Cooling System Flush....Problems

[nosfunk]

1/4 inch drive with long bar on underneath van i found was best to get themostat off made it a piece of wee wee

[jackasti]

As an update to the problems...
The system was flushed through a number of times, in all deirections and through every tube and hole. Thermostat and radiator replaced and flushed again. Filled with water for a test run.

Cylinder head temps now 71-75 with no kick in of fans
Back tomorrow for a final flush through and a fill up with de-ionised water and carplan Premium G12 + antifreeze.

Despite the continual flushing the resultant drained fluid is still rusty brown.

I am hoping that the recent hot cylinder head (102 Deg C) has not intrinsically damaged it but I suppose the next purchase must be a cylinder head temp monitor. Is there such a thing

[Northern Bongolow]

haydn carries a good range of products to measure the head/coolant temps,
give haydn callow a pm.

[jackasti]

Thanks for that. I have just ordered a TM-2.

While I have access to your expertise.....could you advise me as to the complete capacity of the cooling system for a 2.2 TD GL5 as I have conflicting information.

[francophile1947]

Thanks for that. I have just ordered a TM-2.

While I have access to your expertise.....could you advise me as to the complete capacity of the cooling system for a 2.2 TD GL5 as I have conflicting information.

13 litres in a 2.5 diesel.

[haydn callow]

You ordered a i-alert......on it's way in the morning......spoken on phone....
The guy in Thiland who supplies the i-alerts seems to have disapeared.

[jackasti]

On this continuing theme of coolant stuff.....Do all Bongo expansion header tanks become opaque? I assume this is due to age or staining from various coolant solutions, or possibly evidence of previous overheating.

Can they be cleaned? Is there a source of new ones or is it a breakers yard forrage.
I have a low coolant alarm fitted and a standby DIY dipping stick but it would be nice to see the coolant level without risking a scold.

[haydn callow]

They all seem to stain up over time and if they have overheated it is wirse.....You can clean any "scale" from the inside but the plastic stains right through and you cannot clean that.
New ones are available from Mazda...about £120

[jackasti]

£ 120 or the risk of a scold.....?Looks like its back to the dip stick. I will have the first aid kit on stand-by

[haydn callow]

There is no need to dip it as long as the coolant alarm is doing it's thing each time you turn the key.....

[maxi_77]

I would always recomend using something like radflush when flushing out an engine, and if it is bad as this one seems to be a second application can be worthwhile

[haydn callow]

I spent a day flushing out a Bongo with fresh water.....all pipes disconnected and jetted etc...
It was all nice and flowing clean.......a day later after a short run the coolant was dirty.......introduced a bottle of chemical flush treatment and ran it for a couple of days then repeated the fresh water flush.......unbelivable amount of "thick" sludge came out and then after a while was flowing clean....refilled with coolant and 6 months later it is as fresh/clean as the day it went in.

[jackasti]

Hi Haydn
Temp monitoring thingy arrived and now fitted and working. many thanks for the prompt dispatch and the extra screws for the low coolant alarm.

[jackasti]

Dear Advisors, Counsellors, Mentors and Technogods

Update.

Following a 3rd chemical flush, new radiator and thermostat plus a new bottom hose....I think we have cracked it.

In order to flush comprehensively everyhose was disconnected and flushed through in each direction untill running clear. 50/50 coolant made with distilled water was used and still showed "uncontaminated" after a 40 minute bleed session.

I am convinced that there are many Bongos out there, functioning quite well, with a cooling system full of rusty debris that is not removed following a simple cold water flush through even with a chemical flushing agent.
Having scanned the forums many report contaminated coolant upon bleeding despite having carried out a normal flush.

Following my experience may I recommend tat if you want clear uncontaminated coolant...flush with chemical agents twice and disconnect and flush everything 2 or three times. Its amazing how much cr-p is in the radiator.

I am also convinced that my Bongo would have plodded on problem free for years but my enthusiastic (paranoic) flushing moved cr-p into the cylinder head that did not dislodge during a casual flush.....hence hot heat and cooling fans kicking in immediately following a flush.

May I take this opportunity to recommend Steve at Outback Autos, Great Massingham, Norfolk (01485 520007) as a top bloke and Bongo God.....just don`t mention the Colin Flushing incident!!!!