Eagle owner needs some advise

Gary LaBombard · October 23, 2015, 02:03:53 PM

Hello Guys,
Been awhile. I just got done putting all new hoses, clamps etc for my cooling system. I have not filled the entire system as yet, need more coolant mix but my question is:
1) how do you monitor your coolant level on your system with no sight glass? It will take a little running to have my entire system charged full but I have no idea how to maintain this level in the future. Stupid question I am sure but I am full of them from here on out as I get her ready for in bus start up test run. Thanks for information ahead of time.
Gary

Oonrahnjay · October 23, 2015, 02:13:38 PM

Quote from: Gary LaBombard on October 23, 2015, 02:03:53 PM
Hello Guys,
Been awhile. I just got done putting all new hoses, clamps etc for my cooling system. I have not filled the entire system as yet, need more coolant mix but my question is:
1) how do you monitor your coolant level on your system with no sight glass? It will take a little running to have my entire system charged full but I have no idea how to maintain this level in the future. Stupid question I am sure but I am full of them from here on out as I get her ready for in bus start up test run. Thanks for information ahead of time.
Gary

Hey Gary, welcome back! The simple way is to look down the filler with a light (if you can reach it) or use a dipstick. Of course, you have a level indicator with a warning light, right? But I'd want something more than the simple way -- a sight glass, a see-through header tank, a level indicator with a gauge, etc.; sorry, I have no knowledge of what's practical or reasonable on an Eagle. But that's how I'd be thinking.

luvrbus · October 23, 2015, 02:30:54 PM

Since you mounted the surge tank already with out a sight glass the easiest is tee off where the line goes to the T stat housing from the surge tank install a 1/4 in valve there and turn a piece of copper tubing up to 1/2 way on the tank open the valve and it will tell you the level fwiw you never fill a Eagle to the top.Or you can always carry a stick or a ruler hanging from a small chain a little tacky but you see it with Eagle people

Iceni John · October 23, 2015, 04:04:53 PM

Easy, make a level gauge! OK, it's not that easy (nothing ever is), but I made one recently for my coolant header tank, and it works well. I posted here a short while ago about this, but I ended up going the easy route using high-temperature thick-wall silicone tubing (what the home-brew folk use for their wort). My header tank has a 1/4" outlet near the bottom and a 1/2' outlet near the top for some coolant hoses going to the engine and radiator - I simply tee'd into them and used some brass fittings and a nice high-temperature brass ball valve, with a length of 1/2" x 3/4" silicone tube between them. Its translucent enough that I can see the green coolant inside it, and I'll put marks on it for the minimum and maximum cold levels. The tubing sits inside a length of aluminum 3/4" channel to keep it from flopping about, and so far it hasn't shown any tendency to bulge under pressure when the engine's fully up to temperature. I was going to buy some braided reinforced silicone tubing instead, but I don't think I need that after all. Simple, cheap, works well, what's not to like?!

John

eagle19952 · October 23, 2015, 08:26:35 PM

paint stir stick here...i did paint the handle end with silver Krylon though

luvrbus · October 24, 2015, 03:45:33 AM

His best bet for him if he wants a sight glass is weld a fitting on the surge tank Eagle was a little tight with outlets on their surge tank on a 05 all they have is air bleeder connection to the engine and a pressure relief valve tap, most Eagle owners just stick it like Donald with his silver handle paint stick

it works

Gary LaBombard · October 24, 2015, 04:55:23 AM

Good information from all, as usual Cliff, I go in favor for yours & Donald's as being simple and just as useful. One more question Cliff, you said not to fill the Eagle completly up with coolant, at what level do you keep the surge tank full?

luvrbus · October 24, 2015, 05:02:29 AM

Fill it half full Gary it is on there for expansion you fill it full it just blows it out your bus will tell you what level it is happy with after running it a while

Gary LaBombard · October 24, 2015, 01:32:20 PM

Will do, thanks Cliff and all who commented.