Radiator replacement?

johndoc · Post by **johndoc** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 9:14 am

Hi there fellow bongo owners, only had mine a short time and have noticed that the temperature gauge goes up past the half way stage when the the engine is under load, eg, going up a hill or prolonged 70mph. The radiator does not get warm around the core, though the top and bottom hoses are hot. I flushed out the system, there was no change. Then changed the thermostat again no change. So off came the radiator and I flushed it through with a hot pressure washer. No sludge came out, but I noticed that only a small part of the core was heating up. Put it back together and guess what...no change. I suspect the radiator is blocked with sludge and thought I would check this out with experienced bongo owners before I buy a new one. Any suggestions please? John

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 10:27 am

Hi

I recently had to replace my leaky radiator.

Got one for about ?125 off ebay...new with next day delivery

Garage couldn't fit me in for 10 days so I did the job myself in about 3 hours..no problems...just a screwdriver and a couple of 10mm spanners.

1. Remove air ducting above radiator (2 push clips)

2. Remove the fan assembly frame and tie it bavck loosly with a bit of string to keep it out of the way

You can now eisily reach down the back of the rad

3. Undo all the other bolts holdind the rad in place

4. Remove the air ducting under the radiator (5 bolts...4 under and one reached from above down gap behind rad.

5. Undo large bottom hose and push it up out of the way to minimise coolant loss from engine

6. Undo small hoses and block ends so as not to lose too much gearbox oil

7 remove rad cap and all other hoses

8. lift out rad and replace with new one not forgetting to transfer any rubber bits.

9 Reverse stages 7 to 1

10 Top up coolant and bleed engine via pipe under passenger seat with engine running

11 Check gearbox oil (under drivers seat with engine running and gears in 'park'

Hope I've got it right from memory....good luck

H

Ozric · Post by **Ozric** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 5:01 pm

Before I got a new rad I had the old one tested at a rad test place. They can also recore if required. The place I use is in stockton and has a 24 hour turn-a-round.
I'd have it looked at by the pro's it cost me ?0.

johndoc · Post by **johndoc** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:24 am

Thanks Guys, have ordered the radiator from ebay, it should be here tomorrow. Will post a report on how it goes.

johndoc · Post by **johndoc** » Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:03 pm

Hi Guys, big problems getting the radiator, first one send got lost, when it did arrive it was damaged. Seller picked it up and the second radiator was sent to the wrong address!! Anyway got it eventually and it has solved the problem. It is certainly something worth checking on the Bongo if the gauge fluctuates. Test the radiator for "cool" spots. Not always easy when it is in the van because of the access, but if you take it out and fill it with hot water, it will give you an idea if the core is blocked. There is a heat detector gun that some garages have and that could be easier than taking the radiator out.