Leyland Daf, how to get to the water?

[Louby]

Hi, I recently bought a Leyland Daf 150 and the other day was sussing out where the oil, water, clutch fluid was but couldnt find at first where the water went. It is a non tilt cab ( I know I know ) and I eventually found the water resorvoir above where the oil goes behind the cab on the passenger side. The problem I have is how do I check it and put water in it? There is an inspection 'door' to access this area but at a height to do the oil but I cant see any way of checking the water lever as you would have to be Houdini to get to it. Ive seen other wagons like this but obviously had no need to get to this area, plus this wagon was owned for years by the previous owner so they must have at some point needed to add/check water.
Any ideas please?

 

[Morag4]

Could you not ask the previous owner?

 

[Louby]

Yes I could phone them but having asked how does this work, that etc etc, just thought someone on here may know before I mithered them again.

 

[Mike007]

If you have found the header tank above the oil filler, fill with antifreeze/water mix till it comes out . Use the cap on the side not the one on top. And most important ,find your brake fluid reservoirs (2 of) down on the near side of the chassis if I recall correctly.Have your tyre pressures checked at a tyre centre ,and get them to check the tyres for condition.If you can afford it ,put two new ones on the front. NO FOOT ,NO HORSE!Keep a pick axe handle or heavy jacking bar handy and before each run ,give all the tyres a thump to check for air . Check lights , horn wipers mirrors,wheel nuts for tightness (look for rust streaks) If it is fitted with pretty wheel trims /hub caps ,use them as frizbees onto the nearest scrap pile.You need to check the wheel nuts each time you use the truck so get rid of this garbage. Make sure that all your dashboard warning lights work. Happy motoring.

 

[Louby]

Great thanks Mike. I never noticed a cap on the side, just the one on the top but will have another look. Thanks for the other advice too

 

[Mike007]

You are entirely welcome. It is refreshing to see a horsebox owner trying to do it right.

 

[D66]

Can I muscle in on this thread and ask how to recharge the battery on a Daf?

 

[Louby]

We had to take them off our last wagon and charge them individually with a 12v battery charger overnight.

 

[D66]

We had to take them off our last wagon and charge them individually with a 12v battery charger overnight.

Where do I start looking for them?

 

[Louby]

On my Daf they are under the chassis, behind the cab on the drivers side. Mine has a locker that you open to get to them. A bit of a pain to get to and undo though as not much room under there.

 

[Louby]

Im trying to remember now which side they are on but my isolator is on that side. If not, look in the same place but on the other side of the wagon

 

[D66]

Im trying to remember now which side they are on but my isolator is on that side. If not, look in the same place but on the other side of the wagon

Off to have a look directly.

 

[Louby]

Have fun!

 

[D66]

Back again. I've found them, How do you get them out?

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

You will probably have a threaded bolt & a bar that holds the batteries in place. You undo that & then disconnect the battery terminals & then lift the batteries out. Ensure you remember which way round the batteries go so you return them to their same position & you reconnect the terminal leads correctly.

 

[D66]

You will probably have a threaded bolt & a bar that holds the batteries in place. You undo that & then disconnect the battery terminals & then lift the batteries out. Ensure you remember which way round the batteries go so you return them to their same position & you reconnect the terminal leads correctly.

Thanks TZ, for the moment i have chickened out and called a mechanic to jump start it in the morning. I did have a go at looking under the flap - I couldn't even see the terminals properly.

 

[Louby]

Glad you found them, we had to crawl underneath, managed to sit up and disconnect them. Hope you get it sorted.

 

[D66]

Glad you found them, we had to crawl underneath, managed to sit up and disconnect them. Hope you get it sorted.

It is parked over a puddle:O but there is a flap to open, but it is hinged at the top and only opens to 90 degrees, so useless. when I get my head under the flap my glasses go sideways.

 

[Louby]

It is parked over a puddle:O but there is a flap to open, but it is hinged at the top and only opens to 90 degrees, so useless. when I get my head under the flap my glasses go sideways.

Eeeeek, looking like a snorkel and frog suit!

 

[D66]

Eeeeek, looking like a snorkel and frog suit!

Opted for "Get-A-Man-In" this time. I had a go with a smart recharger, it told me the clamps were not fitted correctly. As I couldn't see another way of attaching them I've given up. Though I will watch carefully and ask questions.