Coolant level

On Saturday I had (I hope) a close escape with a low coolant level in my DSE. I know this has been discussed lots, along with why does my classic have a level sensor but not my P38, but is there an accepted 'solution'? (Let's just assume that I'm a normal, forgetful human and will not be checking the level by opening the bonnet before every journey!)

I've seen a couple of potential options:

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f38/low-coolant-sensor-84777.html

Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™ :: View topic - DIY Low Coolant Alarm

Any thoughts, solutions, comments, opinions (plenty of those, I'm sure!)?

Bladerunner919 said:

On Saturday I had (I hope) a close escape with a low coolant level in my DSE. I know this has been discussed lots, along with why does my classic have a level sensor but not my P38, but is there an accepted 'solution'? (Let's just assume that I'm a normal, forgetful human and will not be checking the level by opening the bonnet before every journey!)

I've seen a couple of potential options:

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f38/low-coolant-sensor-84777.html

Mitsubishi Delica Owners Club UK™ :: View topic - DIY Low Coolant Alarm

Any thoughts, solutions, comments, opinions (plenty of those, I'm sure!)?

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Are you also going to fit a power steering oil level sensor, an engine oil level sensor, a gearbox oil level sensor, a transfer box oil level sensor. Maintain the vehicle properly and check once a week. If you have a coolant leak, static test it and sort it.

That's all very well, but what if I check it on Sunday, get a leak on Monday and blow the engine on Tuesday? And if you apply that logic, I could also check the fuel level with a dipstick, but we are provided with a fuel gauge for that.

As I said, I understand the notion of inspection and maintenance, but I was asking if anyone had a solution to the lack of a sensor.

It is rather nonsensical that if the car overheats a tiny red light appears on the dash, but if my windscreen washer fluid gets low, I get a written and audible warning from the dash.

Bladerunner919 said:

That's all very well, but what if I check it on Sunday, get a leak on Monday and blow the engine on Tuesday? And if you apply that logic, I could also check the fuel level with a dipstick, but we are provided with a fuel gauge for that.

As I said, I understand the notion of inspection and maintenance, but I was asking if anyone had a solution to the lack of a sensor.

It is rather nonsensical that if the car overheats a tiny red light appears on the dash, but if my windscreen washer fluid gets low, I get a written and audible warning from the dash.

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Your right it doesnt make sense... I havent come across any solution as yet to this but Id be keen to hear of one also.

I think the reason that they dropped the coolant level light was the fact that it would come on for reasons other than low coolant level and folks began to ignore the damn thing.

I'd wondered about this, the low coolant warning on my LSE was very useful in preventing serious overheats.

I suspect that it was omitted from the P38 because the system pressurises and when it's hot the level in the expansion tank drops about 2" - at least it does on mine, (maybe my hoses are expanding more than they should and need renewing), - if I then "carefully" loosen the cap, the pressure releases and the level goes back up to the mark.

Either that or the bean counters said 'no' the the extra few pennies a sensor would cost, but as has been mentioned there's a low screenwash sensor which - while useful - is hardly as critical in terms of potential mechanical meltdown . . .

Alastair

Bladerunner919 said:

That's all very well, but what if I check it on Sunday, get a leak on Monday and blow the engine on Tuesday? And if you apply that logic, I could also check the fuel level with a dipstick, but we are provided with a fuel gauge for that.

As I said, I understand the notion of inspection and maintenance, but I was asking if anyone had a solution to the lack of a sensor.

It is rather nonsensical that if the car overheats a tiny red light appears on the dash, but if my windscreen washer fluid gets low, I get a written and audible warning from the dash.

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You will see an overheating engine long before a red lamp comes on IF you look at your temp gauge now and again.

wammers said:

You will see an overheating engine long before a red lamp comes on IF you look at your temp gauge now and again.

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Wammers I thought these temp gauges just go..
COLD, RUNNING TEMP, HOT or is that the Td5?

wammers said:

You will see an overheating engine long before a red lamp comes on IF you look at your temp gauge now and again.

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The car was idling at night with the lights off.

Bladerunner919 said:

That's all very well, but what if I check it on Sunday, get a leak on Monday and blow the engine on Tuesday? And if you apply that logic, I could also check the fuel level with a dipstick, but we are provided with a fuel gauge for that.

As I said, I understand the notion of inspection and maintenance, but I was asking if anyone had a solution to the lack of a sensor.

It is rather nonsensical that if the car overheats a tiny red light appears on the dash, but if my windscreen washer fluid gets low, I get a written and audible warning from the dash.

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Easy enough to drive a sounder off the red light feed, but it's already too late by the time the red light comes on.

Datatek said:

Easy enough to drive a sounder off the red light feed, but it's already too late by the time the red light comes on.

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Absolutely. That's why I was really toying with a 'low coolant' warning that means the alert comes well before the level drops to the point at which overheating occurs. I guess nobody has tried anything like the two options that I posted originally - perhaps I'll give one a go.

on mine I replaced the whole header tank with one from a Vectra which has one built in.wired up a simple circuit with a bright red light next to the speedometer and a warning buzzer.no delay circuit needed.

Do you have any pics of that?

Think you would be a whole lot better off if you found out where the coolant is going rather than buggering about with a level sensor.

Littelwill said:

Wammers I thought these temp gauges just go..
COLD, RUNNING TEMP, HOT or is that the Td5?

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No they are progressive, if the gauge starts to show above it's normal position it's time to find out why.

wammers said:

Think you would be a whole lot better off if you found out where the coolant is going rather than buggering about with a level sensor.

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You are completely missing the point.

Bladerunner919 said:

You are completely missing the point.

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That's not very cordial. You're going to scare people away from the forum.

West Slope Rover said:

That's not very cordial. You're going to scare people away from the forum.

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Why, because I asked a sensible question about adding functionality to the car and keep getting 'just check the level' and 'find the leak'? I'd suggest that is more off-putting.

Had I asked 'can I fit a coolant sensor instead of resolving my current problem', maybe that would be justified, but I'm not a complete idiot and have been working on my own cars for 25 years, including practically rebuilding my RRC that had the usual near-terminal rust.

Bladerunner919 said:

Why, because I asked a sensible question about adding functionality to the car and keep getting 'just check the level' and 'find the leak'? I'd suggest that is more off-putting.

Had I asked 'can I fit a coolant sensor instead of resolving my current problem', maybe that would be justified, but I'm not a complete idiot and have been working on my own cars for 25 years, including practically rebuilding my RRC that had the usual near-terminal rust.

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It's just that some folks have complained that there is a lack of civility here............

Bladerunner919 said:

Why, because I asked a sensible question about adding functionality to the car and keep getting 'just check the level' and 'find the leak'? I'd suggest that is more off-putting.

Had I asked 'can I fit a coolant sensor instead of resolving my current problem', maybe that would be justified, but I'm not a complete idiot and have been working on my own cars for 25 years, including practically rebuilding my RRC that had the usual near-terminal rust.

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If it's any help I think it's a brilliant idea.

I suggest a warning that graduates as the situation gets more serious......

A simple beep to alert you to a potential problem....

Followed several minutes later by a slightly panicky voice pleading with you to look at the temp gauge....

Finally some sort of spring loaded mechanism that'll take out your knee caps....

Frankly I'm amazed it hasn't already been done