Scan Guage OR Engine Watchdog...???

Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 10, 2012 at 22:40
ThreadID: 91148 Views:3306 Replies:8 FollowUps:5
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I will collect my new '79 Series V8 Diesel Landruiser single cab in about a week from now. I am tossing up as to what to do about engine and possibly gearbox temp warning? Don't want to drill into radiator for low coolant alarm, so looking at alternatives.

While Watchdog consists of thermal sensors bolted direcly to points on engine, gearbox etc. it appears that Scanguage connects to a single test point of the computer system, and I was wondering how reliable it is in sensing engine temp etc. How would it act if coolant was lost, and would it "alarm" in time?

Welcome comments from those who have used Scan Guage or Watchdog, as to their suitability and or reliability. Thanks in advance.

regards
Fred B
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Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 01:07

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 01:07
Hi Fred,

I have the scanguage on my 200 and while it can meaure things like auto gearbox temp, coolant temp and post-intercooler temp, amongst a myriad of other things, it doesn't have any alarm capabilities. But it still has so many useful features, including the ability to read and clear fault codes, that it should be high on your priority list of purchases for your new vehicle.

But if you want alarm capablities, then something like the Watchdog would be required.

Cheers

Captain
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Reply By: Member - Serendipity(WA) - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 01:39

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 01:39
Hi Fred

Congratulations on the new car. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I have mine.

I bought the scan gauge, engine watch dog, turbo temp gauge, and engine saver. The engine save is a low coolant alarm that fits into the plug on top of your radiator and there is no way you could stand that noise in your car if it goes off.

http://www.enginesaver.com.au/Toyota_Nissan.htm

Cheers

Serendipity

PS - I also feed mine two stroke oil every fill up of diesel.



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Follow Up By: Member - Bucky - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 06:14

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 06:14
Serendipity

Go the Engine Saver

I did

Cheers
Bucky
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Reply By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 08:17

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 08:17
I dont know about the V8 diesel Fred but normally there is a blanked tapped hole in the top radiator tank or upper or lower themostat housing you can use, but Watchdog is just a bolt on Sensor for the head or upper block. It measures temp not low coolant. I made my own low coolant setup and works fine for about $60
Michael


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Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 08:25

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 08:25
Just to add Fred, I think that the low coolant alarm is much more important than an aftermarket temp guage, as soon as the level drops a cup or two, the alarm is on and you have saved the majority of your water but you can lose a lot of water before the temp rises and something like a watchdog alarms to let you know. Both is still probably better but the low water is stil most important,, Opinion does vary on this subject... Michael
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 10:17

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 10:17
I totally agree with Michael about the good value of a low water level alarm.

I ruined a 3 year-old Subaru due to a failed heater hose and although I could smell hot oil, the engine temperature gauge was reading normal. (I assumed the smell was from the car ahead of me)

Low water alarm probes can be fitted without drilling into the radiator tank, but what is the big deal about not drilling a hole? It can be done easily and safely. Is it insecurity that creates the phobia? Is it preferable to take the risk of major engine damage to avoid a small hole? The photo below shows my electrode, a 4mm stainless steel bolt locknutted through the plastic top-tank near the hose spout. Works a treat and no worries.

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Allan

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Follow Up By: Member - Brad H (WA) - Friday, Jan 13, 2012 at 18:53

Friday, Jan 13, 2012 at 18:53
Hi Michael,
Would you mind sharing how you made your own low coolant alarm for $60? And could an electrickery dunce like myself do it?
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Follow Up By: Member - Brad H (WA) - Friday, Jan 13, 2012 at 18:53

Friday, Jan 13, 2012 at 18:53
Hi Michael,
Would you mind sharing how you made your own low coolant alarm for $60? And could an electrickery dunce like myself do it?
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Reply By: MEMBER - Darian, SA - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 09:05

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 09:05
I use the Watchdog on my LC100 - seems very reliable - I have the sensor fitted to a bolt near the front of the head. Good display, loud enough alarm and easy to adjust the tripping point. It has gone off once or twice when the engine was turned off on hot days and the block temperature had risen (normal of course) - I just needed to 'up' the set margin a bit (but those occasions are a unit test in themselves :-o).
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Reply By: Member - Tony H (touring oz) - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 09:24

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 09:24
Ditto for engine saver, a great product & David the boss is a very friendly & helpful guy who stands behind the product & will answer all your questions.... As previously mentioned a low coolant alarm is probably better than a high temp alarm ( in the first instance). I also have a scan gauge which is a great tool/driving aid
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Enjoy your new Tojo
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Reply By: Rod W - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 09:49

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 09:49
I'm one of those people who regularly monitor the vehicle instrumentation. I've noticed with the Scan Gauge that when cruising the temperature is steady but when under load like going up a hill you can see the temperature increase in one degree increments and then decrease when going down hill and or back to cruising. I'm very happy with the Scan Gauge, but will I notice it when really needed... hopefully
AnswerID: 474649

Reply By: member - mazcan - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 12:58

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 12:58
hi fred b
i have a watchdog unit on my old bravo
i tryed it at the front at first
but after shifting it to the rear of the block i found it was
much more sensitive to engine temp changes in comparison to the front mounting point where it was in the fan slip stream
and on one occasion when a top hose failed it went off very promply and also varies when road changes from flat to hills
i mounted it at the rear because that area of the engine is away from the direct fan draft of air and rises quickly in temp
if a fan belt or hose fails and /or water level drops
in the above instance
the engine temp gauge didnt start to change until well after the falure of the hose where as the watchdog had done its barking and saved the day
by the time the vehicles temp gauge register the change i have found over the years the damage is done which is typical for most vehicle temp gauges
so i give my vote to the watchdog
cheers barry
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Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 13:24

Wednesday, Jan 11, 2012 at 13:24
Hi All,
thankyou for your replies; after reading your replies and my own research, I have decided to go with Scanguage, Watchdog and Engine saver. All offer different things, so we will see how we go. With the possibility of $20 - $30K engine repairs if things go wrong, it's worth a couple of hundred in insurance... lol.. (:

Still looking at the possability of installing "water watch" in the fuel line as well.

regards
Fred B
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