Coolant loss, sorry.

[dandywarhol]

Have it pressure tested - any leak will soon show up.

[sheepy]

Have it pressure tested - any leak will soon show up.

Yes, this is the answer, is this a common test to have done? do most garages do this or is it a specialist job?

[bigdaddycain]

Sorry sheepy......It's an unusual one though isn't it? Although not the bongo, i had a similar problem with my car for months,except, had to top up maybe a cupfull of coolant per day? In the end i spotted the odd whisp off steam in the car headlights, only if the wind was blowing from behind....3 garages couldn't find the leak,just by chance i felt around a hard to reach pipe, and prompltly got scalded!

It turned out that a very fine steam was escaping from one of the hoses,and was quickly vaporising further as it was close to the turbo's heatshield....

[sheepy]

Well thanks for all of your replies, my main worry was that the head gasket may be leaking but I have had this problem for a few months and it hasn't got any worse. I will post the results of the garage visit on the weekend.

Thanks.

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome sheepy. I'd say DON'T use radweld. If it works it will only obscuring the underlying problem plus I'm deeply distrustful about how it might clog up the thin pipes in the radiator, and the Bongo doesnt like furred up pipes!

Fitting a low coolant warning would seem a very good idea before a journey like that?

Good luck - keep us posted on the cuase if/when diagnosed by Allans

[Malcolm Whittington]

Have a close look at sealing face in header tank where cap seal locates - I found a score about 20 to 30 thou deep on mine which allowed coolant loss when engine hot. Did a trip of about 60 ks on a very hot day and when we stopped coolant was literally running out the overflow. Cured it by reaming the face of the header tank and it stopped that leak. Level still went down tho' and more frequently - turned out to be leaking at a hose joint under the drivers seat behind the fan (which I didn't realise was there!). It was only seeping when the engine was running and I couldn't see it as it dripped onto the engine cover/tray - soon as we touched the spring clip it started to drip drip drip! Doubled up with Jubilee clip now and touch wood, seems to have cured Bongos thirst for water (now onto it's thirst for Diesel!). Best of luck mate!

[sheepy]

Just a quick update, had the bongo serviced at allans (very nice chap), he found no problems of any note (good news) but couldnt find the cause of the coolant loss (not such good news).

It's such a small amount that I am loosing, it looks like I will have to wait and see if the problem develops. At least there was no sign that the water loss was due to a head problem.

[mikeonb4c]

Just a quick update, had the bongo serviced at allans (very nice chap), he found no problems of any note (good news) but couldnt find the cause of the coolant loss (not such good news).

It's such a small amount that I am loosing, it looks like I will have to wait and see if the problem develops. At least there was no sign that the water loss was due to a head problem.

I'd fit a low coolant alarm and always carry a can of 50/50 coolant mix with me, then forget about it until it makes itself more obvious. Very good news overall and Allans are premier league players on Bongo servicing