Disappearing water float

[Tinkley]

Now I'm sure loads of you must have had this. Where does the float that operates the low level switch in the radiator disappear to? I have 'lost' 2 so far. This is without removing the switch until much later on. The level is in fact fine right up to the brim so to speak but when the float goes walkabout the indicator lights up as it should. In fact I've been driving for 3 years with the poxy thing lit up but the level has only needed light topping at worst twice a year.
Is it safe to make a cork one, or one out of another material?. The original must have been chewed by the water pump so I don't want to make one out of something that will block a cooling passageway or jam the pump. I searched the archive but couldn't find it as a topic, perhaps someone could point me in the right direction. It might be nice to eventually sort it. I did fit a new one to one of the cars and it was in there before I swapped the rad upon which time it had disappeared mysteriously even though the car had not run for at least 2 years and it had been working. Never found the float though......even filling the rad prior to fitting to try and trace it failed!

[citronut]

cork one will not work,
as its a magnetic switch, the float magnetically pulls the switch in the main body to the off position,

regards malcolm

[kiwi]

I thought the newer switches were just two prongs? They have been in the BXs I have now that I have looked at? Its been years since I saw a float type.

[RobC]

Yes, as far as I know the water level is measured by two prongs measuring conductivity: if there's no water then it shorts to earth and the the low level light comes on.

[Tinkley]

The switches in my radiators are 2 prong with a float. They have to be put in so the float bubble is upperside. The bottom of the float has two grooves which run on the two prongs. When the float drops contact is made and the light comes on, on the dash. I thought it was a metal to metal contact so would have fabricated a contact from some beryllium copper but if it is a magnet that makes it a bit more tricky. Maybe have to bite the bullet and see if I can buy a new one.
I think one would have got 'lost' in the crash as it worked prior to that, reasonable o/s front end crunch. Just where the other one went, I have'nt a clue. Draining both systems has not shown it up, maybe stuck somewhere in the engine block. Maybe chewed to little bits by the water pump!. Oh the magnet bit hasn't made it to the magnetic sump plug either!

[RobC]

Interesting - I didn't know that's how they worked! Learn a new thing every day

[citronut]

I think one would have got 'lost' in the crash as it worked prior to that, reasonable o/s front end crunch. Just where the other one went, I have'nt a clue. Draining both systems has not shown it up, maybe stuck somewhere in the engine block. Maybe chewed to little bits by the water pump!. Oh the magnet bit hasn't made it to the magnetic sump plug either!

if it found its way to the sump plug you have got serious problems

can you post a picy of yours

another thought maybe in the impact it may have severed some wires to you sensor?????

regards malcolm

[Tinkley]

Hi Malcolm. Do you mean the switch part with the prongs? Obviously I don't have the float part itself.
It's a while since I put one of these in but I did it with both the 1.4 and the Athena - same radiator for both and I swapped one over as it was much cleaner before I scrapped the 1.4. Funny thing is I had to raid it for seat belts too but thats another story! If it is magnetic it must be a very light magnet.
BTW I ran flushing oil through recommissioned unit for 35 mins, well worth it as it came out pretty black, and no debris on magnetic plug a good sign.
It was only the 1.4 that mixed oil and water in the head area - so far, even that wasn't enough for a full sized float to pass though though!!

[Defender110]

Never seen ta float type on a diesel BX don't know about petrols.

[Way2go]

Hi Malcolm. Do you mean the switch part with the prongs? Obviously I don't have the float part itself.

Does this switch actually have a float, after all it does not give a level indication, only a simple on-off indication? This can be achieved with two prongs in the water that conduct if it is covered with water and not if it isn't, being converted to the on-off logic for the lamp.

[Tinkley]

Basically its a reed switch, which is what Malcolm was alluding to: as it contains a magnet. When it is upright it is in the 'OFF' position ie no contact and when it falls (due to level of coolant) it switches a contact with the magnet to the 'ON' position. It's shown in the Haynes (Blue) under Cooling Section 3.

[citronut]

not sure if its the floaty or prong type but still shows as available on service citroen,
price and part No. below

Part Number Description Quantity Price excl. VAT Price incl. VAT Total incl. VAT Selection
0000130647 LEVEL DETECTOR 10.93 GBP 13.12 GBP 13.12 GBP

regards malcolm

[kiwi]

Never seen ta float type on a diesel BX don't know about petrols.

I never seen one on the diesel either Only coolant level switches I have seen are on petrols hence my earlier reply.

[Way2go]

It's shown in the Haynes (Blue) under Cooling Section 3.

Well that's pretty definite from that source then! Whether these were superseded by the electronic type (that would be cheaper to manufacture than a mechanical unit) we will only know if others have actually seen them in (or for) the BX.

[kiwi]

Put it another way! I have not seen one in a BX for over 10 years! Not checked the Diesel but I know 4 other BX petrol I have had did not have a float. I think the conclusion is that Haynes was produced when the BX came out way back in 1980 something and the only reprint was minor for the p2.