Header tank empty after vehicle has been stored

[dobby]

Not a good day today, went to check on the bongo as it's been in storage since the autumn. Unfortunately, due to work on the house and awful weather I have not been to see it since before Christmas. Bongo looked fine, put the keys in the ignition and the coolant alarm sounded so I checked the header tank and it was empty .

Any theories on what's happened. It had a new head, hoses and radiator less than two years ago. It was due a full service and MOT in the spring.

I checked under the bongo and there was no sign of dried up coolant loss on the ground which is loose gravel so non conclusive.

First thoughts are that it's a gradual weep from somewhere. However we had -10 deg C over the cold period which I hope has not frozen decent anti-freeze (less than two years old).

It was too cold and damp to lift the seats and start investigating. I'll probably get the bongo to Ian Taylor via Greenflag.

Any thoughts on what may have happened?

[Northern Bongolow]

gutted for you mate .just the usual stuff really to check, waterpump rad, coreplugs but as you say the antifreeze was up to strength it sounds a bit strange, unless you have had a vermine visit.

[dobby]

Thanks Ady

I was thinking about getting the pump done this year as it was not replaced when the head was done and it's due a coolant flush.

I'm not sure what grade coolant Ian used on it in 2009 but I'm hoping it's not popped a core plug.

Must admit to being a bit cheesed off with it.

[Northern Bongolow]

are you ruling out the mouse attack they can and do make a bloody mess,i once stored a super, classic car interior for 2 years(doing the body and stuff) went back to it and they had eaten most of it. and they love rubber.

[dobby]

No mate, mouse attack is very possible . It's stored in the country and there's a farm nearby etc.

Wish I'd stored it outside the house now at least I'd seen it wet itself

Still on a positive note, there's no more rust on it and it's two months until Tackeroo....

[You've Been Bongod]

hope its not to difficult to find whats up m8t ...ian will sort it for you no doubt

[dobby]

Cheers Carl, probably the best way.

How's your luck mate?

[You've Been Bongod]

so so m8t bongo still needs a new home

[dobby]

Too damp and cold at the moment for buyers?

Is Ian busy, I'll ring him next week?

[dobby]

Bit of an update, bongo is at Ian Taylor's for investigations

[dandemann8]

Hi Graham, hope it's a simple fix
Passed the storage yard today and saw a white Bongo in there and I thought it was your's but if it's at Ian Taylors maybe not

[dobby]

Hi Mate

It was there until about 11.30 and then Greenflag took her on her way. Didn't see a grey ford focus lurking there did you as me and Julie had to hang around a bit.

Ian's new premises are good, full of bongos

I filled the header tank and it had not dropped any water 2 hours later so I'm hoping its not a nasty leak etc.

Ian's going to let in stand in the workshop for a bit and play spot the leak I think it's a slow weep via the water pump

[dreamwarrioruk]

ours has been stood for a month outside, not moved or started, (at least noone could steal it)
battery flat as a. Charged battery, started first turn, thought id do some checks. our header tank was also empty, no damp, no weeps i could see. even with the uv lamp over it all. Topped it up and its been fine. So im clueless as to what it is. If it was leaking i would have thought there would have been signs. even if it drained into the engine thought smoke on start up but nothing. no signs of anything in coolant or oil. Was pressure test last october and a couple of leaks found. all sorted since then.

[dobby]

ours has been stood for a month outside, not moved or started, (at least noone could steal it)
battery flat as a. Charged battery, started first turn, thought id do some checks. our header tank was also empty, no damp, no weeps i could see. even with the uv lamp over it all. Topped it up and its been fine. So im clueless as to what it is. If it was leaking i would have thought there would have been signs. even if it drained into the engine thought smoke on start up but nothing. no signs of anything in coolant or oil. Was pressure test last october and a couple of leaks found. all sorted since then.

I only put about 2 or 3 litres in, if it's slow leak from a pump etc then with all the cold damp weather I doubt if it could have been easily spotted. I'm going to have a new pump and full coolant change etc. It had all new hoses, rad and head in 2009 so fingers crossed.

[dreamwarrioruk]

i only had to put in maybe 1/4 of a litre so i might be ok then.
just thought it might have had some bearing on your issues, ie might be common if stoof a while.

i have a citroen dispatch that looses oil when stood but i find that on the floor after. Hoping the seal restorer hurrys up and stops it completely. nearly stopped now.