Stainless or alloy header tank - interest?

[GeoffSmith]

I'll try again. What about using one of these with a warning light on the dashboard?

With the number of HGFs and possible link to low coolant, I would have thought everyone would want one. What we want is an electronics genius on the West coast to link up with tigerdog.

[ailwyn]

I'll try again. What about using one of these with a warning light on the dashboard?

With the number of HGFs and possible link to low coolant, I would have thought everyone would want one. What we want is an electronics genius on the West coast to link up with tigerdog.

If you have to pop the bonnet to check the oil it's no biggy to look at the header tank the same time

[addict]

someone told me that some vauxhalls have level sensors .
golfs do.

[GeoffSmith]

You can loose coolant for a whole host of reasons and not notice while you're driving. With the possible link between low coolant and HGF, I'm after anything that will give me an early indication.

[tigerdog]

I received a reply from Canton Racing Products. Their sales person has forwarded the info I sent to their R&D folks. We'll see what they say.

In the meantime, I've found several inexpensive listings like this VW part for level sensors. It may be as simple as including a threaded hole in the tank. At first glance, the sensor looks pretty simple; circuit open when wet, closed when dry. 12v source, wire to unused dash light, then to ground. No electronics wizardry, just basic wiring. I'll look into it a bit further.

[Elanlover]

You can loose coolant for a whole host of reasons and not notice while you're driving. With the possible link between low coolant and HGF, I'm after anything that will give me an early indication.

Good point Geoff. There's plenty of warning icons on the speedo cluster that aren't in use. Wouldn't take much to wire up a light to turn on with a low level sensor. Sensor and warning light are a good idea while driving.

Still would like the window though . Either as a port hole or one of those transparent lines that runs vertically up the tank. I say we have BOTH! Hey, if you're going to do something might as well spend the extra cash and do it up right.

[DeeAitch]

I'll try again. What about using one of these with a warning light on the dashboard?

With the number of HGFs and possible link to low coolant, I would have thought everyone would want one. What we want is an electronics genius on the West coast to link up with tigerdog.

I'll have one

Burst a hose once - on a Nova would you believe - and lost all the water. Didn't know until the next lights and wondered what all the steam was about
If you have a level indicator then do we really need a sight glass? After all there is no sight glass for oil

[Elanlover]

Well, there's no light that's going to come on with the car not running and you working in the engine bay. Just though it'd be a good idea to have a window on the tank too. You don't have to wait until the light goes off (while you're driving) and have no where to stop and add coolant. Better to get a quick idea of when you're starting to get low as opposed to when you're already too low.

Probably can't let go of the clear tank concept that's been in every car I've every owned either Its just a comfort thing I suppose.

[GeoffSmith]

After all there is no sight glass for oil

Dipstick! While a dashboard light is good when you're driving, it ain't exactly convenient when you're topping up the coolant, so I'd say both.
Years ago (pre mobiles) I lost a hose on a Mini on the A1(M) about 30 mils from home around midnight. Fortunately, I noticed the temperature gauge shoot up and had a torch and some PVC tape for a temporary repair - I'll leave you to work out what I used as temporary coolant.

No electronics wizardry

I was thinking it might need a low pass filter and/or buffer if the coolant is slopping about. The last thing you want is a warning light coming on when you're pulling a tight turn. Sorry, I forgot you don't have tight turns in the US!

[EDIT: Like what Blair says!]

[Costas]

I have to add my 2 cents here...

I always DID have problems with the water tanks, I had to check very often the water lvl inside and refill it. On top of that the plastic tanks seemed very weak after the modifications I ve made to my car and used to have cracks and the water lvl was dropping very fast. I had to change plastic Water tanks, just in case, often as well.

Then I did order and had custom made the one on the picture attached.

No glass to see through the water lvl or anything.... all I had to do is take the cover off and stick my kinky finger, if it was wet everything was ok. Amazingly though, since that installation i NEVER EVER again had any loss of water from the water tank, never refilled, never had to check the water lvl again. I do so ONLY when I go to DSP and its always OK.

Maybe it cost me a bit more than the plastic one but through the time it payed off and most of all I have no worries about the water lvl anymore.

The only difference with the one posted at the beggining of this thread is that mine is Custom Made....

Costas

[tigerdog]

...Then I did order and had custom made the one on the picture attached... Costas

Who made this tank? Any chance they could make a few more? May be another possible source.

[Costas]

DSP Athens Greece... a bit far!

I believe there must be countless shops that can do the same and even better in the UK or USA

[Elanlover]

It would be nice if, in the design of a tank for our cars, that consideration be given to providing just a bit more clearance for the small recirculating hose at the top left of the tank. It runs very close to the throttle body to intercooler pipework. And, when you install customs stuff (like I and many other have) even a bit more room would be welcome.

[lotusgirlmarie]

When I was Thinking about how I would do the tank I came up with 2 alternatives to the stock design.

1) welding a small tab inside the tank as a level indicator in view through the filler cap. less holes in the tank= less chance for leaks + simpler design and cleaner look.

2) was to move the small overflow line 90 degrees, to the side facing the throttle body and have a AN bung welded in. You know me and braided steel with Aeroquip hose ends. Again cleaner look and easy routing.

Just out of curiosity has anyone given any thought as to why our cars have such a high pressure cap compared with many other cars? I mean 80-100PSI vs. 7-16PSI.

[addict]

not to sure on the presure cap question other than its a std gm part.
however the higher the presure inside the system the higher the boiling point of the coolant would be.

[GeoffSmith]

Just out of curiosity has anyone given any thought as to why our cars have such a high pressure cap compared with many other cars? I mean 80-100PSI vs. 7-16PSI.

There's nothing out of the ordinary about the coolant pressure. It could be you've seen the SI units - 10PSI is about 70kPa (kilo-Pascals)

I keep meaning to ask Ekapol about the yellow cap theory as well. As far as I know, the yellow cap is to assist learner drivers to pass the test in the UK, as on their test they have to point out where to put oil, water and other vital fluids.

[tigerdog]

...why our cars have such a high pressure cap compared with many other cars? I mean 80-100PSI vs. 7-16PSI.

Definitely an issue of quoting the correct units. According to Elan M100 Training Course Notes V1 Overview v6, page 28 (31 in the pdf), "The tank is fitted with a 110kPa (15 lb/in2) pressure cap..."

[lotusgirlmarie]

Ahhh.... My bad. Need to wear my glasses more.

[tigerdog]

Canton Racing Products have expressed willingness to pursue this project. Their estimated price is $350 for tooling and a prototype tank, then $185 per tank with a 10-tank minimum order. Ideally, we'll split the prototype costs among those buying. What do you think? The tank would include a sight glass (tube, not window) and would require a different cap so an overflow tube can be used to route excess coolant off of the ignition coils.

SO: can I get a count of people interested at the above price?

1. Tigerdog
2.

[Dico]

1. Tigerdog
2. Dico