Water Loss

Bongo Badness · Post by **Bongo Badness** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:45 pm

Just checked to coolant level in the old girl and found that she needed 2Litres of water.

The water was filled when we bought the bongo but the plastic tank has an orange residue on the sides of it.

This has created a tide mark which I thought was the water level, oh fool and after a little dipping found that the tank was empty.

We have done 8k since we got her in Diss.

Should I be worried?

The temp gauge always reads about 1/3 of the way through the scale once it has heated up.

It has not over heated on us and I have not noticed any steam or white smoke.

your comments would be appreciated.

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:47 pm

Ceck for leaks and make sure you fill up with correct coolant when leak(s) sorted, best bleed the system too

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:10 pm

Not being able to see the level in the expansion tank because of the brown residue is common in our Bongos. You could make up a dipstick to do the job or even better put your name down for the coolant loss alarm system which will be available very soon. This would have spotted the drop in level very quickly. However you did get away with it this time. I would top it up and monitor the level for a while. If it drops again start looking for the leak. It could be from anywhere.
Contact Ian if you want a alarm at the never to be repeated introductory price.

Bongo Badness · Post by **Bongo Badness** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:44 pm

sounds like a good idea this coolant level dropping thing. Shall go and find about it now.

Cheers.

By the way do you know where this residue comes from?

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:47 pm

Probably from old coolant/or too much water added to coolant, but check for leaks asap

Post by **westonwarrior** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:04 pm

I found from checking mine every day (some times 5 times a day) that squeezing the hose from the top left of the rad made the coolant in the expansion tank move a little which made the level easier to see.

So it can be checked even if hot but the pipe gets hot too so be carefull