Top Hose

blobber · Post by **blobber** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:44 pm

Driving along today i noticed a smell of hot water, noticed the tempeature guage was rising at an alarming speed. I pulled over and stopped in a cloud of steam!. After it had cooled i noticed a split in the top hose on the bottom s- bend.
The question is this. After i have replaced the hose, how do i best top up without getting air in the system?

Cheers Alan

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:54 pm

You already have air in the system. Replace the hose and properly bleed the whole system by the book. Coolant loss alarm may have forwarned you.
How many bongos have been reported in the last month with coolant problems ? We know a lot of them are caused by old hoses but I really don't see how peeps can say fitting a alarm is a waste of time and money.
Preventitive maintainance is all well and good but how many of us are good at it ??

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 9:49 pm

Phew blobber, good thing you noticed it! It all does tend to support the case for the coolant loss kit.

Good luck fixing it - let me know if you need a hand.

Mike

blobber · Post by **blobber** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:06 pm

Thanks for the offer Mike, hows the back??. Should be ok swapping the hose, its just bleeding the system i'm not sure about. Last car i worked on was a mk2 cortina, things have changed since then!

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:55 pm

Blobber

There has been lots of posts about bleeding the system recently.
It really is quite easy.
Try the search tool or ask Pegleg Pete

I had a burst hose (bleed hose) go in a similar fashion a few months back.

The short version of bleeding to get you going again.

1.
Wait till engine cools down.

2. Undo expansion tank top.

3. Fill to top with coolant (for preference) or clean water is nowt else is available.

4. Replace cap

5. Remove bleed hose end and hold up with end about the height of the expansion tank.

6. Start engine

7. Slowly lower end of bleed pipe until you get water or bubbles coming out.

8. Seal end of bleed pipe.

9 Switch off engine.

10 repeat proceedure until all you get is coolant or water out of bleedpipe.

This has worked for me on several occasions.

Nurse your vehicle home and then repeat with care making sure to top up your radiator before you first top up your expansion tank.

good luck

H

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 10:57 pm

Hi blobber.

Back improving. PM me if you get stuck but H. instructions above ought to get you through. Know how you feel though, last car I did before the Bongo was a 1958 MG ZB Magnette - and that was 30yrs ago!

blobber · Post by **blobber** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:41 pm

Thanks Harry, doesnt seem as bad as i first thought. Will be doing it on saturday if the hose turns up!

Cheers
Alan

not Bongoing to a go go

(yet)

Bonza · Post by **Bonza** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:48 am

Can I recommend the Bongo Coolant low water detector kit.

Developed from an already successful Australian system exclusively for the Bongo/ Freda and thoroughly tested. Full fitting instructions from the Club also.

Peace of mind at a very reasonable cost.

Dealer inquiries welcomed also. Please email Haydn for dealer supply info and costs.

[email protected]

Bonza

blobber · Post by **blobber** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:05 am

Can anyone recommend an Anti-freeze/coolant, or will most be o.k.

cheers Alan

Still not Bongoing to a go go

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 9:34 am

Have a look and see if you can identify the colour...red or green...whatever it is don't mix the colours. Otherwise I don't think it makes a lot of difference which 'make' you use....they probably all come from the same manufacturer anyway.

If filling from scratch make sure you flush the system fully with fresh water before putting in coolant.

cheers

H