Date:         Sat, 30 May 2015 06:11:21 -0700
Reply-To:     Brett Ne <brettn777@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Brett Ne <brettn777@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 82 diesel coolant tanks $99 each
In-Reply-To:  <CAAj276w6GggfUJm-vWZBzyEg8AW1_KnWcZUi+-pPjD5L1Hx5yA@mail.gmail.com>
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So far mine is holding up well, but I'd really like to rettrofit a coolant
level sensor into it.  There is a reinforced boss on the top of the tank
that looks like it was made for the level sensor.  The sensor size & thread
pitch is rather uncommon, making a tap very expensive & hard to find.  My
initial thought was to drill a slightly small hole and use a hot bolt of
the same threading to "cut " threads into the plastic.  This seems like a
very good way to destroy a perfectly serviceable expansion tank, but I
really don't like driving without a coolant level sensor.  With the engine
in the back, it's way too easy to have a hose rupture & all the coolant
leak out without being noticed.  Has anyone had any experience retrofitting
a sesnor into the expansion tank?  Or is there a source for 82 diesel
expansion tanks with level sensor threaded hole cut into it?  Ultimately, I
may have to try to find a machine shop that has this oddball sized tap, or
find a CNC mill that can cut the threads, or muck around with the octopus
hose system to adapt a later model expansion tank.  Has anyone had any
experience with installing a coolant level sensor into an 82 diesel
expansion tank?

Brett




--
Brett in Portland, OR
"Albert" '82 VanaFox I4 Riviera