Header Tank Coolant Level Indicator (Merc C230 mod)

[trunt]

Anyone for a VW? $17, cheap as chips, no level sensor switch but there are probe things, I was not fussed with that. There are many different configurations but this one (I think from a golf) had the hoses and bracket where I wanted them.

As I have a LHD car the space up at the firewall was taken with the brake servo etc. so it needed to go at the front, seems fine.
Terry

10.JPG rad9.JPG

[Phil S]

lots of pictures of header tanks but no mention of how or where you are connecting the feed into the system, only showing the breather from the top of the rad

[NeilR]

It doesn't restrict access to the dizzy that much all, just makes fuse box access a bit awkward but not impossible.

Brackets are on the bulkhead (using M6 Rivnuts in the bulkhead).
Just have to be carefull drilling the holes for the lower one, missing any wiring inside the car, the upper one is in the air intake cavity.

Since that picture, I have repostioned the Plug Leads plastic holder to the camcover screw.

As it's primarily an being used as an expansion tank, piping is all done in 8mm copper.
Still fills the system fast enough when changing coolant, just takes a bit longer.
For the lower pipe, I soldered a brass bush into the lower left hand side of the radiator (you can just see it in the photo), obviously the rad has to come out for that.

Neil.

[MandM]

lots of pictures of header tanks but no mention of how or where you are connecting the feed into the system, only showing the breather from the top of the rad

P1060413.JPGP1060450.JPG
simples

[Andrew S]

Thanks for the photos Martin

My main reasoning for contemplating fitting a header tank is to be able to see the water and also to have a level sensor so that if there is a leak I don't run engine dry. On that basis, I really like your Volvo small tank.

So, am I correct that the pipe that goes onto the rad outlet as you show above goes to the bottom of the tank and top tank outlet goes back to the rad filler neck? Just need to understand the water flow direction on all of these header tank set ups

My other thought was just to extend the overflow pipe all the way up to the header tank so it only expands but is higher.

My engine runs at a 1/4 and have no issues but I can see some benefits of fitting a tank and it also would give me something to do during lockdown LOL

[MandM]

Thanks for the photos Martin

My main reasoning for contemplating fitting a header tank is to be able to see the water and also to have a level sensor so that if there is a leak I don't run engine dry. On that basis, I really like your Volvo small tank.

So, am I correct that the pipe that goes onto the rad outlet as you show above goes to the bottom of the tank and top tank outlet goes back to the rad filler neck? Just need to understand the water flow direction on all of these header tank set ups

My other thought was just to extend the overflow pipe all the way up to the header tank so it only expands but is higher.

My engine runs at a 1/4 and have no issues but I can see some benefits of fitting a tank and it also would give me something to do during lockdown LOL

The original overflow/expansion pipe (5/16?) should not be used as that extends down into the rad side tank, so you can still get air stuck/unable to bleed to the top of the header tank, that is why mine is blocked off, I used a water fitting and made a hose tail to fit that which replaced the brass filler bung so the air can get from the hightest point in the rad to the tank, the bottom hose on header tank goes to the side tank 5/8-16mm hose tail that I had fitted. If i was going to do it again , I think while i was having the hose tail fitted to the rad i would have asked them to add other to the filler neck so I could use this for the top hose of the tank rather than the water fitting, but mine works just as good and looks pretty good I think. all the money that people spend buying kits the rad mods cost a fraction of that cost, so can't see what the problem is with plastic see through header tanks with level switches what's not to like.

I,ve just looked and to fit a drain and hose tail in my rad , flow test, pressure check was £36 in 2015 , so lets call it £50 now and it came back all nicely painted

P1050305.JPG you can use a piece of 15mm pipe, with a 8mm bit soldered in, what ever suits you.


Others have done the same , others have done their own thing , but I like to save money so I can waste it on other parts that don,t fit properly or break or wear out in no time

[MandM]

One of the other Norfolk tribe used a Rover 25 tank, hope he doesn't mine me showing it , but think it looks really neat, is hinged so you can get to what you need to

IMG-20210112-WA0000[29630].jpg

[Andrew S]

Thanks Martin, this is really helpful. I'm impressed that you didn't resist not buying yellow silicone piping. Not sure I might be able to resist LOL

[MandM]

Thanks Martin, this is really helpful. I'm impressed that you didn't resist not buying yellow silicone piping. Not sure I might be able to resist LOL

Let me know where you get it from? Yellow Rules

[DJT]

There are photos and a short write up on my Volvo header tank install among the albums in my Profile.

[Andrew S]

Cheers Dave
That's a nice tidy engine bay

[MandM]

There are photos and a short write up on my Volvo header tank install among the albums in my Profile.

Sorry to muddle a thread but where did you get your oil pressure gauge from? Dave

Thanks

[DJT]

Sorry to muddle a thread but where did you get your oil pressure gauge from? Dave

Thanks

One of the TR specialists, back in 2008. TRGB possibly. They were fitted as standard to late model TR6 and match the rest of the Mk2 Stag gauges.

Just checked my records. I bought it from TR Bitz in April 2009 for the sum of £29. They did tell me back then that good ones were hard to come by........

https://www.trbitz.com

[RobinLegin]

My wife has just looked over my shoulder asking what I was looking at. Showed her and she thought how sad. Better than ladies clothes which is what she does!!

Anyway, I notice that not all the alternative header tanks have the 20 psi cap. My MkII Stag is supposed to have this. Do the alternatives pressure at 20psi?

[Fortyfiver]

Both the merc ones do