Bongo Overheating

pyroman · Post by **pyroman** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 1:42 pm

Hi everyone,

Just had a new head gasket and hose fitted after losing coolent. Cylinder head was also tested for cracks etc, no problems there either. Work was done by mechanics who have worked on many Bongos and know how to bleed the system.

Drove 160 miles with no problems, temperature remained stable and coolant was at the correct level. However on my return journey I noticed the temperature reading high. Being stuck on the M1 middle lane amongst all the road works my only option was to turn the heating on and have the fan running at full speed. This had the desired effect and the temperature needle went down to the normal reading.

I am going to contact the garage on Monday and get them to look at it, but I thought I would ask you all incase you had similar problems. Could it be a dodgy thermostat? The water level is fine at the moment and I don't seem to be losing any coolant either.

Any advice will be most appreciated.

Kal

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 2:43 pm

Sounds like your thermostat is stuck closed?

Good luck

H

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 5:53 pm

Don't really go with that Harry. If stat stuck it would have gone into meltdown. Is the bottom hose hot or cool after a good run? Answer that and we can progress.

pyroman · Post by **pyroman** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:51 pm

Hi folks,

Parden my ignorance, but by bottom hose do you mean the hose that comes out of the bottom of the radiator?

Kal

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 9:43 pm

Yes. As you look at the front of your Bongo it is under the right hand side/bottom of radiator. It should not get Hot under normal conditions. Just warm at the most.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sat Sep 08, 2007 10:57 pm

I bow to your superior knowledge Hayden...I'd misread to post....certainly having got as far as the centre lane of the motorway the system will have fully warmed up normally...unless of course it was the M25 in the rush hour.

Stumped for now but will follow this post with interest.

H

pyroman · Post by **pyroman** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:07 pm

Hi Haydn,

I will check this and get back to you.

By the way I am going to take the car back to the garage tomorrow after I have rang them and confirmed the symptoms with them.

I will let you know what happens.....

pyroman · Post by **pyroman** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:23 pm

Hi folks,

Thanks for all your help and suggestions.

It seems Billy Bongo needed burping and thats all, he is fine now and temperature is down to normal.

Mechanic had another Bongo in with blown head gasket and it took him three hours to bleed that one!

Kal

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:34 pm

Well done, glad you are sorted. Wouldn't trust that first garage though, Could have cost you dear. Fit a alarm, you know it makes sense.

pyroman · Post by **pyroman** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 12:39 pm

You are right, I have followed the threads on the coolant alarm, and I thought I would not bother as mine ran fine. However I now think it is a great idea and I will get one.

Thanks again for the help and advice.

Kal

Raff · Post by **Raff** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:21 pm

Don't see how an alarm would have helped you here as you've stated that the coolant level was fine

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:52 pm

agreed !!but "what if"
If the bubble of trapped air had worked it's way up to the header tank the level would then have dropped and alarm would have gone off.

Raff · Post by **Raff** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:58 pm

haydn callow wrote:agreed !!but "what if"
If the bubble of trapped air had worked it's way up to the header tank the level would then have dropped and alarm would have gone off.

Point taken

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 6:45 pm

Glad its sorted pyroman

A low coolant alarm for me too i think, i'm getting fed up with swerving out of the way of traffic cos my eyes were glued to the temp gauge

Daveblueozzie has just fitted one, and after taking a trip with him, the reasurrance more than makes up for the initial purchase price (which is considerably lower than the cost of a new head)

Yip... that's me convinced

prb007 · Post by **prb007** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:27 pm

Just cooked my Bongo - again (third time in 12 mths!).
Getting fed up now - van too unreliable.
t/stat, first, then head & gasket, now top hose pinprick.
Shouldn't have to drive everywhere with one eye on the gauge.
Thinking of VW T4 and some peace of mind, plus 30+ mpg!