Low Coolant Alarm going off

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BongoTraveller
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Low Coolant Alarm going off

Post by BongoTraveller » Mon Sep 26, 2016 4:04 pm

Hi,
has anyone got any idea why this is happening?
I recently had a leaking hose, so got that replaced and got the coolant changed at the same time. Since then the alarm has been going off when I start the bongo, even though the coolant level not low (plenty in the tank).
When I've tried driving, the alarm stops after a minute or two.
I can see the coolant level is fine so I'm not hyper concerned, but it's obviously not ideal.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Thanks.
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g8dhe
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Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off

Post by g8dhe » Mon Sep 26, 2016 4:26 pm

New coolant lays down an insulating anti-corrosion layer over anything metallic, including the sensing screw(s). Just remove the screw(s) and give it a clean with a wire brush and put it back in. If you don't remove the cap then very little coolant will be lost whilst you take the screw out as well.
Geoff
2001 Aero V6, AFT, full side conversion.
Bob
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Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off

Post by Bob » Mon Sep 26, 2016 4:48 pm

Agree, this is particularly true with the pink 'Long Life' coolant.

You don't need to fully remove the screw, either. Back it off a few turns and clean.

Engine cold of course. :wink:
Take a torch, toilet roll, and tea bags.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hcF9JSxkUSE
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Northern Bongolow
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Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off

Post by Northern Bongolow » Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:37 pm

check the battery condition. if its a diesel the glow plugs come on shortly before and during and after starting the engine, this combined with the effort needed to start the engine can push a dodgey battery low enough for the alarm to register it as low as they are voltage sensitive..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsJUuLu1cw0
BongoTraveller
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Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off

Post by BongoTraveller » Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:51 pm

Thanks all, very helpful.
Just removed the screw and given it a clean - seems to have done the trick!
Hopefully that'll solve it for good. But I don't quite understand... Won't the coolant just re-coat it and I'll be back where I started? :?
Gasy
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Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off

Post by Gasy » Mon Sep 26, 2016 6:55 pm

It's coating abilities wear out after a while
You might have to do the screws a few times over the next couple of weeks
Gas safe heating engineer / plumber if you need any advice just shout.
Bob
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Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off

Post by Bob » Mon Sep 26, 2016 8:33 pm

Spot on, that's why the coolant has to be renewed.
Take a torch, toilet roll, and tea bags.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hcF9JSxkUSE
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haydn callow
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Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off

Post by haydn callow » Tue Sep 27, 2016 12:23 pm

Contact Jo via our website and she will send out a couple of replacement screws FOC......THIS 'coating' of the screw should resolve itself after a short while depending on mileage.
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
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cmm303
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Re: Low Coolant Alarm going off

Post by cmm303 » Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:37 pm

I found it necessary to clean the LCA screw after a blue antifreeze change. I know the advice is normally kept for the red/pink OAT stuff but, paranoid, I'd done all the voltage checks and after 6 months of prolonged LCA alarms at switch-on I got the wire brush out and the alarm is now behaving.
Chris with BertieB
'96 White unconverted AFT 2.5L Diesel 4WD
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