Another coolant problem, straight after service. Any advice?

part2 · Post by **part2** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 5:21 pm

After a few weeks saving I got the Bongo in for service and underseal. £525 for a fair bit of work.

Adrian in Bury did the work, he was great and said he thought I'd got a good one as the heating was working great, nice and hot.

That must have been the kiss of death.

On the drive back, about 20 miles, all was fine but when I pulled into the drive and switched the engine off a load of steam came up from the bonnet. I thought it might have been all the snow slipping down into the engine and it was wet outide so no chance to see puddles of lost water anyway.

Just been out to the tip and B&Q, 2miles maybe, heater is still running great but I noticed a pool under the front when I came out of the shop. On the drive home I noticed a bit of steam from the bonnet as I was waiting at the lights.

Water level is very low and there's a bit of water around the top of the radiator although it doesn't seem to be the source of the problem.

To add to things, I thought I would take a look around under the seats and noticed on the drivers side underneath where the centre console thing is but a bit lower down, looks very oily. Is this the cyclinder head? Is it leaking?

I am rubbish with mechanics by the way.This has got me panicking, I have bad luck with vehicles whenever I spend more than £300.

Erm...help

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 5:33 pm

Don't worry about the oil. That is common and just gunge out of the EGR seal.
The overheating is a problem and you should get it back to the garage who serviced it and get it sorted . Sounds as though they have got air into the cooling system. Needs bleeding for a start. Din't let the Temp gauge move above11 O'clock. Watch the coolant level in your header and don't ever let it drop beloe the top outlet pipe or air will get in. You could of course click on the link below and see what is available to help.

flippa · Post by **flippa** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:34 pm

can you tell us what was exactly done in the service .....was your coolant changed .....if nothing was apparent before, seems too convenient you overheated after this "service"...you mention nothing of your temp gauge reading or your expansion tank bubbling like a boiling kettle.....are you sure your radiator cap is fitted correctly........whether the garage will put it right or not for what you have already paid, i wouldnt be happy driving it back 20 miles in its current state......good luck

Ralph · Post by **Ralph** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:38 pm

The radiators sometimes leak from the top were the plastic
header tank is clamped to the radiator core.
What ever you do don't let the water level drop too low
if the heaters stop working it's a sure sign of trouble.

part2 · Post by **part2** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 6:48 pm

It was a full service so I expect the coolant would have been changed.

Temp guage reading was halfway up maybe 2 fifths, expansion tank is near enough empty now, never noticed bubbling before but then again while I was out I didn't even know where it was to look. The radiator cap was fitted fine.

Adrian has a good rep on here and seems a good bloke. I'm on the phone first thing tomorrow to see about getting things sorted.

Will be buying a coolant alarm very soon.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:04 pm

If your expansion tank is just about empty then you have air in the system (via the in/out pipes. I would not drive it again till you have refilled and bled the system. Do not risk driving to a GARAGE.

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 7:23 pm

Part 2 buy a coolant alarm if you so desire, but it will only indicate coolant loss, not the source of the problem

check all hoses and thermostat and that your rad and expansion tank caps are o.k.

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:02 pm

Just a thought, but I would not expect coolant to be changed at a full service unless you specifically asked for it..... if this is the case then it may be just one of those things and nothing whatso ever to do with the garage.
I would suggest this matter is cleared up first to avoid unwarranted bad publicity for someone.
I would be a liitle concerned that despite noticing steam a few weeks ago you have only just investigated it.
Coolant alarms aside, my advice to anyone on noticing a coolant related problem, be it steam or dripping etc is to check the coolant level immediately and not drive any further until satisfied that it is not leaking.
If it is, and you carry on driving you could end up doing a thousand pounds worth of damage that may otherwise only take a new pipe to fix.
Hope its not too drastic part2 - will keep my fingers crossed for you.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:09 pm

Does he say it produced steam weeks ago ?? I thought it was on the way home from the service.

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:34 pm

Ooh

Thats me misreading it - saving for a few weeks!!!! sorry.

part2 · Post by **part2** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 8:55 pm

haydn callow wrote:If your expansion tank is just about empty then you have air in the system (via the in/out pipes. I would not drive it again till you have refilled and bled the system. Do not risk driving to a GARAGE.

Thanks

How do I go about refilling and bleeding?

maxheadroom · Post by **maxheadroom** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:00 pm

part2 where are you based?

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:02 pm

Just about to ask the same question....you must be in the North West...and if so there is more than likeley an experienced member of this forum who'd be happy to give your bongo the once over re bleeding etc.

part2 · Post by **part2** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 9:13 pm

I'm in Timperley. There's a few forum members round here.

Mike isn't far but I read a comment that suggests it's not his favourite job

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:27 pm

Part2 - PM me if I can help in any way. Can't promise miracles but I can have look and I have drained and refilled my system so (probably more by luck than judgement) have at least managed to do it!