Engine Coolant - The perfect dipstick!
Discussion
Apologies if anyone else has already suggested this, but whilst trying to check the coolant level for the first time last night, I came across the perfect dipstick, 
(until Leven come up with something more high tech!).
A wooden spoon, (inserted handle first in to the expansion tank)!!!
The spoon end is large enough to prevent the whole thing being dropped in, and the wooden handle absorbs just enough fluid for you to see the level once it has been extracted.
Perhaps Leven could produce a range of wooden spoons engraved with the TVR logo???
(until Leven come up with something more high tech!). A wooden spoon, (inserted handle first in to the expansion tank)!!!
The spoon end is large enough to prevent the whole thing being dropped in, and the wooden handle absorbs just enough fluid for you to see the level once it has been extracted.
Perhaps Leven could produce a range of wooden spoons engraved with the TVR logo???
I'm not sure what the 'neck' is that they refer to.
However, I regularly check the coolant (weekly) and the level is always roughly at the point where the metal pipe joins the cylinder (about 10mm below the top of the pipe). I asked Richard at Hexham about this and he suggested topping it up to halfway between the pipe and the cylinder top. I did this, checked next day and it was back to the previous level. I've never had a problem with cooling, this seems to be the level my cars happy with.
So, if by 'neck' they mean the bit above where the pipe joins the cylinder (I suppose this is the expansion tank?) then mine is about 10mm below and thus correct.
Hope this helps (and makes sense).
Cheers.
However, I regularly check the coolant (weekly) and the level is always roughly at the point where the metal pipe joins the cylinder (about 10mm below the top of the pipe). I asked Richard at Hexham about this and he suggested topping it up to halfway between the pipe and the cylinder top. I did this, checked next day and it was back to the previous level. I've never had a problem with cooling, this seems to be the level my cars happy with.
So, if by 'neck' they mean the bit above where the pipe joins the cylinder (I suppose this is the expansion tank?) then mine is about 10mm below and thus correct.
Hope this helps (and makes sense).
Cheers.
Well, didn't want anyone chucking a 7 after checking the coolant. Here's a good 'un for you:
A while back, Mrs puts too much coolant in her MX-5 (didn't notice the -MAX- line on the expansion tank), so I'm thinking hmm, best get rid of the excess in there so what can I use to get it out....
I know, I'll stuff as many drinking straws I can get in my mouth and suck out the excess, run down the drive then gob it out in the road. Well, it kinda worked, except it wasn't like drinking out of a glass with a dozen straws in your trap - I was bent over double. So I took a massive swig of the brew, choked and swallowed a load of it
panic panic panic so I run indoors and gulped down a load of milk (god knows why I chose milk, but there you go) and then stuck my fingers down my throat. Only later did I read the anti freeze bottle in the garage which had the words "Non" and "Toxic" on the side. Oh well, for about 2 hours I sat on the sofa, convinced that I was going to expire at any moment.
So, let that be a lesson to you !
>> Edited by GregE240 on Thursday 18th July 11:43
A while back, Mrs puts too much coolant in her MX-5 (didn't notice the -MAX- line on the expansion tank), so I'm thinking hmm, best get rid of the excess in there so what can I use to get it out....
I know, I'll stuff as many drinking straws I can get in my mouth and suck out the excess, run down the drive then gob it out in the road. Well, it kinda worked, except it wasn't like drinking out of a glass with a dozen straws in your trap - I was bent over double. So I took a massive swig of the brew, choked and swallowed a load of it
panic panic panic so I run indoors and gulped down a load of milk (god knows why I chose milk, but there you go) and then stuck my fingers down my throat. Only later did I read the anti freeze bottle in the garage which had the words "Non" and "Toxic" on the side. Oh well, for about 2 hours I sat on the sofa, convinced that I was going to expire at any moment. So, let that be a lesson to you !
>> Edited by GregE240 on Thursday 18th July 11:43
quote:
I filed mine right to the top, then sucked a bit out with a handy sponge, and it seems o.k. I was a bit alarmed to find the level way down - possibly a coolant leak. Another one for the next service.
how far down was it? however much I refill mine it always finds its own level fairly quickly around/just below the pipe insert. I guess that's where it's meant to be? all fairly confusing. ps if you get a chance take a look at my alarm thread this morning. thanks!
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