pjgraham86
Member Since: 18 May 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 225
  
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| Low Coolant Level Warning Light |
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The coolant level warning light came on about 10 days ago or so on our D4. The tank appeared to be at least three quarters full but i topped it up to near full anyway. The light came back on briefly at start of next journey and then disappeared so i thought all good.
A week later the light came on again. Level didn't seem to have dropped at all but this time i filled it right up. Fingers crossed on next start it will be OK.
I assume that if the light comes on again that there is probably a faulty sensor ?
Thanks
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 5th Apr 2021 1:01 pm |
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Flack
Member Since: 06 Sep 2006
Location: Preston Lancashire
Posts: 6232
  
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Yes common fault, you need a new header bottle.
Flack 
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| 5th Apr 2021 1:05 pm |
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pjgraham86
Member Since: 18 May 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 225
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Thanks Flack mate. I've now searched the site (which i should have done before posting!) and it seems it's the float. Does replacing the header bottle sort that ie there's a new float in the new header bottle ?
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| 5th Apr 2021 8:18 pm |
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G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 537
 
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Yes, nee float and sensor on a new bottle normally. Buy from a reputable dealer - I.e one of the site sponsors like Advanced Factors. Defender 110 2.4 TDCi Utility Station Wagon.
2007 Disco 3 GS TDV6 Manual
200,000+ mile club 😎
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| 6th Apr 2021 1:48 pm |
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FidoNick
Member Since: 18 Jan 2021
Location: Purton, Wiltshire
Posts: 120
 
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Flack wrote:Yes common fault, you need a new header bottle.
Flack
Is this common on the D3 also? Sounds very similar to what I've been experiencing.
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| 6th Apr 2021 3:12 pm |
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G3Z
Member Since: 16 Dec 2018
Location: South Wales
Posts: 537
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Yup! Defender 110 2.4 TDCi Utility Station Wagon.
2007 Disco 3 GS TDV6 Manual
200,000+ mile club 😎
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| 6th Apr 2021 3:13 pm |
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FidoNick
Member Since: 18 Jan 2021
Location: Purton, Wiltshire
Posts: 120
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| 6th Apr 2021 3:17 pm |
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James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
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Just replaced mine last week. The video I watched online showed a D4 without a FBH so there was a LOT less room than I expected!
I removed the front grille and passenger headlamp to give more access. I had a big drip tray underneath to collect the coolant that will inevitably escape. I also bought some remote (cable operated) hose clip pliers which were really useful for the bottom hose, in fact I'm not sure I could have done it without those. I used a mini quik-clamp for the top hose and a pair of long nosed mole grips for the bottom (my hose clamp wasn't big enough)
There is a small hose at the top and a larger one at the bottom. There is also a sensor wire that plugs onto the bottle, towards the bottom on the side. You can't just pull it off, you have to pop up a wire 'circlip' on the plug before it will come off.
I took the filler tube for the washer bottle right out. The brake fluid reservoir unclipped and pushed to one side.
It took me half an hour and the hardest bits were simply manoeuvring the old one out without losing 'too' much coolant everywhere and also making sure the bottom hose is pushed on far enough on the new tank as by this point it's wet and also you don't have much room to play with once it's clamped off. When you remove it, there will be spillage (unless anyone tells me I've done it wrong) but it doesn't empty the whole bottle at all, especially if you extract quickly. I had to replace about 0.5l D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it 
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
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| 6th Apr 2021 3:42 pm |
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pjgraham86
Member Since: 18 May 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 225
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G3Z wrote:Yes, nee float and sensor on a new bottle normally. Buy from a reputable dealer - I.e one of the site sponsors like Advanced Factors.
Thanks mate
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| 7th Apr 2021 9:10 am |
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pjgraham86
Member Since: 18 May 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 225
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James W wrote:Just replaced mine last week. The video I watched online showed a D4 without a FBH so there was a LOT less room than I expected!
I removed the front grille and passenger headlamp to give more access. I had a big drip tray underneath to collect the coolant that will inevitably escape. I also bought some remote (cable operated) hose clip pliers which were really useful for the bottom hose, in fact I'm not sure I could have done it without those. I used a mini quik-clamp for the top hose and a pair of long nosed mole grips for the bottom (my hose clamp wasn't big enough)
There is a small hose at the top and a larger one at the bottom. There is also a sensor wire that plugs onto the bottle, towards the bottom on the side. You can't just pull it off, you have to pop up a wire 'circlip' on the plug before it will come off.
I took the filler tube for the washer bottle right out. The brake fluid reservoir unclipped and pushed to one side.
It took me half an hour and the hardest bits were simply manoeuvring the old one out without losing 'too' much coolant everywhere and also making sure the bottom hose is pushed on far enough on the new tank as by this point it's wet and also you don't have much room to play with once it's clamped off. When you remove it, there will be spillage (unless anyone tells me I've done it wrong) but it doesn't empty the whole bottle at all, especially if you extract quickly. I had to replace about 0.5l
Thanks James - appreciate the detailed tutorial. I think on balance I'd be happier going to my local (well regarded) indy for this.
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| 7th Apr 2021 9:12 am |
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pjgraham86
Member Since: 18 May 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 225
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It's occurred to me that since we have LR extended warranty on the car I should explore whether this might be covered. I know that if i phone the dealer they will not commit (understandably) and will want to have the car in to confirm issue. Currently bookings at the dealer are 3-4 weeks away !
Anybody care to opine whether they reckon the new header bottle will be covered ?
Thanks
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| 13th Apr 2021 8:31 am |
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James W
Member Since: 27 Mar 2008
Location: Wirral, UK
Posts: 3067
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My MotorEasy policy only covered the specific components listed explicitly as:
Cooling systems:
Engine cooling water & oil radiators, heater radiator,
thermostat & housing, temperature gauge, viscous
cooling fan couplings and water pump.
Anything not specifically listed isn't covered, so they wouldn't cover the header tank. I did wonder whether to argue that the header tank is arguably part of the radiator system but didn't have the energy so just fixed it myself for less than the price of the £50 excess anyway.
You'd have the check the T&C for the LR Warranty. Mine in the MotorEasy 'Plan B' warranty which to be fair is mostly in place in case the engine goes bang. D4 XS, gone, much loved, never forgotten
2018 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography - Gone to someone with less sense and more time to enjoy it
2016 Toyota Hilux Invincible - Liberating experience
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| 13th Apr 2021 8:52 am |
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pjgraham86
Member Since: 18 May 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 225
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Cheers James.
I'll dig out the policy and take it from there.
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| 13th Apr 2021 11:48 am |
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pjgraham86
Member Since: 18 May 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 225
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The saga rumbles on. New header tank fitted under extended warranty at end of April. Warning light back on within a few days. Back to dealer - new sensor fitted, again under warranty. Warning light back on again on first trip !!
Booking it back in again for further investigation....!
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| 14th Jun 2021 9:26 am |
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pjgraham86
Member Since: 18 May 2009
Location: Glasgow
Posts: 225
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The saga rumbles on. New header tank fitted under extended warranty at end of April. Warning light back on within a few days. Back to dealer - new sensor fitted, again under warranty. Warning light back on again on first trip !!
Booking it back in again for further investigation....!
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| 14th Jun 2021 9:29 am |
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