Can someone put my mind at ease

[paulnlol]

Can someone put my mind at ease.I have no loss of coolant whatsoever,top and bottom hoses are at approx the same temperature but the van just smells HOT.Is there any cause for concern or am I just paranoid?

[francophile1947]

Bottom hose is normally only warm. It only gets hot when the thermostat opens, which is not very often in a Bongo. If your bottom hose is always hot, it would seem that you may be overheating for some reason.

[WISHIHADABONGO]

My top hose is always hot and my bottom one gets warm as well, I have uprated hoses and my van always smells hot and feels warm around my legs bin like that since I had the van, I have done coolant change and hoses change the fans work correctly as well. I have had a new head and head gasket as well and its still the same...the only thing is that my engine does run hotter as I am using 50% cooking oil... I have engine temp alarm and monitor and the reading is always within 5 degrees or so...

I think it just depends on the van....

[paulnlol]

Thanks guys,checked again and the top hose is hotter than the bottom hose.I do think its probably down paranoia,I'll keep an eye on it and post again if I think there are anymore problems.

[mikeonb4c]

I fitted a scavenger fan over-ride switch so I can have the fan on and flush hot air out of the engine bay when I want e.g. when stuck in a traffic jam on a hot day. See http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =scavenger for details. Seems to be working fine for me

[WISHIHADABONGO]

I fitted a scavenger fan over-ride switch so I can have the fan on and flush hot air out of the engine bay when I want e.g. when stuck in a traffic jam on a hot day. See http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =scavenger for details. Seems to be working fine for me

I did that on my Cosworth, would be useful on alot of cars

[Grahame at work]

I'm sorry francophile1947 but I disagree.

My thermostat works as intended all the time - runs between 85C and 92C normally but can reach fully open at 95C under the right circumstances. The bottom hose behind the radiator can feel cool because it gets the greatest cooling effect from the passing air but further back towards the engine it can reach over 70C on the outside when coming to rest with the engine running after a reasonable run.
With normal driving my top hose in the engine compartment is 50 - 65C and the return in the engine compartment is 30 - 55C. In slow traffic the differential can be lower than 10C.

my Mason modified temperature gauge usually indicates around 75% of scale or at the 1:30 position if you prefer.

I think my Bongo is no different to most others.

So paulnlol assuming your hoses are 'warm to hot' to touch then it would appear to be normal to me. (of course there is plenty of debate on this topic which usually generates plenty of heat itself )
I find the Bongo cab can be quite hot - nice in the winter but usually use the A/C when its very sunny and warm outside.

Regards Grahame

[paulnlol]

I like the fan idea.I was planning a bit of R&R this weekend but I think that plan has just gone out of window.Thanks again for your help everyone.

[francophile1947]

I'm sorry francophile1947 but I disagree.

My thermostat works as intended all the time - runs between 85C and 92C normally but can reach fully open at 95C under the right circumstances. The bottom hose behind the radiator can feel cool because it gets the greatest cooling effect from the passing air but further back towards the engine it can reach over 70C on the outside when coming to rest with the engine running after a reasonable run.
With normal driving my top hose in the engine compartment is 50 - 65C and the return in the engine compartment is 30 - 55C. In slow traffic the differential can be lower than 10C.

my Mason modified temperature gauge usually indicates around 75% of scale or at the 1:30 position if you prefer.

I think my Bongo is no different to most others.

So paulnlol assuming your hoses are 'warm to hot' to touch then it would appear to be normal to me. (of course there is plenty of debate on this topic which usually generates plenty of heat itself )
I find the Bongo cab can be quite hot - nice in the winter but usually use the A/C when its very sunny and warm outside.

Regards Grahame

You may well be right My comments were based on the fact that paulnlol said that both hoses felt the same and there has been much discussion on the forum about the bottom hose rarely getting hot.

[scanner]

Is it because your engine compartment sealing and insulation isn't 100%.

If the seal is leaking anywhere heat and smells will enter the cab - check the seal and that all the insulation is doing it's job properly.

[haydn callow]

The bottom does not get very hot because as G at W says it gets max cooling effect...however this is when moveing forward at some speed.
When I say "top hose HOT bottom hose WARM" this is whilst moving.
Top hose HOT bottom hose HOT is when stationary and during the bleeding process. This hose does GET HOT and MUST get HOT for the bleeding to be a success.