Hi! I just bought an MG TF from 2003 and need some advice

+1 for the low coolant alarms that our forum colleague Bruce Cotsell makes. Look for "MGF / MG TF - LOW COOLANT ALARM KIT - No Drilling Required - THE ORIGINAL! " on Ebay from seller Bcotsell. 
They are one of the more cost effective low coolant alarms, it utilises your existing coolant bottle,and is easy to fit.  Ive done 2 of them. 
If Bruce spots this thread on the forum he may offer a discount for ordering directly.


It's worth bookmarking Mgfntfbitz site. Beside whats on their website they have a lot of good 2nd hand parts so it's worth dropping them an email to check when you need something. Excellent to deal with and its rare for me to go anywhere else..

You havent said whereabouts you are on the planet ?

Im in London. I made the post very late at night. thanks for the recommendation this will save me a huge amount of money

I just found this on YT.  I'm not affiliated in any way but it will give you some insight in to a coolant alarm system.

Coolant Alarm.

There numerous ways to a low coolant warning alarm, this is what I used for a replacement expansion tank, they are better made than the MG one and are fitted with two prongs for sensing the coolant level, some vendors include the plug and a length of wire as this one does.
VW Volkswagen Polo 6R Coolant Reservoir Expansion Tank Fluid Bottle 6Q0121407B Completed
I used the LOW water level version of this HIGH level alarm; High Water Level Silent Alarm With Random Colour Flashing LED 12V Buy It Now
The seller will list one if you ask, because I have lost all of my high frequency hearing a buzzer is of no use to me but they  do make one with a buzzer. Installation is simple, after mounting the tank with a short strip of metal for a bracket, you then connect the two white wire (they need to be extended to reach) to the expansion tank plug, then a source of power (I got mine from the USB charger that replaced the cigarette lighter)  and fit the warning light. I placed the light in one of the switch blanks in front of the gearlever, when the LED flashes in alternating colours you will certainly see it. I got the idea from someone on the MGF Register

TA22GT wrote:

I just found this on YT.  I'm not affiliated in any way but it will give you some insight in to a coolant alarm system.

Coolant Alarm.
 

That is the Browns & Gammon unit, which I have, it is excellent, very easy to fit and  over 10+ yrs has not given me any trouble or false alarms.

I’ve used the VW tank for more years than I care to remember & apart from the blue screw top interfering with the cat flap when topping up, it’s fit & forget.
Fit & forget, that is until someone points out that the blowoff value of the cap is greater than the designed pressure of the original.
I then have a week of worrying until the thought fades again.
As our friend says a simple angled bracket & a little rearranging of the plumbing & it’s fine.
How the alarm is instituted by others is unknown to me as I built my own until I bought a monumentally good Australian unit at a monumentally cheep price off eBay.
The days of carrying a spare cap are now long gone.
M

Bruce Cotsell's low coolant alarms are reccomended. I've fitted 2 of them to TFs. Inexpensive and straightforward

I recently fitted one of Bruce's alarms and I agree with Notanumber.
They are easy to fit, it comes with comprehensive instructions and for the price I should have fitted one years ago.

With our car I should probably get a high water alarm 

Coolant-wise, go for the oat stuff like others said. Maybe grab a spare cap too, they can be finicky sometimes.

Welcome to the forum! As a fellow newbie, I can relate to the excitement and nerves. Definitely get that low coolant alarm asap, it's a lifesaver from what i've read here.

I


I also just fitted one of Bruce’s alarms but to my Rover 100 (1996), and, having a conventional front-engined vehicle, I swapped Bruce’s piezo buzzer for a combined light-and-sound alarm (£2 on ebay), which I fitted to the dash, consulting with Bruce beforehand as to the feasibility.      I like the fact that, as the ignition is turned on, Bruce’s alarm gives a short beep (or short beep and flash in my case): it’s confirmation to the driver that the circuit is live and functioning. 

Notanumber wrote:

Bruce Cotsell's low coolant alarms are reccomended. I've fitted 2 of them to TFs. Inexpensive and straightforward

Apologies for the shameless advertising, but since it's been mentioned above...

My coolant alarm kits are available from eBay for a reasonable price.  But members of The-T-Bar can benefit from a respectable discount by buying from me direct.  Just send me a private message here on The-T-Bar.  I am happy to send them abroad and do a LHD version.