S4/S4s Coolant tank and level sensor

[Chillidoggy]

Took the level sensor out yesterday, the middle bit pulled out and it looks likeit's knackered. It's full of some kind of brown gunge, although I have no idea whether it's supposed to be like that.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g1lqlazficx0rli/2014-09-06%2010.26.56.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/7nzmz6ue9n2vti8/2014-09-06%2010.26.39.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/738t9hp76wk9azo/2014-09-06%2010.26.28.jpg?dl=0

 

I know it's a 205 Peugeot item, as is the tank, but it occurs to me that someonemight have come up with something more modern.

 

I don't like the idea of the tank being used for both the engine coolant and thechargecooler, I think it would be better if they were separate.

 

Has anyone modified, or upgraded their coolant tank/ And if so what have you done?

[fflyingdog]

i was just about to say that you can clean the sensor...... then i looked at your pics.......IIRC the S4 has a set up which is simular to what you are after.

[Chillidoggy]

I'll have a look at the S4 system. How is their level sensed?

Also, what the hell is all that God-awful brown grunge in the sensor though? Is it some kind of putty that's meant to be there? Or is it just accumulated shite from 20 years of use?

[fflyingdog]

20 years of gunge,i'm not sure how/if the S4 gets its water level.

Edited September 6, 2014 by fflyingdog

[Chillidoggy]

I dug it out earlier. It's got to be some kind of putty, there's just too much of it. Have to see if Peugeot still supply them.

 

On the plus side, I've overhauled one of the original Ford radiator fans, which now works a treat. On the downside, I've just taken the middle one apart, and that's melted one of its brush-holders. So unless I can find another fan motor to fit the 3-legged support, I shall have to take the rad pack out. Doh!

[mdw]

I think the fans are fiesta ( well they are earlier stevens esprit).  

[Chillidoggy]

Nick, according to my service notes, they say the S4 has a twin tank arrangement with level sensor on both tanks. The S4s uses the single 205 Peugeot tank with the mess of a level sensor I pulled out earlier.

 

Malcolm, I think you're right, I shall see if I can source a fan or two locally.

[mdw]

As your Kent based try Car Builder solutions in staplehurst.  I have 3 of their modern  fans fitted across my rad  with the through rad fittings as my shroud collapsed when it came of the car.   I will probably mount them to the rad frame over winter instead.

 

There are pics on this thread including mine and one from buddsy where his are mounted to the shroud. http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/62154-replacing-radiator-fans-with-kenlow-or-similar/?hl=%2Bred+%2Bfans

 

Re the header be thankful you don't have the rusty baked bean can we earlier owners get with a rubber bung and a metal prong through  it.

[Chillidoggy]

Thanks Malcolm.

I'm not a fan (no pun intended) of the through-rad fittings, especially as I don't have an idea of the rad condition as yet. And as Sparky has warned me that dropping the rad-pack is something akin to 7 years hard labour in a Siberian gulag, I'm not minded to go ripping into it just yet, at least not until I've tackled some of the more major jobs that want doing first. Hence I want to try to replace what's there for the moment, so I'll have a look around the breakers yards round here.

Ideally, I love the look of the Alunox rad-pack, that's been bandied around. but I'm waiting to see how much interest there is first, before I plump for it.

[dodge1979]

The s4 also uses the single tank. Early ones had the twin tank. The level sender is still available from peugeot and is cheaper from them than sj or pnm. Ive converted my system to 2 seperate tanks. The original one ive kept for the engine and I run a seperate small header tank for the chargecooler

[Chillidoggy]

So what level sensor are you using on the chargecooler tank Darren?

[dodge1979]

It doesnt need level sensor

[Chillidoggy]

How do you know if you have a leak, then?

[Bibs]

The header tank will be empty when you look in it or your chargecooler will be hot to the touch after a drive. Running dry isn't ideal but it won't blow anything up.

[Chillidoggy]

So, if it doesn't hit 60 in under 5, I know there's a leak?

[Bibs]

That, and a puddle...

[Chillidoggy]

Incontinence? They don't mention that in the service notes!

[dodge1979]

I don't need a level sensor because a, I check it on every journey. b as bibs said..there will be tell tale signs. and c there are 'min' and 'max' marks on the tank like good old fashioned simple units have. the use of a level sensor is to enable those who don't want to/know how to to be alerted to an issue....

[Paul93Lotus]

Here is an option that may work...I bought this and the only mod it needed was to bore out one of the tubes slightly larger.  The sensor is attached at the bottom...it is from a Jaguar XKR supercharged

 

They run from $40 to $100

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JAGUAR-HEADER-COOLANT-TANK-MMN4400-ENCLIFF4400-/121425190898?=ptUK/Carsparts_Vehicles_CarPart_SM&Hash=item1c45815ff

 

 

At least this part will be available over the long term...the Peugeot tank is already nearly 30 years old and won't be supplied by Peugeot much longer...plus the Jaguar tank looks the part in the Lotus engine bay....the Peugeot one looks kind of budget.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Paul93Lotus

[johnpwalsh]

Hi Darren, give me a breakdown on the chargecooler and it's function and what I should watch out for. Since getting the Blue Beast basicaly all I have done in the 2,000 odd mies is do the standard checks as I have been to engrossed in driving her to do too much more so now time to start learning mee thinks. Bibs tells me that if it's working properly it will be cool to the touch after or during a run but I would like a better understanding of the system and I know your the man. Any thing else I should be keeping a close eye on at the same time. She will be having a couple of spirited runs this time home before going into partial hybernation for the winter as my next time home will be end of November. I am still well chuffed with her and have had to promise Wendy I will let her drive it this time, bummer.

[Chillidoggy]

Here is an option that may work...I bought this and the only mod it needed was to bore out one of the tubes slightly larger.  The sensor is attached at the bottom...it is from a Jaguar XKR supercharged

 

They run from $40 to $100

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JAGUAR-HEADER-COOLANT-TANK-MMN4400-ENCLIFF4400-/121425190898?=ptUK/Carsparts_Vehicles_CarPart_SM&Hash=item1c45815ff

 

 

At least this part will be available over the long term...the Peugeot tank is already nearly 30 years old and won't be supplied by Peugeot much longer...plus the Jaguar tank looks the part in the Lotus engine bay....the Peugeot one looks kind of budget.

Shame the link doesn't work! Any chance of a photo?

[Simon350S]

I just this second clicked it and it's working ok on my iPad.

Personally I'd just buy a couple from Peugeot and keep the spare on the shelf in case Peugeot do run out/stop making them. Should see the car well through your ownership.

That brown crap is just accumulated shite and rust from the coolant system and is ver common. give your system a good flush through with a hose pipe while the engine is running, preferably thermostat removed, then fill her up with nice clean and fresh antifreeze

I've looked at your first photos and I can't seem to be able to see the float that slides up and down inside the tube?

[Chillidoggy]

The link doesn't work for me.

[Simon350S]

121425190898

Copy and paste that number into the eBay search box. It's the auction item code

[Chillidoggy]

Hmmmm. Interesting.