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Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 7:37 pm
by francophile1947
Was your alarm fitted before you had the head replaced (and did it work before)? Let's hope it's not a newly fitted alarm with the screw too high in the tank #-o

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:06 pm
by mikelamb
The alarm was fitted before and I have checked the position of the screws. It all looks fine. I wish it was that to be honest, can't help but fear the worst on this one!
Strangely though, the alarm was sounding when I jumped into the van after work, but when I looked in the expansion tank there was enough coolant in there. Could that be to do with the pressure in the system ?
After I opened the bottle the alarm was ok.

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:47 pm
by widdowson2008
Why did you change the head in the first place? Cooked?

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:49 pm
by haydn callow
when you opened the bottle the pressure was released and the level of coolant would rise a little and shut the alarm up.

Your alarm is working as it should.....when the level of coolant drops below the top (sensor) screw then the alarm will sound...
The fact is you are losing coolant some how......and the alarm is bringing this to your attention.

I never had to add any coolant to my recently sold Bongo in 3 years.

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:52 pm
by haydn callow
It's very difficult to judge the coolant level in the tank by looking down the filler hole.....much better to "dip" it or relie on the coolant alarm...

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:57 pm
by mikelamb
Thanks Haydn, I thought it would be due to the pressure being released, allowing the coolant to rise.
Hopefully I have a leak somewhere. She is going back to the Garage to get checked out soon.
Mike.

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:58 pm
by mikelamb
widdowson2008 wrote:Why did you change the head in the first place? Cooked?
Yes.

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 10:22 pm
by widdowson2008
mikelamb wrote:
widdowson2008 wrote:Why did you change the head in the first place? Cooked?
Yes.
Did you change the stat at the same time?
Reason for asking is that a cooked stat CAN get stuck in the open position - this would explain the cool running.

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 11:37 pm
by The Great Pretender
Is it pressure? I'm inclined to think that the problem could be caused by a vacuum due to a faulty valve in the header tank cap.

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:47 am
by mikelamb
The Great Pretender wrote:Is it pressure? I'm inclined to think that the problem could be caused by a vacuum due to a faulty valve in the header tank cap.
Thanks. Could this be the problem? How is the cap meant to work ?

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 9:54 am
by haydn callow
TGP....if that was the case...would the pressure not equalize via the radiator cap.....???....just a thought

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:31 am
by widdowson2008
I'll try again.
Did you change the stat when the head was changed?

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 10:58 am
by mikelamb
widdowson2008 wrote:I'll try again.
Did you change the stat when the head was changed?
Hi Steve,

New head with gaskets, new thermostat, coolant flush, engine flush, engine oil, oil filter, antifreeze, and new radiator.

Mike.

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 11:33 am
by widdowson2008
mikelamb wrote:
widdowson2008 wrote:I'll try again.
Did you change the stat when the head was changed?
Hi Steve,

New head with gaskets, new thermostat, coolant flush, engine flush, engine oil, oil filter, antifreeze, and new radiator.

Mike.
Eliminates stat faults then.

Re: Coolant issue.

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:59 pm
by missfixit70
haydn callow wrote:TGP....if that was the case...would the pressure not equalize via the radiator cap.....???....just a thought
Rad cap shouldn't vent, that's why the pattern part rad vents should be blocked off, doesn't matter what cap is on there either, as long as the top seal seals.