Reason to check your overflow tank at every fill-up --

[erics_bruisers]

I was on a 1,500 mile journey this past weekend with my '91, and when in Upstate NY getting gas, I checked my oil and overflow tank, as I always do. The overflow tank was near empty, a departure from its usual "full" status --

-- I went to Wally-World and got some distilled water for it, and later discovered I had a slow coolant leak from the large lower radiator hose -- I over-tightened the clamp on its install earlier this spring, and the clamp finally ate through the hose --

-- I made a quick-fix, which got me home, and have since replaced the hose with a reasonable tightness on the clamp --

-- had I not discovered this and instead taken the coolant level dangerously low, I could have overheated my coveted 3FE -- an event that would make my 80 otherwise a snappy planter --

e

 

[landtoy80]

This is a good reason to install a low coolant light in the overflow tank.
I have yet find one to put in but I have good intention to do so

 

[Beowulf]

Kurt,

I agree with you that this would be a good mod. Someone posted several months back that Mercedes (and several others) come with a coolant level sensor that appeared to be a candidate for a transplant to our 80s. If you have time on your hands you might be able to do some research on this for the group. Take a trip out to a pick-n-pull boneyard that has imports and see what you can come up with.

Maybe C-Dan can chime in and let us know if there are some Toyotas that have a coolant level sensor in the overflow jug?

-B-

 

[turbocruiser]

Kurt,

I agree with you that this would be a good mod. Someone posted several months back that Mercedes (and several others) come with a coolant level sensor that appeared to be a candidate for a transplant to our 80s. If you have time on your hands you might be able to do some research on this for the group. Take a trip out to a pick-n-pull boneyard that has imports and see what you can come up with.

-B-

Yes, that was me. In fact, after looking at my coolant overflow tank in my 420SEL, I would think that the tank would fit with minimal, if any modification. The only modification will likely to fab up brackets which would work well. Go to the pick and pull ( you know the pick and pulls that are full of "S" class Mercedes ) and get one from any "126" Chassis Mercedes ( 380D, 420, 560, etc. ) if that is too large, look at the "123" Chassis Mercedes ( 250, 280, 300D etc. ). If no pick and pulls with MB's exist around your area, call to Arizona they have tons of rust free mercedes scrap yards. HTH

 

[Scamper]

The coolant level sensors are pretty easy to find for lots of cars/trucks. Here's one for a rover:

http://ro-parts.drivewire.com/buynow-rover/range-rover/coolant-level-sensor~pgn1~pcd14002.html

 

[sjcruiser]

The coolant level sensor on my W126 is horizontally mounted; thus could be added without modifications to its lenght as vertically mounted ones require. Cost less than $24 (made by Hella - looks like mounting o-ring also included).

 

[erics_bruisers]

what's a w26?

 

[sjcruiser]

Eric,

Corrected the typo in the message above (mine is a 560sel).

Frank.

 

[cruiserdan]

84-88 Vans
76-77 Celicas
75-77 Coronas
81-84 Cressidas

 

[erics_bruisers]

84-88 Vans
76-77 Celicas
75-77 Coronas
81-84 Cressidas

hm -- any you'd suggest, or can get?

e

 

[Beowulf]

C-Dan,

Will any of those work with a methanol mixture?

-B-

 

[erics_bruisers]

i'll bet you even cressidas rusted in NM --

 

[landtoy80]

84-88 Vans
76-77 Celicas
75-77 Coronas
81-84 Cressidas

The van might be the only vehicle that in junkyards in the midwest do to rust and most yards shread the older vehicles for $$$

 

[erics_bruisers]

I just replaced the hose and clamps tonight - no biggie, though in the future I think I will always use OEM hose-clamps, too -- they're designed differently from the Napa junk, and it appears that when they're tightened, they don't have a pressure point that pinches the hose, like traditional Napa-type clamps --

eric