coolant level

[brownspeed]

Is there a definitive answer to what level the coolant should be when cold?
A search on this forum produces a myriad of differing answers; what levels to you guys operate at?
I ask this as mine overheated last summer which i put down to creating an air lock in mine , possibly `cos the level I've been running at is a little low. I have heard of running ~15mm below to top of the reservoir filler, but when i tried this it spat a load out and returned to a lower level (maybe it decides? who knows!)
grateful if a few of you fine chaps could give me some feedback.

[TVR Tommy]

The level I go for on mine with the wooden spoon dip is at the bottom of the top return pipe (thermostat housing return).

The best way to make sure you have no air locks is slowly fill with the radiator coolant bleed screw out once water appears there then replace bolt. Then remove the heater coolant return pipe. Make sure return pipe is higher than the heater outlet pipe and fill it until water appears there. put your finger over heater exit pipe and fill until you can see coolant at top of return pipe. Then quickly refit pipe.

[brownspeed]

Thanks Tommy, I think mysystem is now air free and I do have the wooden spoon;I may just need to recalibrate it.
it sounds like your level is where i've been running mine at all this time; base of return pipe level.
I suspect the air lock of last year was due to negligence checking it on my part!

[Mr.Chips]

I got fed up with using a wooden spoon, so had the Track V Road modification fitted. All I do now is to pop the bonnet and check the sight glass to see the coolant level. It also stops air locks too.

[pb450]

Mr.Chips said:

I got fed up with using a wooden spoon, so had the Track V Road modification fitted. All I do now is to pop the bonnet and check the sight glass to see the coolant level. It also stops air locks too.

Sounds like a good mod. Do you have any pics please?

[shorts!]

I recently had a sight glass mod done by Bespoke (in Ware) and it is a total result. Clear to see, no wooden spoon, and no repeatedly screwing and unscrewing that cap. Over the hundreds of thousands of miles I have screwed that cap off and on so many times that the plastic thread has worn sufficiently to be replaced 4 times.
I'm pretty sure the guys there took photos they can post.
Would definitely recommend it.

[shorts!]

My level is about the bottom third.

[brownspeed]

thanks and WOW! that looks brilliant

[Mr.Chips]

If you check out the Parts & Plates section of PH, you can see the Track V Road information and pics of the mod.

[jasonTVR]

TVR Tommy said:

The level I go for on mine with the wooden spoon dip is at the bottom of the top return pipe (thermostat housing return).

The best way to make sure you have no air locks is slowly fill with the radiator coolant bleed screw out once water appears there then replace bolt. Then remove the heater coolant return pipe. Make sure return pipe is higher than the heater outlet pipe and fill it until water appears there. put your finger over heater exit pipe and fill until you can see coolant at top of return pipe. Then quickly refit pipe.

Hi,
Which one is the heater coolant return pipe?
I had an issue with an air lock, however the bleed screw on the rad did the job.
Good to know for the future. Mine sits a few mil above the bottom of the thermostat top hose from the pot.
Thanks, Jason

Edited by jasonTVR on Sunday 16th August 13:15