Coolant tank empty

[Syner]

Hi there,

I'm new to the world of Bongos. I bought a 1995 N Reg 2.5 Diesel last week. It had just passed its MOT. I drove it home to Bristol from Ludlow, no problems. Then I drove it back to my parents in Buckinghamshire and then back to Bristol - no problems.

Earlier in the week we drove from Bristol to Ashburton and back. Again no problems.

After doing lots of reading online about general maintainence of the Bongo, I ordered an oil filter, oil, air filter etc...

Then I went for a look around the engine to familiarise myself with the different parts. On inspection, I discovered the coolant tank was bone dry. Now, I haven't experienced any overheating, white smoke, steam etc... It's been chucking it down with rain, so I can't tell if there has been any leakage under the bongo. I have checked the oil filler cap and there is no grey, white residue evident.

I'm now terrified that I'm going to find out I have a cracked head gasket, cracked cylinder etc... and it's going to cost me 1000's of pounds.

I plan to get it towed to ADS Bongo Specialists in Bristol tomorrow. I now also understand, there is such a thing as a low coolant alarm. I'll be asking to get this fitted also.

Is there any way to assess the damage myself, other than the checks I have already done? What should I expect in terms of damage? Is there a chance I might be lucky?

Best,
James

[westonwarrior]

you are doing exactly right in getting it checked

Hopefully its nothing serious but best get it bled properly and tested for a low coolant alarm see Haydn Callow member of this forum

[g8dhe]

If you haven't actually overheated then you might just be OK!
The tanks can be difficult to see thru in some cases are you sure that there isn't some coolant on the deeper lefthand side ?
If the tank is dirty use a lollipop stick mark a line 2cm from the bottom and when the tank is cool dip it vertically down the fill hole, if it covers the mark then you OK.

I believe ADS (for some strange reason!!!) don't like or fit the LCA's or at least that is what has been reported, but if your a diesel then its almost essential.

[Syner]

Thanks for the speedy replies.

The tank is very difficult to see through. However, I dipped a wooden chopstick into the tank yesterday and got nothing.

Can you recommend a garage in Bristol that are happy to fit the alarm? Seems strange that they're reluctant to do this. Do you know what their rationale for this is?

[BigPanzer]

Hi,

ADS in Bristol are highly regarded in the Bongo community. I've used them twice and found them second to none.

You really don't need a garage to fit an LCA - if you use the one from Haydn, they come with everything you need and they really are a doddle to fit. If you do attempt it and get stuck there is plenty if advice available on here.

Peter

[Syner]

Thanks Peter,

On a side note. How can I tell if my bongo is 4x4 or a 2wd. Haydn just asked me over the phone in regards to getting it towed. I'm not actually sure which it is.

[Muzorewa]

Have a look under the nearside, you'll have a short propeller shaft going from the back of the gearbox to the rear axle. If it's 4WD you'll also have a very long (articulated) prop to the front axle.

You can also tell from the chassis number but that's not a certain result as you don't know whether your Bongo has the original gearbox or if a 4WD system has been disabled and reduced to 2WD.

[Syner]

Thank you, I will check.

Does anyone know if ADS Automotive in Bristol accepts credit cards?

[Syner]

I just watched a youtube video of how to fit a Haydn alarm. The alarm appears to be a small red LED light attached near the dash. When I was camping in Ashburton I noticed a small red LED light dangling from the side of the steering wheel. I was ignorant to what it was and thought maybe it was something to do with the imobiliser and thought I just hadn't noticed it flashing before.

Now i'm think it must be a low coolant alarm. Which means I would have driven it about 110 miles back to Bristol after the alarm first went off.

I have managed to feed a strip of long paper into the deeper part of the coolant tank. It absorbed a bit of red liquid ) about 2mm deep.

[Muzorewa]

The Haydn alarms are normally audible too so you may not have a coolant alarm.

If you do have an alarm, when you look at the expansion tank there will be two wires screwed into the front of it, one between Min & Max and one below the Min line, the screws penetrate into the coolant and enable the system to determine when to trigger the alarm.

[mountainmummy]

Hi

Not able to help in the Techie side, but curious. Did you buy privately or from a dealer?

Also were you given any service history etc with the van?

Oh and good luck.

Sara

[Syner]

Not from a Bongo dealer but from a used car forecourt.

It had some service history.

[haydn callow]

If the LED was part of a coolant alarm...it would not be flashing ( just permanently on ) and there would be a loud siren driving you nuts.
It's a long story why ADS don't fit our alarms......lets just say ALL main/big dealers who sell bongos fit them before sale. It makes no sense not to fit one to your bongo......

[Syner]

Oh, ok. I wonder what that light does then?

[Bob]

Possibly tell tale for rear fog light?