Wanted - Defender TD5 Expansion Tank

[BilboBoggles]

Hi All,

I'm looking for a cheap used TD5 Expansion tank, I'm planning to fit a low coolant sensor to the my existing tank - and I want one to test with. Has anyone got one kicking around?

Bilbo.

[justinc]

Have you priced a new one yet? AFAIR they are only around $20:o

JC

[oldyella 76]

Bilbo, I put a low water sensor in my td5 and did not place it in the expansion tank. I got a 50mm length of stainless tube blanked the top and bottom I then welded a bit of 15mm S.S. tube into the bottom. At the top I welded a bit of threaded brass to accept the sensor and at the side of the top I welded a smaller bit of pipe to accept the size of the breather hose that goes to the top of the Exp.tank. I mounted the S.S. tube on the flat plate on the clutch? bracket. This allowed me to adjust the height of the sensor. I cut the hose at the bottom of the expansion tank,put a tee piece in and plumbed it to the bottom of a stainless steel tube where I had the 15 mm s.s.pipe welded. The hose that goes to the top of the expansion tank I cut and tee'd and joined it to the top of the S.steel at the top to the small pipe. Screw the sensor in and wire up and presto. The advantage of this system is that if you change vehicles you can pull this out in 10 mins. I have photos if you need pm me and I will email then to you as I can't attach them. (I have tried)

[Yorkshire_Jon]

Whats wrong with removing the bleed screw in the top hose and replacing it with a coolant sensor?

First place the water will disappear from is the top hose - no welding or anything...

[BilboBoggles]

Thanks for the replies.

I priced one up at MLR and it was $33 brand new!!!! Thanks for the tip - I was expecting $200 or more.

I wanted to measure the water level before the water dropped below the top coolant hose, as I understand it once the coolant has dropped in the top hose then the coolant has stopped flowing. Whereas measuring the level in the expansion tank will give a warning before the coolant has dropped below the top hose level and stopped flowing. (Or perhaps I am mistaken).

I also want to integrate this new sensor into the existing temperature watchdog I have. And that requires just a normally open contact. I have a industrial minature float switch that I think will do the trick.

oldyella 76 - Thanks for the tip - I would be interested in seeing some photos. (But having a 2 week old baby and 2 under 4 year olds in the house make it tough to find time to make something like that)

[oldyella 76]

Make sure you have it attached to the header tank or somewhere high. All sensors that I know of are attached to header tanks. The reasons are that it will give you an early indication of water leaks. My unit has a 6 second delay on it before it squeels this will prevent it from going off if there is a surge in the tank. The td5 is too expensive to do up and the air bleed valve is too close to the action.