Oh and by the way, my quality Volvo 240 had identical, quality VDO guages.
w
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The LPG converter was very old and the heating passages sprung a small leak through corrosion which allowed coolant to get sucked into the fuel mix - while the engine was running the small amount of coolant didn't seem to upset combustion and very slowly the coolant was being "burnt" in the engine unknown to me driving along. The alarm went off as the level dropped alerting me to the issue. With coolant in the combustion chambers it wouldn't start and had to get a tow home via the NRMA.
My sensor in my 101 is set up high in the top radiator hose (maybe a little too high) so any drop in coolant level is detected immediately.
My unit - seller contact details on the front (at the time I got mine many years ago was an AULRO member)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/03/561.jpg
This one[wink11]
Low Water Alarm Sensor
Alternative to consider.... I put a digital coolant gauge in my 6x6. Its the style where you cut the top hose and put a sleeve in it with the sensor in it... yes it's two more hose clamps to fail but it has an alarm buzzer for overheat. And if you lost coolant you would see the probe sitting at ambient rather than 88+ degrees. (It's also handy to see when your thermostat opens).
I put this in after fully refreshing the cooling system (including a recore of the radiator) and still had high temps. Turns out my vdo gauge was stuffed and reading high
Hi Gooloo,
I was thinking about the fitting aspect as the Redarc kit comes with a brass bush...i guess to be soldered into the header tank.
A top hose joint was something else i was considering but where would one obtain a connection.....would i be better off going to a radiator shop for a header tank refurb and bush install
Ta
W
I'm also a fan of the TM2 Engine Saver/Engine Watchdog units. Have them on 3 vehicles and prevented a cooked engine on one of them.
Situation was a hot day, crawling in peak hour traffic (so watching idiots not gauges) and a thermostat failure. Thermostat was only 6 months old and fitted at the same time as the reconditioned head. It stuck just slightly open. I'm sure I would have cooked the engine if the alarm hadn't alerted me.
Mine are the type without the low coolant sensor, and I'm reasonably comfortable with that since the sensor measures head temperature and I set the alarm only a few degrees above the normal peak temp (less than 100degC on all 3 vehicles) so any slight increase in temp for any reason sets off the alarm.
I do get the occasional false alarm particularly when towing uphill on a hot day, but I'd rather have it that way than to set the alarm threshold higher.
Love the fact that the temperature sensor is non-invasive and just bolts on.
I don't like the LCD display model like the TM4 though, as they are really hard to read. The bright red LED TM2 model is the way to go IMO.
Steve
I have the Redarc low water alarm in the 6x6. Soldered the fitting into the tank on the drivers side. Still have the original VDO electric temp gauge and I am comfortable with it in combination with the low water alarm. My previous Isuzu 110 had a VDO low water alarm and it saved the day a couple of times. I consider it to be the most important accessory you can fit to your vehicle.
Just for interest sake, where would you mount this unit on an Isuzu 3.9 diesel engine, ? on the brass hex on top of the thermostat housing ?, I have a VDO mechanical gauge it does't lift off much past 60c unless it's a hot day and your pushing it along, cheers Dennis