Coolant and Radiator and Stat

[mikeonb4c]

You are making assumptions about the cooling system that are just not applicable to the bongo, but if that's how you believe it works, then I'll leave you to it

Thanks Kirsty.

I'm not sure of precisely how it works, so I wouldn't like to make assumptions freely about how things work (I know others are doing a lot of good work), but I'm happy to chance, based on my personal observation, being able to spot what the indications on the std. temp gauge are if the stat is healthy. I think a Mason/TM2 or similar and regular observation and deduction would be necessary in order to ascertain if the whole system (coolant, pump, rad, fan sensors as well as stat all working in combination) was behaving as it should.

[mikexgough]

But can anyone say.......exactly how a Bongo cooling system should behave...... any Japanese Mazda engineers here on the forum to confirm?....

And why don't imported Bongo's come into the UK without any gauge or cooling system modifications or any add on Temp gauges?...... They must have been good over there in Japan......

I have chewed that question over with several well known Forum members and they have no answer.....and on the Japanese club sites, owners fit Bling and camping bits n bobs..... but no other gauges other than Turbo boost..... are we too cautious or looking for issues that are not there?.....

[missfixit70]

Are the majority of the major problems caused by the mixing of the incompatible coolants when they enter the uk, causing sludging & acidic coolant? One thread of many - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 06#p379206

[mikexgough]

Are the majority of the major problems caused by the mixing of the incompatible coolants when they enter the uk, causing sludging & acidic coolant? One thread of many - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 06#p379206

I think so....... but I do like my gauge now it's un damped......

[mikeonb4c]

But can anyone say.......exactly how a Bongo cooling system should behave...... any Japanese Mazda engineers here on the forum to confirm?....

Well there's the theoretical, which I know people are working hard on, and the empirical, based on observed data. I personally would love to see what range of data we might get if - for example - lots of people fitted engine block temp sensors in the same place and started to record observed temps under a range of conditions. The reasoning there would be 'I don't care how my engine works as long as it seems to be behaving within normal parameters'.

[mikexgough]

But can anyone say.......exactly how a Bongo cooling system should behave...... any Japanese Mazda engineers here on the forum to confirm?....

. I personally would love to see what range of data we might get if - for example - lots of people fitted engine block temp sensors in the same place and started to record observed temps under a range of conditions.

But then....... as BDC has already said........ it's all dependent on many different variables..... So unless the Bongo's who volunteer to take part have the coolant/stats/oil changed/temp sensor fitted and tested etc. all at the same time before data is collected then any results could be disputed......
As I have already said.....

Why don't imported Bongo's come into the UK without any gauge or cooling system modifications or any add on Temp gauges?...... They must have been good over there in Japan......

..... are we being too cautious or looking for issues that are not there?.....

[missfixit70]

We know the issues are there, that's why the alarms were developed in response to the coolant associated problems.
You keep asking this question, is it because you know or suspect a different answer & you're just being enigmatic?

[mikexgough]

I don't wish to seem mysterious but I am surprised as to why the Japanese don't have any measures for the cooling system, is it that as (the Japanese are extremely sensitive to what others might think of them and are very cautious to do something new, different, or independent) that they leave well alone or do they feel all is well as it is......

They do have cooling system issues........ http://translate.google.com/translate?j ... ry_state0=

yet see fit not to monitor the system for some reason..........

When I find out the answer to my question and thinking I will enlighten the brethren here....... I am in touch with a Japanese chap(Bongo owner) who I am trying to tease the answers from.......

[missfixit70]

When I find out the answer to my question and thinking I will enlighten the brethren here....... I am in touch with a Japanese chap(Bongo owner) who I am trying to tease the answers from.......

Just the brethren?
Good luck on your quest, Grasshopper

[Rhod]

Hi DBO
Sounds as if flushing the system has done a good job Just a thought though - The Mason damping is definitely still working isn't it? (Assume it must be since you mention "just under 12 o'clock" rather than 11 o'clock. The reason that I mention it is that I have an intermittent fault on mine (neither Dave or myself have been able to trace the cause), where occasionally the gauge reverts to normal damped Mazda mode of operation when switched on. Malfunction is accompanied by a whine from the unit on mine which usually alerts me, but I don't always notice it. Unfortunately changing my stat & a new rad last year made no significant difference to the needle sitting at 1 o'clock Full flush at the next coolant change I think.
Rhod

Checked the coolant this morning ,still OK, no need top up.
Took the bongo for a bit of a run to make sure all is OK, heaters working, temp gauge just under the 12 o'clock position, (like i said in earlier post ,lowest Ive seen it since fitting Mason alarm).
Just need to do the front brakes and then I'm ready for the bongo meets.

[daveblueozzie]

Hi DBO
Sounds as if flushing the system has done a good job Just a thought though - The Mason damping is definitely still working isn't it? (Assume it must be since you mention "just under 12 o'clock" rather than 11 o'clock. The reason that I mention it is that I have an intermittent fault on mine (neither Dave or myself have been able to trace the cause), where occasionally the gauge reverts to normal damped Mazda mode of operation when switched on. Malfunction is accompanied by a whine from the unit on mine which usually alerts me, but I don't always notice it. Unfortunately changing my stat & a new rad last year made no significant difference to the needle sitting at 1 o'clock Full flush at the next coolant change I think.
Rhod

Ive not given the bongo too much of a run yet, no hard driving, gonna be this weekend before i can give it a bit of a thrashing will give the info when i have driven it to find out if all is ok.

[daveblueozzie]

Gave the beast a bit of a thrashing tonight ,
Had a nice 120 mile round trip to Mr Munkeys, didn't spare the horses.
Going to Chris's house there are a few steepish hills and the bongo temp gauge moved to about the 1 o'clock position or just slightly higher, but didn't get any higher than that, the last time i was there the mason alarm went off for a short spell as it went up the hills with the gauge going nearly to the red line, nothing this time, ran like a dream.
Coming back mostly down hill the temp gauge dropped to just under the 12 position doing a perfect 69.99 mph.

[missfixit70]

Excellent , sounds like it's running a bit cooler & happier then

[mikexgough]

bongo temp gauge moved to about the 1 o'clock position or just slightly higher, but didn't get any higher than that, the last time i was there the mason alarm went off for a short spell Coming back mostly down hill the temp gauge dropped to just under the 12 position doing a perfect 69.99 mph.

Sounds just as Mine runs there, young David....... Mind you I wouldn't have known if I didn't have a Mason fitted

[bigdaddycain]

Gave the beast a bit of a thrashing tonight ,
Had a nice 120 mile round trip to Mr Munkeys, didn't spare the horses.
Going to Chris's house there are a few steepish hills and the bongo temp gauge moved to about the 1 o'clock position or just slightly higher, but didn't get any higher than that, the last time i was there the mason alarm went off for a short spell as it went up the hills with the gauge going nearly to the red line, nothing this time, ran like a dream.
Coming back mostly down hill the temp gauge dropped to just under the 12 position doing a perfect 69.99 mph.

Nice one David! She must be bled up nicley then... Good old Mr Mason...I wouldn't be without one.