Low coolant alarm?

[radste]

Hi all,
could you please tell me what type of Low coolant alarm you are running
in your P38's.

Could I please also have some installation pic's & advice as I cannot find anything that relate's to our P38's.

The car in question is a 2001 HSE with 225km's.

Thank's in advance,
Steve.

[p38arover]

I have fitted a Little Black Box with a float switch.

Home (http://www.littleblackbox.co.za/)

Installation: http://www.littleblackbox.co.za/Range_Rover_P38A_EMS_Fitment.pdf

Contact Jan (The Entertainer) on this forum.

[TheTree]

Hi

I have recently researched this and there seem to be a few options;

1) Late model RR classic cap has an sensor in it.

2) BMW coolant tank which includes a sensor (check rr.net for details)

3) BMW sensor fitted to rangie coolant tank.

4) Little black box or other engine temperature systems.

5) DIY sensors.

I like the idea of an engine temperature monitor, but I don't want yet another display and box i need to find somewhere to mount !

I have decided to go wiht a DIY sensor, so I purchased this kit

LOW Water Level Alarm 12V Built AND Tested | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170625538466)

It allows me to add an LED plus a buzzer which can be added to my dash without major mods and without a box to mount somewhere.

I have a couple of 75mm stainless steel self tappers which i intend to put through the top of the coolant tank. If it is going to leak, better steam than water i figure!

I will take pics when i do it and let the forum know

Steve

[p38arover]

I have a couple of 75mm stainless steel self tappers which i intend to put through the top of the coolant tank. If it is going to leak, better steam than water i figure!



My Little Black Box (LBB ) came with a SS screw for water level detection. It was unreliable so I fitted the float valve.

One reason I went with the LBB was that it monitored more than water level. The overheat alarm on a P38A is a tiny red light that is almost impossible to see in daylight. I was going to put an audible alarm across that light the next time I have the instrument binnacle out.

[Robsrod 58]

I use this one as recommended by Stuart a G Cooper. It works well and self tests on ignition.

Rob

LOW Water Level Alarm 12 24V | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LOW-WATER-LEVEL-ALARM-12-24V-/251273210249?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a810ce989&_uhb=1)

[TheTree]

Hi,

I looked at a few float valves, but the plastic ones only seem to be rated to around 80 degrees, plus there was the issue of how to fit it.

False alarms may be an issue, in which case i may need to add a delay timer as detailed on rr.net

I intend to put the buzzer just under my dash, and the (very bright) LED somewhere pretty noticeable!

I don't think hooking it up to the low windscreen washer alarm is such a good idea either.

Steve

[p38arover]

The temp rating of the float valve doesn't seem to have been an issue - I've had mine for over 5 years.

The unreliability of the probes seemed to be related to water conductivity as it used a single screw in the tank and the current path was from that to chassis/engine block.

[TheTree]

Hi

It is worth reading this thread

Coolant Level Sensor (http://www.rangerovers.net/forum/7-range-rover-mark-ii-p38/9229-coolant-level-sensor.html)

and the associated ones ;-)

Steve

[TheTree]

The temp rating of the float valve doesn't seem to have been an issue - I've had mine for over 5 years.

The unreliability of the probes seemed to be related to water conductivity as it used a single screw in the tank and the current path was from that to chassis/engine block.

Ron,

I thought maybe there were some more highly rated ones available, there are stainless steel versions i saw.

The system i got uses 2 screws, so it may be more reliable, I imagine the current path a single screw requires could be a bit iffy !

Regards
Steve

[p38arover]

The temp rating of the float valve doesn't seem to have been an issue - I've had mine for over 5 years.



I see from the RR.net threads that I fitted the LBB IN 2007.

[wayneg]

I have fitted one of the $2 float sensors from ebay. After an initial hic-cup all is good and I would not be without it. Saved the engine once when the water pump gave up on a beach.
My 1st attempt was to put the whole sender in the expansion tank with just a hole for the wires. This worked for a few months but it started to loose insulation and I started to get false alarms. I then used a slightly different sender and fitted it onto the wall of the tank below the filler cap. This is still going strong with out problem. I like the fact that the warning goes off when very little coolant is lost as the sensor is at the highest point of the system and not in the top hose or there abouts. Total cost was about $10 for the sender, 2x flashing leds in housings and a 5 pin relay. Would be the very 1st job I did on a P38 if I was to get another.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range-rover/112871-low-coolant-alarm.html

[TheTree]

I have fitted one of the $2 float sensors from ebay.

Out of curiosity, how long was the float switch you used?

Steve

[TheTree]

I see from the RR.net threads that I fitted the LBB IN 2007.

Ron

It's good to know that the float switches survive, a "plan b" for my rangie :D

Steve

[wayneg]

This is the one I used which still works fine.

New Liquid Water Level Sensor Right Angle Float Switch | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Liquid-Water-Level-Sensor-Right-Angle-Float-Switch-/320919814015?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab84fbf7f)

[WilkoP38A]

Hi. I put in the v8 model from "Dave's interesting things"

http://www.davesitshop.com/davesitshop/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=30

I'm not sure which one it was but it isn't listed on the web site. Just send an email and you will get pointed to the right one. Definately works and has saved me twice, both times I had burst hoses. Once I was waiting at a servo to pump up the tyres when it started screaming and the other time I started the car in the morning and got the same warning. It is money well spent.

Easy to fit with a hose joiner piece that fits in the top radiator hose ( cut the hose and insert the hose joiner with electrode going through to the coolant inside.) and a couple of wires with a small alarm and light that sit behind the dash.

Cheers
Wilko

[p38arover]

The temp rating of the float valve doesn't seem to have been an issue - I've had mine for over 5 years.

The unreliability of the probes seemed to be related to water conductivity as it used a single screw in the tank and the current path was from that to chassis/engine block.

I've since found out from Chris Fox of Little Black Box that I should have had two screws into the tank, spaced about 20-30mm apart with one of them connected to a body ground.

I've now done that and it is now reliably alarming on low coolant level.

[TheTree]

HI

I used two 316 Stainless screws as my probes and they have worked well so far, the odd false blip from the alarm under hard braking :wasntme:

Steve