Guess what ? yep it's another overheating question !

Plum · Post by **Plum** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:15 pm

My bongo overheated today for the first time, I had driven 2 miles when the temp gauge zoomed up to H and it sounded like a kettle boiling underneath.
I wacked the heating upto to 32 and pulled over. Rescue man came and checked it over. He found absolutely nothing wrong with it, he had the engine on for 30 mins after topping it up and nothing went wrong. No overheating, no obvious leaks, nadda not a bean wrong.
He had the heating on blowing full blast as he said that cleared the system of extra air ???
Now, having read through varying threads I get the impression I need the rad etc. flushed as soon as possible, is that right ? and if that is so , don't suppose any one knows of a garage in worthing west sussex that will be able to do it. I am away from home unfortunately or I'd of taken it to AVA leisure but I think that might be to far to drive it without someone looking first.
Or maybe I could flush it myself ???? and the coolant tank was topped up with just plain water so which coolant do I need to be adding and how much please ?

Many Thanks
Plum

Post by **westonwarrior** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:28 pm

If its been checked and nothing found your best bet would be to wait, check the water level in the morning and try again and keep checking regularly.
Chances are it is not bled properly so that needs doing, you can do it using the fact sheet

dont worry about just putting water in for now it won't hurt

There are stories on here about bongos overheating and once filled having no further problems but if it hppens again get it sorted quick.

RobnKathryn · Post by **RobnKathryn** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:31 pm

Are you confident that the coolant was full before it overheated? I'd definitely drain and flush the whole system, then refill and bleed very carefully.
The overheating could have been caused by a long list of things, but could have been lack of coolant caused by a dodgy hose connection or a pin prick in a hose, or possibly a faulty water pump......thats what mine was. After it overheated the 1st time, I refilled and bled the system and it was fine for 300 miles or so, then it would overheat again, and I'd bleed and refill it again....the system was just pressurising gradually.I did this too many times and had a bad overheat and cracked the cylinder head, so I'd be careful to try to find the cause of the problem hopefully before serious costs are incurred.

I wouldn't bother with anti-freeze until you are sure the problem has been diagnosed correctly and cured because it's expensive and you may end up draining it again. Make sure you put some in before freezing weather though!

Plum · Post by **Plum** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:33 pm

Thank you, that's reassuring.
I can't remember the password to get in the members area, well I thought I could but it doesn't seem to like my spelling. Can someone pm it to me please, I'd like to flush the system before I drive home, 2 hours on the side of the room with 3 boys aged 7 and under is not fun.

Bizarre they overheat and then never do it again.

Plum

Plum · Post by **Plum** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:39 pm

Noooooooooo

I hadn't checked it since I owned the bongo, about 3 months now .......................
I have checked the oil though !

Plum

RobnKathryn wrote:Are you confident that the coolant was full before it overheated? I'd definitely drain and flush the whole system, then refill and bleed very carefully.

Post by **westonwarrior** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:39 pm

I think they do it once and then the level is checked a bit more often.

only those that had the problem would know

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:44 pm

Running with the heating on full won't make any difference on the Bongo system. There's something in the factsheet about that too but it's rubbish. The Bongo (and most modern vehicles) heating system is always circulating - it's just the air that blows over the matrix which is regulated for hot or cold.
Older cars had an actual heater control valve which would stop the coolant flow to the heater matrix - they had to have the heater on to purge any air in the system.

Also worth checking the pressure cap is ok - have it tested at a garage or fit a new one if in doubt.

Plum · Post by **Plum** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 11:11 pm

dandywarhol wrote:Also worth checking the pressure cap is ok - have it tested at a garage or fit a new one if in doubt.

That's the cap on top of the coolant bottle ?

Plum

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:20 am

Yep.....

Plum · Post by **Plum** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:26 am

dandywarhol wrote:Yep.....

A beer fuddled brain making me confuse caps .....

ta
Plum

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:04 am

You could fit a coolant loss alarm.

Plum · Post by **Plum** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:37 pm

I think a coolant loss alarm is next on my shopping list. Overnight it has dripped out water, it's coming though the belly tank right in the middle.
I didn't risk driving it today, got rescue home, just as well because when the rescue man started it a HUGE cloud of white smoke poured out the exhaust.
It's off to AVA tomorrow for closer examination, fingers crossed it's nothing to drastic, damn thing is only out of warranty by 3 weeks ..................

Thanks for all your help
Plum

flippa · Post by **flippa** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:12 pm

hope you get it sorted plum

i went through the same overheating woes ......its running fine now after a new thermostat ....a new water pump and a new set of hoses ...whether the hoses had any leaks or not mine are at least 11 years old and were well well due a change.....i do not need a coolant loss alarm as the bongo has enough ....BLEEPS of its own ....my bongo had a leak on the under cover too which was traced to the water pump....get it sorted and start enjoying your bongo again .....good luck

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:37 pm

I agree flippa money better spent replacing old hoses etc

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:00 pm

Please....wots a belly tank

The missus recons its a description of me

Yours curiously

H