I know I probably shouldn't have...

[Markas]

... but I bought a cheap 2.0l petrol Bongo as a campervan project!
Hmm, I hear you say, what a twit!

Anyway, having had it transported back to my place, I've become aware that the temperature gauge does not move off the stops while the car is on the move, no matter how long it's driven for. The longest run I've made so far is about half an hour, but elsewhere on the forum it's suggested that the engine should be up to operating temperature in 10 minutes or so. I'm pretty sure that the thermostat has either stuck open or been removed to cover an underlying problem.

As I'm a glass half empty kind of guy, I'm assuming the worst and that the head gasket has gone and the head probably cracked. Is my assessment correct? I'm intending to get a specialist to work on the car as I was planning to get the cambelt changed anyway as matter of course. I'm concerned that 2.0 cylinder heads don't appear to be available anywhere, or am I looking in the wrong places? Would a specialist importer/ converter be able to get hold of one?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Mark

[jimmo62]

Sounds more like the gauge or sender is faulty or disconnected.

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome. 2 litre heads are not commonly reported on here as having crack problems. Is it starting and driving fine? If so then, as said above, I'd investigate less sinister possibilities first. Good luck & keep us posted

[cmm303]

Welcome to the forum, albeit in worrying circumstances for you.

As already indicated by the earlier replies, you can justifiably start off with your glass half full on this query!
It is verging on techie so don't be put off if a mod considers it appropriate to move it to the Techie section.

There is a very similar current post from somebody else with a 2L petrol whose temp gauge isn't moving except in exceptional circumstances. Check it out here.. Pobably worth following it. The slight difference with yours is that you say your gauge doesn't move at all, which could also point to a fault with the gauge or connectivity between the sensor and the gauge.

The 2L is the simplest to maintain of the 3 engine types and was shared with the Mazda 626. It does not require the same fastidious manual bleeding process of the diesel or the V6 so whilst having a specialist at hand is ideal, you could use a competent independent that you trust.

[Markas]

Thank you for making me feel welcome and offering some positive comments. I'm borderline paranoid about vehicles overheating, probably because I also have an MGTF.

An update to my post yesterday; the temperature gauge did move up to the normal 11pm position and stayed there when I went to view the van last week, however that was while it was stationary; we kept it ticking over for a good 20 minutes in last weekend's warm weather and the gauge held steady with the electric fan kicking in and out as you would expect.

I spent some time yesterday afternoon road testing the van to investigate the gauge's movement further. As mentioned in the other current thread, it stays below C while the vehicle is moving. However, at maneuvering speeds or stationary it begins to rise, but drops off again as soon as you get underway. that's why I'm thinking the 'stat has been removed, followed by "so why did they do that?"

Good news that the 2.0 heads are not prone to cracking; can they take a reskim? Is a thicker head gasket required and available to compensate for this?
Will also have a discussion with my local non-specialist garage to see if they fancy taking on the work of investigating it further.

Mark

[Scratch]

I had the same problem with my 2L petrol bongo when I bought it. My Bongo friendly garage had a couple of attempts to fix it but without success. My thread is on here somewhere, and due to the fact that the gauge moved when stationary in slow moving traffic it was suggested that I get a new thermostat. New thermostat fitted and no more problems. I would try this before you panic unduly.

[mitchelln]

It's me, the OP from the other thread

Got mine booked in at the weekend to change the thermostat and sender (why muck about whilst it's in bits anyway!)
In the mean time everything is fine. Header tank rock steady at the full mark, fan kicking in okay. I do hate cooling worries though! Ex classic Mini owner
Heater does appear to be working, so it probably is the sender at fault. But like I say, for the sake of a few pounds why muck about. I'll let you know how I get on.

Also considering doing the mod that gets the gauge to show a proper representation of the temperature rather than Mazda's bizarre version of the truth. It does involve removing the instrument cluster though...

Having no worries with the 2L petrol by the way. Using it as my commute vehicle with some big hills en-route. It's absolutely fine. Mine is a tin top with mid conversion. The lack of auto top makes it a little bit lighter. Mileage not bad either. Probably getting a bit over 30mpg.

[mikeonb4c]

It's me, the OP from the other thread

Got mine booked in at the weekend to change the thermostat and sender (why muck about whilst it's in bits anyway!)
In the mean time everything is fine. Header tank rock steady at the full mark, fan kicking in okay. I do hate cooling worries though! Ex classic Mini owner
Heater does appear to be working, so it probably is the sender at fault. But like I say, for the sake of a few pounds why muck about. I'll let you know how I get on.

Also considering doing the mod that gets the gauge to show a proper representation of the temperature rather than Mazda's bizarre version of the truth. It does involve removing the instrument cluster though...

Having no worries with the 2L petrol by the way. Using at as my commute vehicle with some big hills en-route. It's absolutely fine. Mine is a tin top with mid conversion. The lack of auto top makes it a little bit lighter. Mileage not bad either. Probably getting a bit over 30mpg.

Goodo, sounds good, keep us posted.

[cmm303]

...

Also considering doing the mod that gets the gauge to show a proper representation of the temperature rather than Mazda's bizarre version of the truth. It does involve removing the instrument cluster though...

Once you've removed the instrument cluster once you'll have no problem - it's straightforward! Mod on temp gauge costs pence and whilst it does not give you actual temperatures to use it gives great insight into what the cooling system is doing.

[mitchelln]

Thanks for the reassurance

I've also got a TM-4 with coolant alarm on order. Not taking any chances!

Busy weekend ahead!

[cmm303]

Thanks for the reassurance

I've also got a TM-4 with coolant alarm on order. Not taking any chances!

Busy weekend ahead!

Tweaking the standard temp gauge not half as critical then.

[mitchelln]

No, just covering all bases