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| Jontd5 Member Since: 09 Dec 2018 Location: Laois Posts: 39  
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Yes I have - I used a BMW float sensor and a 3/4 copper tank fitting in the top of the tank - there's smaller / neater tank float switches on eBay tho. I went for the BMW one as the complete E30 expansion tank is a straight swap in a 10p D2
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31st Dec 2018 10:45pm |
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| MK Member Since: 28 Aug 2008 Location: Santiago Posts: 2420  
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Thanks for the reply. So the copper fitting just holds into the plastic wall of the tank? Puma 110" SW
............................................................. Earth first. Other planets later |
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31st Dec 2018 10:54pm |
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| Jontd5 Member Since: 09 Dec 2018 Location: Laois Posts: 39
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Yeah, I had to grind a little off it to get it fit through tank cap and out through hole I bored. There's smaller / neater float switches around though, it's a question of finding something that fits through the cap. I'm happy with the way I went - it works if coolant drops below the level line and the BMW sensors are fairly reliable
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31st Dec 2018 11:08pm |
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| MK Member Since: 28 Aug 2008 Location: Santiago Posts: 2420
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 Puma 110" SW
............................................................. Earth first. Other planets later |
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31st Dec 2018 11:12pm |
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| ARC99 Member Since: 19 Feb 2013 Location: North Yorkshire Posts: 1831  
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I'd love to meet the muppet who thought that it was a good idea to have a none see through expansion/coolant tank and ask them who do you expect people to check the level when they can not see it. Don't make old people mad.
We don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to  us off.
Richard |
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1st Jan 2019 9:11am |
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| Retroanaconda Member Since: 04 Jan 2012 Location: Scotland Posts: 2655 
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Erm, open the cap perhaps?
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1st Jan 2019 10:20am |
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| Jontd5 Member Since: 09 Dec 2018 Location: Laois Posts: 39
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I wouldn't fit a low coolant sensor to not have to check level - I would regularly anyway - it's more for when I'm sitting at 120 on motorway and the pump / hose lets go- I'll know immediately, not 10 minutes later when I've cooked it
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2nd Jan 2019 8:20am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17432 
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^^^^ Does this happen to you often? In getting on for 50 years of driving it's never happened to me!
I would also suggest that a pressure switch would be easier to fit and just as effective for the purpose. Incidentally I find it easy to check the level on the Td5 and TDCi, I simply hold a torch behind the reservoir, and, voila, the level is clearly revealed! |
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2nd Jan 2019 8:27am |
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| Jontd5 Member Since: 09 Dec 2018 Location: Laois Posts: 39
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Happened once - the rubber coolant bung under Td5 turbo failed.
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2nd Jan 2019 8:32am |
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| shropshiredefender Member Since: 05 Jun 2017 Location: Shropshire Posts: 834  
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Top Tip Thanks Blackwolf |
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2nd Jan 2019 7:47pm |
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| leeds Member Since: 28 Dec 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 8582
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MK have a look at the Madman Coolant Level Detector here
Brendan |
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2nd Jan 2019 8:00pm |
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| mturri Member Since: 13 Jul 2010 Location: All over Posts: 33  
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Installed a float switch specifically selected for being apt to work in temperature environments up to 120 C.
Float switch by CYNERGY3 model RSF76Y100RN <spec_sheet> Positioned it in a way, or at least intended to, such that it closes when the coolant level drops below half way between the Equator and the Southern Pole in the header tank... If it's connected straight forwardly to an audible or visual alarm will obviously give a lot of falses due to fluid movement in the header, so best to use a timer circuit of some sort. Photos below. Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge HTH M |
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25th Jan 2019 9:11am |
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