Loss of coolant

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Roy748
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Roy748 » Wed Jan 10, 2018 3:30 pm

Hello Geoff.
Thanks for your message. The air con appears to be ok so I am going to loop the two hoses together. I bought some 15mm copper piping with two push on brass elbow connectors. Securing with jubilee clips.
I will post if this proves successful as not sure yet if 15mm tubing will be thick enough for the rubber hoses.
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Northern Bongolow
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Northern Bongolow » Thu Jan 11, 2018 2:12 am

thanks geoff.
Roy748
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Roy748 » Thu Jan 11, 2018 11:34 am

Sorry about that Northern Bongolow.
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Northern Bongolow » Fri Jan 12, 2018 3:03 am

sorry about what, :wink: .

the copper 15mm is too small but if you solder one of these on the end of your copper it gives you the correct size and a flange for the rubber pipe/ clip to grip onto OUTSIDE of the fitting. use a mazda spring clip though, dont use a jubilee type clip.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=15mm+ ... e-YvjKVHSM:
Roy748
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Roy748 » Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:33 am

Thanks for this info, I was wondering if 15mm would be too small.
Last edited by Roy748 on Fri Jan 12, 2018 12:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Roy748
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Roy748 » Fri Jan 12, 2018 11:40 am

Can you confirm what size spring clip I need, I am guessing around 17mm - 19mm.
Roy748
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Roy748 » Fri Jan 12, 2018 12:03 pm

I have ordered a selection of makalor spring clips from 11 to 23mm in order to get the best fit. Thanks again Northern Bongolow information gained now will save much cursing later.
I am looking to replace the heater in the future as I want the van to be right, but for now this should be a good fix.
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by TheLongRoad » Fri Jan 12, 2018 3:19 pm

Bob wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2018 4:06 pm Good idea.

I have one of Haydn's, few quid well spent. 8)
Just fitted a Haydn Coolant Alarm to my 2.0 ltr Bongo. Very straight forward and easy to do, plus it's something else that goes beep - bongo's seem to like to beep :D :lol:
2002 Friendee 2.0 ltr Petrol.
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Bob » Fri Jan 12, 2018 3:55 pm

They do. :lol:

It's how they make contact and keep in touch with each other. :wink:
Roy748
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Roy748 » Fri Jan 12, 2018 6:41 pm

Fitting the coolant alarm is next on my list.. just awaiting ordered parts before I can get back to repairing. Finished the 15mm pipe bypass, thanks to Northern Bongolow I added the extra thickness I believed it needed.
I have tried to upload a picture but file too large.
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Northern Bongolow
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Northern Bongolow » Sun Jan 14, 2018 12:50 am

Roy748 wrote: Fri Jan 12, 2018 6:41 pm Fitting the coolant alarm is next on my list.. just awaiting ordered parts before I can get back to repairing. Finished the 15mm pipe bypass, thanks to Northern Bongolow I added the extra thickness I believed it needed.
I have tried to upload a picture but file too large.
theres a sorry ending to the story of a bongo on this link, it shows a temp repair etc.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=58378&hilit=anglesey.

below is a link to what another member used to do a repair.

https://www.carbuildersolutions.com/uk/ ... d-elbows-2
Roy748
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Roy748 » Sun Jan 14, 2018 4:12 pm

Oh dear that did not look good. I have checked my pipe work and other than surface rush they appear ok. I intend to hammerite them once the work is completed. I have wax oiled most of the underside, doors etc so will also add some to the pipe work too once warmer.
My van is under a car port and off road from November to April so water saturation is kept to a minimum.
I will keep an eye on it now having seen what could happen. It was MOT'd in October and the garage said it looked very good underneath.
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Roy748 » Sun Jan 14, 2018 4:38 pm

I am hopeful of picking up a replacement rear heater matrix next week at a reasonable price. I will then look at replacing the leaking unit, but I first need to read up on re gassing the system as I am not sure on how to replace the required oil in the system too. I have read about using ez chill but not enough to convince me it's possible to do myself.
I enjoy trying to educate and repair things myself but appreciate it might not be wise or possibly in all cases.

Sadly my rocker box gasket replacement is showing signs of leaking so I will be attempting this once more in the spring. Have since discovered I did not torque it down sufficiently so although it's an inconvenience I do know what to expect this time.
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Northern Bongolow
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Northern Bongolow » Mon Jan 15, 2018 2:36 am

did you check and measure the tubes and fit new top seals, the tubes size and shape alter when pre used. while your there the breather pipe off the rocker cover should be altered/diverted, this pipe usually comes out of the nearside middle of the rocker cover towards the rear of the engine, then dips into the rear main engine cold air intake pipe from the air filter to the turbo. i blanked off the old inlet in the air pipe then extended the original breather pipe towards the ground.
this breather contains the oil laden hot air from the engine internals while its running, it puts this crap air into the turbo pipe to burn off the oily air but if you have an older engine the valve seals can pass oil, this oily crap has to go through the turbo, intercooler and pipework where it condenses back to liquid oil this is the crap that fills up your intercooler and gets drawn into inlet manifold and with the heat of the engine carbons up everything, this oil is often seen leaking out of the inlet manifold elbow joint.
as long as your not dropping oil onto the road it will pass an mot with the crank/rocker breather open to atmosphere, just point it down wards into the undertray. you can fit an oil catch tank if your worried.
this was one of the best improvement i made to my bongo performance wise as it now breathed cooler denser cleaner air, so giving a better bang in the cylinders.
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Re: Loss of coolant

Post by Roy748 » Mon Jan 15, 2018 10:45 am

Thanks for the recommendation, fortunately my vehicle is a 2.0lt petrol version so a little simpler to work on.
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