Cooant Level Sensor?
Discussion
Mods, please change title to read "Coolant Level Sensor"
Having just replaced the rad on my Tuscan due a pin hole leak, it struck me just how easy it would be to kill the engine if you had a small coolant leak and didn't notice. The water temp won't necessarily register an overheat if there's no water to measure, and by the time you notice high oil temp and low pressure, chances are you've done some serious damage.
I'm thinking that a rad cap with a level sensor wired in parallel with the brake fluid level sensor would perhaps be a simple way to do it? At least then if the warning light comes on whilst driving, it's a warning to stop ASAP and check the brake and rad fluid levels.
Has anyone else fitted a coolant level sensor to their TVR, and if so how did you do it?
Having just replaced the rad on my Tuscan due a pin hole leak, it struck me just how easy it would be to kill the engine if you had a small coolant leak and didn't notice. The water temp won't necessarily register an overheat if there's no water to measure, and by the time you notice high oil temp and low pressure, chances are you've done some serious damage.
I'm thinking that a rad cap with a level sensor wired in parallel with the brake fluid level sensor would perhaps be a simple way to do it? At least then if the warning light comes on whilst driving, it's a warning to stop ASAP and check the brake and rad fluid levels.
Has anyone else fitted a coolant level sensor to their TVR, and if so how did you do it?
Edited by dvs_dave on Tuesday 28th September 13:48
yes dave,
put a float switch in the bottom of the swirl pot for exactly the reasons you state.
Mine operated a buzzer i put behind the dash when the coolant level was lower than 20mm from the bottom. Operated several times over the years.
I had an engine go in a rice rocket due to a split £4 hose.
have to use a s/steel switch due to duration of 100 degrees or so (£55) but it worked fine for several years (sold the car)
will be doing it again when the new one arrives on my drive next month!
put a float switch in the bottom of the swirl pot for exactly the reasons you state.
Mine operated a buzzer i put behind the dash when the coolant level was lower than 20mm from the bottom. Operated several times over the years.
I had an engine go in a rice rocket due to a split £4 hose.
have to use a s/steel switch due to duration of 100 degrees or so (£55) but it worked fine for several years (sold the car)
will be doing it again when the new one arrives on my drive next month!
this is the one I'll be using again...
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAct...
the yank one looks good, but display would put me off.
across the brake fluid res sounds good to me.
Andy
BTW, yes, 10mm hole in the base of the swirl pot. there's room next to the outlet pipe.
http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAct...
the yank one looks good, but display would put me off.
across the brake fluid res sounds good to me.
Andy
BTW, yes, 10mm hole in the base of the swirl pot. there's room next to the outlet pipe.
Edited by Guillotine on Wednesday 29th September 11:19
What about using this range-rover rad cap with built in level sensor? I think the cap will fit but not sure what length the probe is or if it can be modified to suit but it looks like a neat solution?
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