 2 weeks for delivery
Best regards Rich

http://www.sig.itel.net







Aftermarket Engine Temperature Gauge & ((( Audible ))) Engine Overheating Alarm.

FIRST CLASS engine protection for ALL Car ,Truck & Marine Engines.

Engine Watchdog TM2 is an ideal aftermarket engine temperature gauge and audible overheating alarm, that will prevent premature and costly car engine replacement and engine rebuilds. The TM2 detects ALL car coolant system problems that are causes of car engine overheating, including engine coolant leaks. It will quickly warn you with a led warning LIGHT and BUZZER if any engine overheating occurs.

The LED digital engine temperature gauge with its built in audible alarm mounts in the cab, while the engine temperature sensor fits in seconds to the engine (see fitting instructions).

To set the alarm, you simply read the highest car temperature on the display and then just set the alarm temperature a few degrees higher using the push button on the front panel. It simple and it works!

[haydn callow]

I have one of these fitted. Please see other topic (engine monitoring gauges) for info and thoughts.

[Big Rich]

looks like its one of the same ..... the main point i like is its totally independent of the bongo's monitoring system. Giving full block / water temp on its digital display and it can also monitor your oil light via its spare orange fly leed if required. and lets not forget its quite a lot cheaper than some monitors on the market, also a doddle to fit no fiddling behind the dash or clocks out ! it gets a 10 out of 10 from me Regds Rich

[haydn callow]

it does not give water temp. Just the metal temp at the point you fit it.

[Big Rich]

monitoring water temp is fundementaly flawed .... when you have missed the point of boil and there is no water left in your system the damage is already done, you only need a little loss of water, and your core temp will rise, 2 deg is all it takes to trip the alarm, this system is used in the Australian outback for years and proved to be much more reliable than trying to monitor water temp or levels Rich

[Big Rich]

Water temp is incidental you can cool an engine with air or oil as in the deutz engine 1011 f or VW
It’s the heat that kills the engine not the lack of water so why try it monitor the water ?? Also you can monitor any part you can bolt to …stat housing or just about anywhere on the engine block Rich

[Big Rich]

I could also see it in use for the auto box, to keep an eye on gearbox and the transmission fluid temp when towing big loads..this little bugger is so good it will keep an close eye on an air cooled VW in the outback desert oh god why was it not my idea ! Regards Rich ps also don't like the idea of drilling holes header tanks

[clogger]

i have one of these bolted directly to my cylinder head
had it on there about 3 months now

have been plenty of threads regarding these
quite surprising the variant in temperature depending on conditions etc
but imho good investment if a little scary at first

[Bonza]

looks like its one of the same ..... the main point i like is its totally independent of the bongo's monitoring system. Giving full block / water temp on its digital display and it can also monitor your oil light via its spare orange fly leed if required. and lets not forget its quite a lot cheaper than some monitors on the market, also a doddle to fit no fiddling behind the dash or clocks out ! it gets a 10 out of 10 from me Regds Rich

Few points Rich-

1. Its good (your temp device) BUT it doesnt monitor water temp directly.
Youve got to chose a relevent hot spot on the engine. No guessing with Haydns device.

2. Haydns price to members on the first batch of Coolant detectors was very good value, certainly competitive with the temp sensor.

3. The Coolant detector is a doddle to fit. Fiddling behind the clocks was a method some chose as an option. Quite nice actually!

4. No calibration or set up is required with the Coolant detector after fitting.

5. The temp sensor makes an ideal extra added to the Coolant detector.

Lots of info already on this sensor on the forum.

Cheers
Bonza

[haydn callow]

I will just recap on my experience of both alarm systems.
In every case that I deliberatly attempted to raise the temp of my engine by simulating a sudden coolant loss, the coolant loss alarm went off within seconds. If I allowed the coolant to drip away overnight the alarm went off as soon as the ingnition was switched on next morning.
I belive coolant loss is the cause of the vast majority of overheating problems.
Another cause of overheating is a defective head or gasket (probably caused in the first place by a coolant loss or not bleeding properly) This overheating would indeed be picked up by the temp sensor rather than the coolant loss alarm. However, on balance, with a good ,well bled engine in the first place, I belive the loss alarm will give the best protection. If the temp sensor is also fitted there is a chance it will prevent damage in the few cases overheating is not caused by coolant loss.

[Big Rich]

As I was saying before monitoring the water temp / loss is fundamentally flawed .... when you have missed the point of boil and there is no water left in your system the damage is already done you have hit the nail on the head that your system is unable to warn the driver of any one of these problems below which will bugger up the engine quicker than a fox in a hen house!
BLOCKED RADIATOR = NO WARNING STUCK STAT = NO WARNING
LOSS OF ENGINE OIL OR PRESSURE = NO WARNING HIGH OUTSIDE TEMP AND HEAVY TOWING = NO WARNING WATER PUMP FAILURE = NO WARNING SLIPPING BELT = NO WARNING so why go down the “lets look at the water level” route The common denominator is H-E-A-T they ALL put the engine temperature up, near instantly giving you visual and audible warning, so simple and reliable. Please note I am not trying to market them just singing there praises, can I ask is your endeavors for the good of the club members or a commercial venture for yourself ?

[francophile1947]

can I ask is your endeavors for the good of the club members or a commercial venture for yourself ?

Let's not have a slanging match here - that is not the point of this forum

[Big Rich]

Hi John point taken, thanks for bringing me to my senses, sorry if I have upset any viewing members, I’ll say no more on the heating / cracked heads and lie low for awhile regards Richard

[Peg leg Pete]

Richard please do not lie low, your very valid points of view are appreciated, each member has a right to their say

[francophile1947]

Thanks Richard
It's easy to get carried away and I'm sure we've all been guilty at some time.
Both systems have their merits and, even if Haydn does make money out of his system, he has put a lot of work in to it - also, if you look through the threads, he has provided a lot of useful and free advice to many people.
We are a friendly lot and like to keep it that way.
Don't lay low - all helpful posts gratefully received.