cooling system overhall

[harpo42]

I plan to give the cooling system on mango a general overhall, sometime over the next couple of weeks once I have all the things that I need. I already have a set of lovely silicon hoses courtesy of flippa.

Do you think I ought to replace the water pump? I have no reason to suspect that there is a problem with it, but mango is 12 years old. What about antifreeze? mango is never used through the winter and is garaged so antifreeze will be no use for low temp protection. Is it still worth putting it in tho?

Any comments on these and the general overhall of the cooling system would be appreciated.

[francophile1947]

I wouldn't replace the water pump, but I'd definitely put in antifreeze - it doesn't just stop water freezing, it also acts as a corrosion inhibitor and is essential in a cooling sytem.

[Peg leg Pete]

I agree Franco I would check the thermostat and the rad and expansion caps too

[aitch]

antifreeze is a must have for the reasons given above but if the waterpump is alright leave it (don't fix what ain't bust)

[harpo42]

Finally got around to fitting new hoses this afternoon Unfortunatly started raining so got to finish off tomorrow

Wanted to take out rad to give a good flush. Is it ok st disconnect the two hoses on the bottom for the auto oil cooler?

Thanks

[lizard]

Finally got around to fitting new hoses this afternoon Unfortunatly started raining so got to finish off tomorrow

Wanted to take out rad to give a good flush. Is it ok st disconnect the two hoses on the bottom for the auto oil cooler?

Thanks

I don't want to be a prophet of doom, but on buying a bongo, (from a dealer) I had it serviced, found a leak and fitted flippa hoses. Apparently, this caused the water pump (65.000, miles paid by the warranty) to give up the ghost. Was this excess pressure, bad luck, sods' law, I don't know, but It wasn't leaking before.

Hope the rad is ok.

[harpo42]

Well got it all back together and bled. Refilled with pure water (used for window cleaning) as this is pretty much distilled. Very nervous about bleeding ect but followed the advice in fact sheets and all seems to work. The temp gage is at 11 o clock the bottom hose got nice and hot and the heaters front and rear are pumping out hot air. Yet to take it for a good road test but hope to do that later.

I notice that the level has dropped considerably overnight (from high to low on the expansion tank) hope this is not a sign of problems.

The hoses that I removed and the cooling system in general seems to be in very good shape for 12 years old. There was no sludge in the rad all the hoses seemed ok and the coolant that was drained out look as good as the day it was put in.

Only thing... there are still quite a few other hoses such as the ones that go to the heaters which are exposed to the elements and are not inclused in the silicon kit. Just got to wait for flippa to start to produce these hoses.

[bigdaddycain]

The overnight level drop in coolant level is perfectly normal, and to be expected.

I'd mix in anti-freeze sooner rather than later, as the anti-freeze has anti corrosion properties in it...Very important to stop the water galleries in the cylinder head oxidising...

[harpo42]

The overnight level drop in coolant level is perfectly normal, and to be expected.

I'd mix in anti-freeze sooner rather than later, as the anti-freeze has anti corrosion properties in it...Very important to stop the water galleries in the cylinder head oxidising...

Thanks plan to do that later today afer am sure no leaks. Will drain off some coolant from bleed hose and add the required amount of antifreeze into the header tank and then take for good run. Do you thin this will be OK.

On another point the plastic tie that holds the bleed pipe to the inner sill underthe passengers seat is actually reuseable. It wasnt till I cut it off and looked at it that I realised this. Might be good to add this to the fact sheet.

[Steve L]

Thanks plan to do that later today afer am sure no leaks. Will drain off some coolant from bleed hose and add the required amount of antifreeze into the header tank and then take for good run. Do you thin this will be OK.

If it was my Bongo I would have to drain it down again, pre mix 50/50 of antifreeze and de ionised water and then re fill and re bleed. Bearing in mind the antifreeze has got to reach a fair way from the header tank. Ship and ha' poth o' tar and all that.

[missfixit70]

That's how I did mine Harpo, added the antifreeze the next day, make sure you do it without the engine running or it's running out of the bleed pipe before you've got it all in , probably be worth giving it another bleed?
Did you fit all 14 hoses from Flippa?
Good point about the cable tie on the bleed hose - I think a few people have done that

[harpo42]

Did you fit all 14 hoses from Flippa?

No I didnt realise he did all 14. I only replaced 6. The four large radiator, the radiator to expansion tank and the engine to the rear heater. must have another look at his site to see what else is available.

[missfixit70]

I think there're still a couple that he hasn't done yet, I think because he hasn't got hold of the originals of those as yet to make the moulds from, but I think they are smaller diameter ones that may be able to be done with a couple of lengths of the right diameter hose. I haven't had a look yet to see which ones aren't covered.

[mayk19]

Did you fit all 14 hoses from Flippa?

14, I've only got 9 in the set I bought.....mmm, have to fit them and see whats left over..

[bigdaddycain]

The overnight level drop in coolant level is perfectly normal, and to be expected.

I'd mix in anti-freeze sooner rather than later, as the anti-freeze has anti corrosion properties in it...Very important to stop the water galleries in the cylinder head oxidising...

Thanks plan to do that later today afer am sure no leaks. Will drain off some coolant from bleed hose and add the required amount of antifreeze into the header tank and then take for good run. Do you thin this will be OK.

If you crack open the bleed hose, i'd have neat coolant at hand to replenish the clear water with the coolant simultaneously...It may be easier with a helper, re-bleeding shouldn't be required if the level in the expansion tank doesn't drop below the minimum mark. (if you are happy that the system is now fully bled of course)

I'd be happy with adding 5 litres of neat coolant harpo,the anti-freeze will mix with the water as it circulates around the system, in an ideal world, it'd be better to pre-mix the whole lot prior to adding to the tank.

Remember, the 50/50 coolant/water ratio is what is suggested for the original (cack) coolant that is used in japan,in the uk a 30/70 or 40/60 ratio of coolant to water respectively will be more than adequate.

I used straight tap water when changing my own coolant, i'd give the de-ionised water a try next time,though i have had no problems with using tap water in the past.

I'm aware of the "furring" scenario if tap water is used.

I wonder how many ford rangers in the uk have de-ionised water in the cooling system though...?