Razza stranded in Rockhampton with a cooked engine

**milld** · 14th July 2010, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by wayneg

Sorry to hear of your woes
Iv`e never been convinced with the spring type clamps now in common use. The worm drive type are tied and tested so they get my vote. Also why on earth did Landrover not put a low level float in the expansion tank like used in the later classics. Progress I suppose?
I bought a simple float switch on e-bay for a couple of dollars but cant see an easy spot to fit it. I am a bit shy to drill into the bottom of the expansion tank and the baffles within would make it very hard to tighten and seal.

Wow, I'm really surprised the p38's didn't come out with a low coolant sensor, like on my 93 classic. This would be the first thing I'd put on a p38 if i had one.

**Junosi** · 14th July 2010, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by p38arover

Here's mine - it's been in a couple of years.

Good idea. I'll be buying and fitting one pronto. Found an identical looking one to Ron's on Australia eBay for $6 new from Hong Kong. Link is here - or search for 'water level sensor' Horizontal water level sensor tank liquid float switch - eBay Irrigation, Tools, Gear, Equipment, Gardening, Home. (end time 05-Aug-10 18:16:39 AEST)

**Razza's Rangie** · 15th July 2010, 08:19 AM

Hey guys, during this rebuild ill definatley be putting one of these in!!!

Paul/HRA - Might be an idea to get a few of these in stock

Thanks lads...
oh i just noticed that its temp rating was only to a max of 85 degrees c, is that a problem i wonder?

**Scouse** · 15th July 2010, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by Razza's Rangie

oh i just noticed that its temp rating was only to a max of 85 degrees c, is that a problem i wonder?

Yes & no.

Yes, it will fail & leak.

No, because it will tell you that it has a leak (when the level drops).

It doesn't sound like it's really suitable for an expansion tank environment.

**Junosi** · 15th July 2010, 03:56 PM

There's stainless steel ones listed also - max temp 125 degrees ...

**wayneg** · 15th July 2010, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Junosi

There's stainless steel ones listed also - max temp 125 degrees ...

There is still the issue of how to get it in and tighten it up. The Expansion tank is full of baffles so the only way I can see of fitting a float without butchering the tank is how P38AROVER has done his. If its lasted a couple of years already its obviously good for the job. Now if we can find that type of float sender in Stainless Steel that would be even more compelling.
P38AROVER, where did you buy your float?

**PaulP38a** · 16th July 2010, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by Junosi

There's stainless steel ones listed also - max temp 125 degrees ...

Got a link to these please Junosi? I'll look in to getting a couple and trying out on my car... if it works then will consult with Ron as to how this might become a HRA offering for the benefit of us all... too many cooked engines recently.

Cheers, Paul.

**adm333** · 16th July 2010, 10:10 AM

What about the engine saver version that monitors the coolant level in the top hose itself.

Low Water Alarm Sensor

Davey from engine saver (also a regular on here) was kind enough to supply us a unit for our Bash Car and it was a life saver. I highly recommend it as an option if you are worried about coolant / engine temp monitoring.

There are 2 or 3 levels of device you can get from a basic alarm to a small led display in the cabin that shows the exact engine temp at all times. This is what we had and it is the ultimate peace of mind.

Dave

**Junosi** · 16th July 2010, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by PaulP38a

Got a link to these please Junosi?

Problem with eBay links is that they don't last long - search in eBay on 'water level alarm steel' and you'll see a few listed for about $11. The following link is to a steel one on there with max temp of over 200degs but is a different shape to Ron's

Curve Water Level Sensor Liquid Switch Stainless Steel - eBay Irrigation, Tools, Gear, Equipment, Gardening, Home. (end time 05-Aug-10 18:18:12 AEST)

Expansion tank is probably a few degrees cooler than the rest of the system and I doubt the 85deg ones would fail in any catestrophic way. I'd be curious to hear if Ron's is steel or plastic.

Thought I'd mention that I've got an 'engine watchdog' (eBay again $150) type unit fitted to the wifes early model diesel Freelander - which are also notorious for overheating problems and destroying themselves. This unit is a pure temperature alarm that attaches a probe to the engine block/head as close to the cylinders as you can to monitor actual metal temperature rather than water temp and so is completely separate from the water system. A low level water alarm doesn't help at all if you do have water but instead have a blockage and your engine still fries. It's easy to set to whatever temp threshold you like - wifes one is set to about 5degs higher than its 'normal' temp and makes a very loud beep when it goes off - hard to miss and good for wives that don't pay attention to their car's needs.... Not sure I'm recommending it still, they're kinda ugly and I'm unsure if block/head temperature would react fast enough to prevent a meltdown, if for instance you did suddenly dump all your water. Link http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ENGINE-WATCHD...item1e5d11193a

**adm333** · 16th July 2010, 11:38 AM

The Engine saver solution incorporates the Engine Watchdog for the digital display.

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