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Coolant level tool

Discussion in '348/355' started by johnk..., Mar 28, 2016.

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  1. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    John Kreskovsky
    #1 johnk..., Mar 28, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I got tired of sticking my finger in the coolant tank to check the coolant level so I made this simple tool. It's 16.125 mm of clear plastic, 5/16" tubing with a plastic disk fixed at the 1/2 length point. A mark is made on each end of the tube 6 mm below the disk. To use it you place either end in the filler neck with the disk resting on the top of the neck. Then put your finger over the open end and removed the tool. There should be coolant in the tube. If it is above the black mark, technically there is too much coolant in the expansion tank. If there is no coolant in the tube, the level is low. Of course, the level will change slightly with temperature so if you measure when the coolant is 50* it will be lower than when it is at 80*. Remember, never removed the cap when the engine is still warm. Measurement should only be made when the coolant is ay ambient temperature.
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  2. cf355

    cf355 F1 Rookie

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    #2 cf355, Mar 28, 2016
    beats the finger method :)
     
  3. WATSON

    WATSON Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #3 WATSON, Mar 28, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Wow. Yours is really fancy. Mine is just a stick of balsa wood (so if I drop it in the tank floats ) :)

    Black is the tank lip.

    Coolant between the two red lines.
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  4. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #4 johnk..., Mar 28, 2016
    Yep. I have one of those too. Too much dripping. Plus, this new one works for my 308 too. :)
     
  5. SeattleM5

    SeattleM5 Formula 3
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    #5 SeattleM5, Mar 28, 2016
    Well done, I like that.
     
  6. Dave rocks

    Dave rocks F1 World Champ
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    #6 Dave rocks, Mar 28, 2016
    Very cool, John :)
     
  7. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #7 f355spider, Mar 28, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    6cm from the top of the filler neck is the spec I believe.
    I purchased a $3 stainless steel metric pocket ruler with a slider stop at a local tool supply shop. (I'm sure you can find them on Ebay or Amazon)
    I insert it to the stop, if the ruler is dry, then I add a bit of distilled water or coolant until it touches.

    Works for me....
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  8. yelcab

    yelcab F1 World Champ
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    #8 yelcab, Mar 28, 2016
    Where is that song? Ah, "... too much time on my hand ...."
     
  9. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #9 johnk..., Mar 28, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2016
    Styx.

    Retired, 69th birthday coming up, raining like he!! What's a guy to do at 6 AM in the morning? Though, how much time does it take to drill a 5/16" hole in a piece of plastic?

    And yes, dimensions should be in cm's not mm's. Frigin' metric system.
     
  10. GTO Joe

    GTO Joe Formula 3
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    #10 GTO Joe, Mar 28, 2016
    Hey, at least you won't have to draw a black line on your finger anymore. :)
     
  11. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 fatbillybob, Mar 28, 2016
    LOL! Past posts have you a buyer of services iirc? We are going to make a DIY'ER out of you yet.
     
  12. DavidLMcAfee

    DavidLMcAfee Formula Junior

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    #12 DavidLMcAfee, Mar 28, 2016
    Neat idea. Easy to make, too.
     
  13. taz355

    taz355 F1 Veteran
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    #13 taz355, Mar 29, 2016
    John you need to put this in the diy sticky, nice work!
     
  14. johnk...

    johnk... F1 World Champ
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    #14 johnk..., Mar 29, 2016
    I do what I can. But when it comes to major I'm not interested, even if I had a lift (God knows I have the time). I'm kind of ADD. I get bored quickly. If it can't be done in an hour it's going to take me a week. I can see the result of me starting a major on the 355. It would not end well; "For Sale, 355 spider, some assembly required". :)
     

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