radiator advice pls

[Oggie]

Hi

My partner just arrived home from work in the bongo.

She noticed some green liquid (coolent) dripping onto the floor. I took a look and noted a trail of the same green liquid originating from the top left hand corner of the radiator - the point where some king of plastic fitting with a greasy sponge in front meets the metal of the radiator. Then I did a foolish thing (thinking she'd only made a 5 minute journey - the moral is perhaps ask first) - I removed the filler cap from the header tank - YUK a gushing of hot green liquid... Anyway no scalds or such like so that's OK. Having allowed it to cool the level is now just below minimum.

We had been planning a trip to the dales the weekend - I presume that's now cancelled.

What advive can people offer, should I top up the coolent and drive? Should I use rad weld or similar and enjoy a weekend away? Should I ring the AA and get towed to the local garage? Should I start worrying about mega cost repairs?...

In all other respects the vehicle seems fine, engine turning OK, no gunk in the oil, no loss of power, heaters working fine...

I'm not much of techie but would appreciate suggestions, advice etc...

Thanks

[haydn callow]

'Fraid it sounds like a new radiator is required. Make sure whoever fits it knows how to bleed a Bongo. This is VERY important and loads of garages think they know how but don't.

[The Great Pretender]

Don't use a rad weld product as they can reduce heat transfer.

Do as Haydn says bleeding the system incorrectly can wreck your motor.

[brorabongo]

Seems to me that a few folk are suffering from this recently.

I have just changed my rad. Heres two threads with the same problem:-

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... &sk=t&sd=a

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=20067

Also seems to me that there are a few new Oggies around on the forum now. Soon to take over the number Daves?

Welcome Oggie

[Oggie]

Thanks guys for the advice.

My local garage is about a mile and a half away. Is it worth topping up with water and driving or should I call out the breakdown people... What do fyou reckon??

[brorabongo]

I would say it depends how much coolant you are losing. We managed for a short while, just topping up with a coolant mix, as we were only losing a small amount. We have the Coolant alarm fitted, so we would of known when the coolant getting too low.

[Peg leg Pete]

I too would not use radweld I would have thought you should be able to top up and make the mile and a half journey. Any advice needed with Bleeding the system, I live in Keighley

[The Great Pretender]

Thanks guys for the advice.

My local garage is about a mile and a half away. Is it worth topping up with water and driving or should I call out the breakdown people... What do fyou reckon??

It is possible for the head to be full of air and the pump unable to circulate coolant even when the tank is at the high level.
Before you start the Bongo again make shure you are conversant with the bleeding needed to purge air. Your choice.