Alternative bleed method?

[Trouble at t'Mill]

Hi Manny.

It would be brilliant if you could try it out! The clear pipe is a great idea, but it would have to be fairly heat-resistant pipe - not go floppy near boiling point. You might even be able to see - by any bubbles or 'swirls' in the coolant - which direction the fluid is trying to move at any time; that would be interesting info to see what happens with different revs, and when the stat opens, etc.

Obviously, you'd need to keep an eye on the engine temp at all times, and I guess the extension pipe should be kept as low as possible - the highest point will be where it enters into the exp. tank.

Cool!

[lizard]

The factory method is a one person method lizard - granted it takes a wee bit of time to read/understand the procedure but it is pretty straightforward and foolproof IMO

I have only tried the see-saw method at the moment, I will have to have a read up about it

[Peg leg Pete]

see-saw method works fine

[Simon Jones]

Quick update: I've ditched the idea of having the pump linked to the low coolant alarm. Both types of pumps I've got seem to run fine without any water present, so can be left running continuously even once the coolant has been pumped into the expansion tank. I've tried the washer bottle with boiling water & left it running for over an hour with nothing melting or leaking. It pumps at about 3 litres/minute which is probably enough. Tony B has kindly sent be a much better pump which does about 20 litres/minute which I will try soon.

I will try first with just an extended bleed pipe back up to the expansion tank, because this will be the simplest option. If there's not enough pressure to get it up back up to the top, then I'll use the pump method.

[mikeonb4c]

Sounds v interesting Simon - I'll look forward to the next installment, and good luck

[Trouble at t'Mill]

This is every bit as exciting as waiting for the next series of 'Lost' to begin. (Only a slight exaggeration )


(Evangeline Lily... hmmmmm)

[mikeonb4c]

This is every bit as exciting as waiting for the next series of 'Lost' to begin. (Only a slight exaggeration )


(Evangeline Lily... hmmmmm)

That's about right. Too much dialogue and waiting gets boring, but I love it when the action gets going, like it sounds about to now Simon is moving into conducting the experiment. I'm interested again

[Simon Jones]

Here are my findings:

Extending the bleed pipe does not work as there is insufficient presure to push the coolant 'up hill' to the expansion tank.

The pumped method overcomes this & works fine. Unfortunately, I'm unable to get the photos off my phone as the bluetooth has packed up (will try some other means). The on / off valve works perfectly (no burned fingers ), although I will probably replace it with the original bung when I'm finished. The windscreen washer reservoir & pumps worked fine & seemed to keep up with the flow pretty well. I left it running on 'bypass' for several minutes to get rid of the initial air lock.

The mk2 version will use an uprated pump which with a higher litre/minute value. Not got round to fit the clear sight glass to monitor the bubbles, but a piece of clear plastic tubing will probably do the job.

I will be doing a more thorough bleed later in the week, but I just needed something to get vehicle driveable to get it off the ramps having just fitted new rad.

Will report back further findings soon.

[ronhud]

Hi Simon - I hope you can post the photos soon.
Ron

[mikeonb4c]

Well done SImon. Sounds like another useful bit of kit for Bongo owners is entering pre-production

[Simon Jones]

A few pics as promised.

On/off valve in bleed pipe:


Black pipe from bleed valve going into reservoir:


Blue pipe from pump going back up to expansion tank:


Quite a few modifications lined up for future including better pump, remote on/off switch, sight glass to view the bubbles & cap for the expansion tank with a fitting to take the pipe, rather than relying on it just staying in place. Also will make a hook so the reservoir & pumps can hang off the side of the open inspection cover (passenger seat lid thingie).

The van is slightly more in pieces than when the picture was taken. Now it has no wheels or exhaust, so I've got a lot to re-fit before Christmas