Bongo Fury

I was wandering whether a side entry float could be used in the header tank with a buzzer or led connected to indicate a low water situation. Here is a link to what I mean
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-St ... cdIx-QcuLw

Any thoughts as to whether this is a practical solution as its very easy to install and would cost under £10.

Not sure you will find sufficient room, the animated image from Steve Widdowson's work;

Doubt very much there would be space for it inside, also I doubt it could seal and not leak under pressure.

Geoff's answer explains why this won't work really well. There are baffle plates all across the header tank. are you aware there are several low water alarms already out there that will do the job very well. This one from Haydn is the one that I have used and it works very well saved my new head gasket just last week! http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk/shop/inde ... roductId=3

Thanks for the heads up about the baffles etc, I still think a float system may work using a vertical float -- see example:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liquid-Sensor- ... bullets_id

I know there are other proven alternatives but I'm not keen on using self tappers.

Interesting idea.

Might be worth finding a used/scrap header tank and trying it out before you commit to drilling yours.

Idealy fit and pressure test.

And welcome to BF.

Jsmith125 wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2019 12:47 pm Thanks for the heads up about the baffles etc, I still think a float system may work using a vertical float -- see example:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liquid-Sensor- ... bullets_id

I know there are other proven alternatives but I'm not keen on using self tappers.

Well over 10,000 of these voltage sensitive alarms have been fitted using self tappers of the correct size and quality, not one has failed. On the other hand when we were developing a Low Coolant Alarm along with long standing members of this forum 10/12 ago, years we did trial some float type alarms and because of the lack of internal space and you cannot get a nut on the inside it always ended in failure. I’m afraid all you will do is ruin your tank.
I had a tank on my Bongo with 8 screws fitted trying out various different alarms, that was 10 years ago and the tank is still in use.

Thanks Bob.... I was actually thinking of installing a float switch in the filler cap, that way no damage to the header tank and only a new cap if it fails. There are so many types of floats to choose from which may not have been readily available 10/12 years ago, thank you Amazon!

The cap is a pressure cap and a important part of the cooling system......I think a float level switch in a Bongo header tank is a non starter and you should reconsider your aversion to the self tapping screw sensor.....even if you do get to fit one, how do you know it has not got stuck and won’t drop with the coolant level ?
If you fit any alarm and it failed it could easily cost you £2000.
P.s. how can you fit anything in the pressure cap without destroying it ?

Which engine do you have ?

Do a search on here ....float switch......it’s all been tried

Haydn - quite right this has done the rounds, I see 'graham at work' had a float system that worked for him. Interesting subject matter..... FYI Geof I have a 2.5td.

I like the look of this .......
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DIGITAL-TEMP ... .l4275.c10

Brilliant - thats a big saving, out of interest where did you fit the sensor?

Jsmith125 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2019 6:24 pm I was wandering whether a side entry float could be used in the header tank with a buzzer or led connected to indicate a low water situation. Here is a link to what I mean
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-St ... cdIx-QcuLw

Any thoughts as to whether this is a practical solution as its very easy to install and would cost under £10.

You could fit an ultrasonic sensor, no need to drill tank it simply fits on the outside of the tank and only cost a couple of quid.