Coolant/Rad change?

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Bongo bus

Coolant/Rad change?

Post by Bongo bus » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:35 pm

Hi.
I will be shortly changing the rad & coolant....its all o.k, but just to be on the safe side I'd rather change it & be less worried!
Regarding the coolant bleeding...is it difficult?....has anybody ever tried having a high header tank supply of coolant filling the expansion bottle...using gravity to push through any airlocks?? I was thinking may be adapting a 5ltr bottle filled with coolant & sitting it on the roof (or hooked off the underside of the bonnet?) with piping to the expansion bottle..constantly refilling it under gravity pressure?
I don't know if it would work....but I guess its worth a try?

Spencer
Ford Freda
Veg_Ian

Re: Coolant/Rad change?

Post by Veg_Ian » Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:59 pm

Think about it. Where is the air going to come out? Doing it your way you are driving the air into pockets in the head etc. going from the high point of the system to the low. Better to fill from the engine side via the breather tube and drive the air out of the expansion tank as per the standard method.
Bongo bus

Re: Coolant/Rad change?

Post by Bongo bus » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:57 am

Veg_Ian wrote:Think about it. Where is the air going to come out? Doing it your way you are driving the air into pockets in the head etc. going from the high point of the system to the low. Better to fill from the engine side via the breather tube and drive the air out of the expansion tank as per the standard method.
Thank you for all the advice. It seems quite a daunting task with the bongo..unless its me being paranoid! I'm going to call Haydn for some advice later this week.Thanks again.
Spencer
:?
Ford Freda
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missfixit70
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Re: Coolant/Rad change?

Post by missfixit70 » Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:11 pm

As you long as you take your time, make sure it's flushed out thoroughly, make sure the stat opens, both heaters work ( so you know theres no airlock) & keep bleeding until you get no more air coming out. It's not that difficult really :wink:
You can't polish a turd - but you can roll it in glitter.
Bongo bus

Re: Coolant/Rad change?

Post by Bongo bus » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:53 pm

missfixit70 wrote:As you long as you take your time, make sure it's flushed out thoroughly, make sure the stat opens, both heaters work ( so you know theres no airlock) & keep bleeding until you get no more air coming out. It's not that difficult really :wink:
Hi Kirtsy,
Thank you for the advice.
I think I will check all the hoses,change the rad, stat & pump all in one hit....and then bleed it. It is running fine at the moment...although a little battered!! We just want to be sure we can do all that is possible to make our bongo (freda) a pleasant friendship. Bongo's are new to us...but I must say we are quite impressed so far. After buying the car in sheffield (some 85miles away from home), and the last owner producing an horrific bill for a gearbox rebuild 6months earlier at £2500!!!...we got off to a bad start on the way home after 10miles the gearbox went bang!!! The guy (to be fair) refunded 1/2 our money & we then got a secondhand box & had it fitted....so we haven't had a good start really with it....but hopefully we'll get on fine now?
Speak to you all soon.
Spencer :)
PS- I'm attempting the timing belt & tensioner tomorrow!

Ford Freda
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missfixit70
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Re: Coolant/Rad change?

Post by missfixit70 » Thu Jan 22, 2009 7:55 pm

If you can do the timing belt, I'm sure you'll manage bleeding it fine :wink:
You can't polish a turd - but you can roll it in glitter.
Bongo bus

Re: Coolant/Rad change?

Post by Bongo bus » Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:25 pm

missfixit70 wrote:If you can do the timing belt, I'm sure you'll manage bleeding it fine :wink:
News update....
I've changed the timing belt & tensioner+spring! Luckily the garage at work offered to help & use their ramp...which made it alot easier. With 2 of us on the job it went quite smooth. Being cheeky whilst it was in the air I also changed the rear drop links & anti-rollbar bushes....boy were they rusty & tight!! I snapped one stud & had to drill it out & put a bolt in...but its all done now.

Spencer :)

Ford Freda
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mikeonb4c
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Re: Coolant/Rad change?

Post by mikeonb4c » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:52 pm

Bongo bus wrote:
missfixit70 wrote:If you can do the timing belt, I'm sure you'll manage bleeding it fine :wink:
News update....
I've changed the timing belt & tensioner+spring! Luckily the garage at work offered to help & use their ramp...which made it alot easier. With 2 of us on the job it went quite smooth. Being cheeky whilst it was in the air I also changed the rear drop links & anti-rollbar bushes....boy were they rusty & tight!! I snapped one stud & had to drill it out & put a bolt in...but its all done now.

Spencer :)

Ford Freda

Goodo. Did you ever get my PM about the brand new radiator being offered on ebay? Someone won it for £110 in the end.
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