loss of coolant and level dropping slowly

[debbie]

Hi
Having had my bongo for 20 mths and having no problems I now have my coolant level dropping.
the pipes connected to it are all secure but havign very little knowledge about radiators I am not sure where or what to do next to see where the problem may be.
Knowing the importance of this system working well don't want to end up with some serious engine problem. The temperature guage hasn't altered on the dash but am checking the level every few days.
Please guide me step by step what to do to try and ascertain where the problem lies?
Thanks

[mikeonb4c]

Unless you are good at Bongo DIY I'd get it over to Wheelquick in Wigan and ask them to fit a low coolant alarm at the same time as finding out and fixing what has caused the leak. A slow leak can be tricky to find but if anyone can find it they will. In the meantime, the low coolant alarm is your insurance against serious loss. Oh and carry come 50/50 coolant/antifreeze mix with you so you can top up anywhere if need be. Good luck - keep us posted on what happens

[francophile1947]

First thing is to send a PM to Haydn Callow and get a Low Coolant Alarm and some of the leak detecting fluid. Slow leaks can be difficult to find and the fluid will show up under an Ultra Violet light. Otherwise, it's a case of crawling around and seeing if you can see any traces of a leak. Pinhole leaks can sometimes be detected by seeing a fine spray when the engine is hot - theu often stop when it's cold.

[missfixit70]

If you've got the standard temperature gauge, it won't move until it's too late, it's been dumbed down so it doesn't scare people by moving . Get a Mason alarm fitted which resensitises it & provides a settable temp alarm, easy to fit, while you're at it, it may be an idea to fit a coolant loss alarm if you haven't already. Haydn's got some uv leak detector dye at cost price too, bung it in the coolant & if you've got a weep that's hard to spot the dye will show up under a UV light.
Be worth getting a gas sniffer test done on the header tank to eliminate the head gasket as a possible , pop it down to your MOT place & ask them if they can check it with the exhaust gas analyser.

[missfixit70]

I don't believe it, beaten by Mike & John

[francophile1947]

I don't believe beaten by Mike & John

I feel like having a

[debbie]

thanks
how do you check the radiator and what am i looking for when i take the cap off?

[francophile1947]

Don't take the radiator cap off - you'll lose your coolant.

[debbie]

By the way it is driving fine. i have had a look at the engine this morning and the oil levels are normal and it is turning over fine.

have had a haead gastket go on anther car and it wouldn't drive or move! so feeling a little positive!

[debbie]

so can you not check the radiator at all? orshould it just be by a prof at the garage?

it is just that i was reading some threads on how to determine if there is gunge in the radiator and it mentioned taking cap off and wiping around the rim to check colour? have I misunderstood this?

[debbie]

having read further about the type of coolant i want to ask what is the manufacturer's advice with the type of antifreeze it recommends for the bongo?
I have used commoa ethlylene glycol is this ok ?
Obviously didn't know what was used prior to me buying mine!

What have you useed and has it been ok?
thanks

[missfixit70]

If you take the cap off the rad, all the coolant from the header will fall out, it won't tell you anything useful regarding coolant disappearing anyway. There are 17 hoses in the system ( i know i've just replaced em all - bruises & bloody knuckles to prove it ) it could be one of these has a pinprick or weep at a joint, could be a metal pipe corroded, water pump, which is quite hard to spot if it's leaking, radiator, heater matrix, head gasket, etc, the list goes on.
If you lift both seats & bonnet & check all the hoses etc thoroughly, wipe it off then do the damp finger test, but it may only show up under pressure, so check for any staining or distended hoses. Get underneath too check around the rear heater & all the pipework you can't see from above.
There is no quick answer on this one, process of ellimination.

[missfixit70]

having read further about the type of coolant i want to ask what is the manufacturer's advice with the type of antifreeze it recommends for the bongo?
I have used commoa ethlylene glycol is this ok ?
Obviously didn't know what was used prior to me buying mine!

What have you useed and has it been ok?
thanks

Without knowing what's in there, it's difficult to say, even getting the same colour doesn't really mean anything, only way to be sure is to drop it all flush it refill & bleed so you know what's in there.
Saying that as long as the Jap coolant was flushed out when it was imported, you should be ok in the short term with a universal, as you'll have to drain it when you find the problem anyway.
Don't know about the Comma one, but if it says it can be mixed with any other coolant it should be ok.

[debbie]

i've read haydn callows thread re this and he talks about getting the right antifreeze to match the sort of radiator that is in the bongo!
I phoned him but unavailable to ask re chemical strips to check akalinity of what i have put in.
When I bought it and had the bongo checked there was not sign of antifreeze!
A local garage put some blue in ( obvoiuslt didnt;'ask which sort as didn't know the importance when new to bongoing!)and we didnt' return there so have now put in comma's but there is clearly a leak and i will have to take it to my garage I think as can only do so much myself.
thanks

[MountainGoat]

As previously advised get your bongo over to Wheelquick in Wigan, they are the best around when it comes to bongos and their prices are very reasonable so you won't be ripped off. They have been looking after my bongo for the past two years and I live in Scotland. Never heard of them charging for uneccessary work so you will only be charged for what needs done. Advice on looking after your bongo comes free!

Tony