Low coolant level alarm

[mauricem]

I have followed a couple of threads on this already but none have been conclusive so here goes...

Recently acquired a 97 Disco TDI and as I have previously cooked an engine on another vehicle by failing to notice the temp gauge and hearing reports about how quickly this engine can be stuffed I thought it may be money well spent to install some sort of audible buzzer(idiot :oops: ) alarm.

I've got a client who runs a wholesale radiator business, a very cluey guy who owes me a few favours and he recommended a sensor kit for about $120 with about $80 labor to remove and refit the radiator. He reckons the sensor should go in the front of the radiator about 50mm from the top hence the need to remove radiator.

Other threads have spoken about fitting to the reservoir cap but doesnt the level of the reservoir fluctuate quite abit whilst driving and at low tide would trigger alarm. Its for this reason my mate recommended fitting directly to the radiator

Im wondering though about other options and if Id be better spending the money on replacing the hoses more frequently. How common is it for a maintained Disco to drop a hose or suffer a catastrophic water pump failure?

Any suggestions or alternatives out there'? Has someone actually fitted a particular kit they could recommend or other?

thanks
Maurice

[101RRS]

Just wrote you a great reply - but then internet explorer spat the dummy and I lost the lot.

The product sounds like Aqua - Alert. I have just fitted one to a V12 Jag for the same reason as you are interested in fitting one.

The sensor needs to go in the radiator - in the top tank (appreciate some Discos like S2 v8s do not have a top tank in their radiators) - only a small hole is needed and the sensor is self sealing without the need to remove the radiator - well most of the time anyway - but be guided by your expert.

The fluid level in the expansion tank does rise and fall hence the reason for putting the sensor in the radiator - near the top. The radiator should be full all the time and if the expansion tank has emptied and the radiator level getting lower then there is some sort of isue - hence the alarm. I suggest piggy backing a bright flashing LED on the pizo alarm.

Do the alternatives you have suggested but I believe these aqua alarms are cheap insurance against unlnown loss of coolant - the temp guage will happily sit on Normal while the engine is cooking itself - the sensor will only work when it is in coolant - not warm air.

Hope this helps.

Gazz

[UncleHo]

The Bus company that I worked for Fitted them to the entire fleet after a couple of Drovers(i mean Drivers) cooked the engines style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif so after a couple of $??,000 engine rebuilds all were fitted with the alarms coupled to warning lights AND buzzers style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif no more overheated /cooked engines, A temp guage /sender needs water to work, NO WATER- NO WORKI style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

A dud head-gasket will drain a radiator quite well on a long run and that cooking smell does take time to filter into the cabin. :oops:

[matbor]

Let us know if there is a web link so I can get one style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif


Matt.

[MacMan]

I'd be interested in learning more about these kits. My Disco will do some serious miles for work over the coming 12 months, and all precautions are worthwhile IMHO.

Any links of people to speak to?

[PhilipA]

A cheaper alternative may be to buy a Range Rover reservoir cap although I am not sure that they are the same as the later Discos.
It does NOT give false alarms, and the reservoir is above the radiator and empties first. It also gives prior notice of a slow leak which a header tank one will not as the reservoir will be empty before it gets to the header..
You could add a buzzer , but in a Range Rover at least the red light gets your attention. It gets mine anyway.
You also do not have to have holes drilled in the radiator, a potential source of a leak.
Reagrds Philip A

[LRHybrid100]

G'day Philip,

I've been thinking this way also, as my RR had the metal header tank with the warning light on the dash, but now I have the TDI motor and use the Disco plastic header tank.

Did the later RR (say 1993+) use the plastic tank with the sensor in them?

If they did then this would be the go,well atleast for me!!!

LRH

[LRHybrid100]

aha - just checked my EPC and the later RR Classics (to LA647644) seems all to still use the same plastic resevoir but had a pressure cap with a low level coolant sensor in it!!!

The LR part number is PRC7925 (LR list price of $186.46, but know I can get them for just over $100)

Not sure if this helps anyone else, but could sure help some owners.

LRH

[Defender200Tdi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>and the reservoir is above the radiator and empties first[/b][/quote]

Not quite. The top of the header tank may be above the top of the radiator, but the fluid level is the same in both, at least it is for all those with the plastic tank. This being a header tank, not an expansion tank, means that it will always have the same level of coolant as the radiator.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Did the later RR (say 1993+) use the plastic tank with the sensor in them?[/b][/quote]

Yes, and it's a direct replacement for the cap on all Discos etc. I have one and intend to fit it to my Defender. The cap fits, no problem, I just haven't got around to wiring it in. Ihave it sitting there for over 6 months but keep getting side tracked onto other jobs. :roll:


In the past it has been mentioned that a coolant sensor should be fitted in the thermostat housing because the 300Tdi has a handy plug there that could be replaced. However, this is the worst place to fit a coolant level sensor because it is the last place that will reflect a low coolant level when the engine is running. The radiator can be almost empty but there will still be a full level of coolant at the thermostat if the pump is running.



Paul style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[shaunp]

Auto Electrically suplies at Moss st Slacks Creek sell a kit for about $50 from memory.

[one_iota]

http://www.fdrive.com.au/docs/datatron_coo...level_flyer.pdf (http://www.fdrive.com.au/docs/datatron_coolant_level_flyer.pdf)

Interestingly it shows a Discovery on the first page.

Don't know the price.

[LRHybrid100]

but the Datatron is plugged into the top of the radiator - header tank and thermostat housing a much higher, so they could be dry for a while until the alarm on the radiator goes off?

Is this correct?

LRH

[one_iota]

I am unsure of this too.

How much coolant do you lose before the header tank is empty and the low level is registered at the radiator? A litre or two in a total of eleven maybe?.

My humble view is that this device is for traumatic events where there is a sudden and serious loss of coolant and not a substitute for checking your coolant level on a regular basis. When the alarm goes off you stop immediately while there is still some coolant in the system not just because the level in the header tank is 1mm below the optimum.

[cols110]

http://www.overland.co.za/Land_Rover/Warni...ng_circuit.html (http://www.overland.co.za/Land_Rover/Warning_Systems/Johan_Strumpfer/warning_circuit.html)

Have a look at this set up, might be of some interest to you.

[JohnE]

Col
Your african link looks the easiest. When my water pump gasket sprug a leak, the only way I could tell was by constantly checking the header tank, I guess if that level goes down there is a problem.

Good Idea.
Now who can get their hands on a bulk order of those RR caps.

john

[Defender200Tdi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>How much coolant do you lose before the header tank is empty and the low level is registered at the radiator? A litre or two in a total of eleven maybe?. [/b][/quote]

Coolant loss through the system will immediately show in the header tank. The level of the coolant in the header tank is exactly the same as the level in the radiator.

The loss of coolant will show up last at the thermostat whilst the engine is running.


Paul style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif