Quickie re cooling

Partly_dave · Post by **Partly_dave** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 1:34 pm

I'm in Germany with our Bongo which has been a star. However two of the three vehicles that started on our Summer road trip are now dead from overheating, a 1991 Toyota Hiace and a '67 VW splitty. In each case, its the worst case scenario, Hiace has a knackered head and the Splitty has seized up.

I've noticed a fair ammount of heat coming up from the centre console and around my driver's seat. Now I've only had the Bong 6 weeks and this is its first long trip in hot weather and me wearing shorts. So my point is I may not have noticed this before and if its a common Bongo thing then I'm happy. I am checking the obvious when she's cold and the coolant was flushed & changed by a dealer before the trip.

We're travelling 4 up with a full load of camping kit in the back.

With it being a new vehicle to me and my friend's having cooked their busses you can understand my caution.

Any comments re this "heat" coming up would be most welcome.

D

Dabs · Post by **Dabs** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 1:39 pm

Firstly are the front seats securely clipped down and nothing like the carpet has fouled into the closure leaving a gap.
Secondly heat will rise via the rear console area especially after being stopped for a bit after a journey.
Have the scavenger fan checked to ensure that it is operative as this does help to keep the engine area cooler.

Hope this helps Good Luck

Dabs

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 1:56 pm

To check if the scavenger fan is working....get the engine nice and hot...stop the van...turn off your aircon and other other fans...now turn on ignition to the point before you engage the starter motor. If the engine bay is hot and the scavenger fan is working you will hear it come on after about 10 to 20 seconds.

Good luck

H

Partly_dave · Post by **Partly_dave** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 1:57 pm

Seats are clipped down ok. Fan thought ok as I hear it kicking in when idling after after a run.

Thanks,

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:15 pm

There's no doubt that with the engine right underneath you, warmth gets into the cab. Is the insulating foam on the engine covers still all there and in good nick? Apart from that, and checking the scavenger fan is working, then I'd have thought that if your temp gauge is staying at 11.00, your coolant level remains steady, and the beast starts and runs fine, then you should be safe and there's not much else you can do. Try and avoid traffic jams and running at excessively high speeds maybe.

Many have said their handbrake gets warm.

Good luck

Mike

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:25 pm

I think you are fine

Partly_dave · Post by **Partly_dave** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 4:14 pm

Thanks for the comments. Given that my friends have done their bit to support the German motor industry over the last weekend, I'd started to notice this "heat" with Bong and thought I'd ask those in the know. I imagine that bit of extra warmth comes in handy during the winter.

D

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Aug 16, 2007 5:41 pm

I imagine that bit of extra warmth comes in handy during the winter.

I've been thinking about that myself. A good storage radiator for keeping off the cold at least part of the night. I wonder if you could take further advantage of it by increasing the thermal capacity down there e.g. water containers that get warmed up by the engine and then contribute to radiated heat later?

Partly_dave · Post by **Partly_dave** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:06 pm

Further to the above, Bong still rattling on nicely but gave me a worry the other morning when I discovered a lower coolant level that needed 1.2 litres to bring it up again. Couldn't find any leak at all, so put it down to an airlock when coolant was changed prior to the trip. Since topping it up its remained at the same leve despite some hot days and full loads.

D