Leaky Rad

[dave_aber]

After I'd driven for about 3 hours today, I parked the van. About 5 mins later, I came back out and discovered a wee puddle just in front of the driver's front wheel. Popped the lid, and there are signs of coolant leaking along the top of the rad - a big weep - and some spraying up on the inside of the bonnet, and onto the battery. LCA hadn't gone off, and when hot the level looked OK, just a shade low.

I reckon I've had a lucky escape. The only problem is the van is now 3 hours from home. I can leave it there no problem, but I'm after any recommendation for a bongo-friendly garage in Edinburgh.

Anyone had a good experience with coolant work in Edinburgh?

Cheers
Dave.

[francophile1947]

Try this thread in the Scotland section http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 24&t=52255 - a couple mentioned there.

[dunslair]

Dave

Try GBL motors Duff street lane, Edinburgh.

[Diplomat]

A reasonable temporary repair can be effected by cleaning the join thoroughly with a meths soaked toothbrush and then applying epoxy mix.

If this is done while the rad is still cooling, some of the liquid epoxy should get sucked into the join before setting thus making it more difficult to dislodge than if it is merely smeared on externally.

This repair has lasted me over a year so far while I work out how to find a place I can trust to do a rad change and general cooling system overhaul properly anywhere in S.E. England and find the time and money to do it!


Frank

[nicstrike]

A reasonable temporary repair can be effected by cleaning the join thoroughly with a meths soaked toothbrush and then applying epoxy mix.

If this is done while the rad is still cooling, some of the liquid epoxy should get sucked into the join before setting thus making it more difficult to dislodge than if it is merely smeared on externally.

This repair has lasted me over a year so far while I work out how to find a place I can trust to do a rad change and general cooling system overhaul properly anywhere in S.E. England and find the time and money to do it!


Frank

back in my banger racing days i rebuilt a rad that had been ripped out of the car in a double roll , with gripfill. i used that rad for 2 years.

[bigdaddycain]

Sorry to hear your rad has gone west Dave...

It just goes to show that no matter how many alarms and gizmo's you may or may not have fitted to the bongo... Nothing really beats keeping an eye on things coolant related... In your case, you spotted the puddle on the floor Well spotted!

[dave_aber]

Minor update - Once I'd seen the level in the header in the (very) cold light of the morning, it had dropped from the usual full line to just a shade under the MIN. So, having a real dislike of using garages unless there really is no option, and feeling a bit brave, and following some advice PM'd to me, I topped the tank up to about 1/2 way between Max and really full (thought I'd better leave some room for expansion!) and headed off on a gentle trundle home.

I turned the mason down a bit to about 3.5 to make sure I was being easy on the temp / pressure where I could, and stuck both heaters on fully hot to attempt to draw away as much heat as possible, and thus run the stat fairly closed to take as much pressure / strain off the main rad.

Stopped a good few times on the 4-hour trip home, and the level eventually dropped to about the seam line half-way down the tank. Some minor evidence of coolant escaping around the top of the rad, more so on the driver's side. However, the temp stayed sensible and I made it home, where the van will now stay whilst I go offshore for a week and do some shopping, to be sorted out when I return. I'll post the results.

Thanks for all the advice so far on here and by PM.

Cheers
Dave

[mikexgough]

Sorry to hear your rad has gone west Dave...

It just goes to show that no matter how many alarms and gizmo's you may or may not have fitted to the bongo... Nothing really beats keeping an eye on things coolant related... In your case, you spotted the puddle on the floor Well spotted!

exactly..... your nose and eyes are much more sensitive ..... although the Mason or a modified to swing "normally" temp gauge is plenty good enough on a good system.....

[mikexgough]

Minor update - Once I'd seen the level in the header in the (very) cold light of the morning, it had dropped from the usual full line to just a shade under the MIN. So, having a real dislike of using garages unless there really is no option, and feeling a bit brave, and following some advice PM'd to me, I topped the tank up to about 1/2 way between Max and really full (thought I'd better leave some room for expansion!) and headed off on a gentle trundle home.

I turned the mason down a bit to about 3.5 to make sure I was being easy on the temp / pressure where I could, and stuck both heaters on fully hot to attempt to draw away as much heat as possible, and thus run the stat fairly closed to take as much pressure / strain off the main rad.

Stopped a good few times on the 4-hour trip home, and the level eventually dropped to about the seam line half-way down the tank. Some minor evidence of coolant escaping around the top of the rad, more so on the driver's side. However, the temp stayed sensible and I made it home, where the van will now stay whilst I go offshore for a week and do some shopping, to be sorted out when I return. I'll post the results.

Thanks for all the advice so far on here and by PM.

Cheers
Dave

Glad it all worked out Dave.... post some pics on google + when you have done the job.....

[haydn callow]

But...if Dave hadn't spotted the puddle under the Bongo (or if it had been a wet day) the LCA would have gone off as soon as the level dropped below the screw in the tank.....long before the tank was empty and the engine started to overheat.....

[dave_aber]

exactly..... your nose and eyes are much more sensitive ..... although the Mason or a modified to swing "normally" temp gauge is plenty good enough on a good system.....

As it happens, on the way down I thought i caught a whiff of coolant at one point, and the Mason modified gauge 'seemed' further to the right than usual at one point - followed by 10 miles of "Where does the temp needle normally sit?" - The alarm point was still set at about 4.5 which was the point it just triggered when crossing the Alps. It's now a bit lower. The slight smell and the question over the needle position may have subconsciously made me suspicious, so when I saw a wee puddle (only 2" - 3" across) I was on the case.

On the + side, I've just checked it cold, and the level's still pretty much on the seam in the tank - still above MAX - so it didn't use much coming home gently.

And, for the first time ever, I managed 105 miles on the 1st 1/4 of the fuel gauge! Usually I hit the first line at 65 if it's town driving, 80 on a run or 90-95 if I'm trying to be frugal. Got to save up for a new rad / stat / etc somehow!

[dave_aber]

But...if Dave hadn't spotted the puddle under the Bongo (or if it had been a wet day) the LCA would have gone off as soon as the level dropped below the screw in the tank.....long before the tank was empty and the engine started to overheat.....

If it had been raining, I wouldn't have seen the puddle, and in this case that was me parked up for the day. Once it was cold, the LCA was singing like a canary naturally. If I'd driven on merrily pushing fluid out who knows - but it wasn't coming out all that quickly this time.

Possibly, I have a lazy stat (the mason'd gauge has always been a bit far to the right for my liking - based on no evidence or comparison whatsoever!). If it was particularly lazy yesterday and let the temp / pressure get a bit over the top then it looks like the rad top was the weak point.

Anyone investigated fitting a coolant pressure sensor?

Modified rad cap with one in?

Just thinking out loud.

[haydn callow]

Anyone investigated fitting a coolant pressure sensor

Ady...Northern Bongalow....has developed and fitted one which works a treat

[bigdaddycain]

exactly..... your nose and eyes are much more sensitive ..... although the Mason or a modified to swing "normally" temp gauge is plenty good enough on a good system.....

As it happens, on the way down I thought i caught a whiff of coolant at one point, and the Mason modified gauge 'seemed' further to the right than usual at one point - followed by 10 miles of "Where does the temp needle normally sit?" - The alarm point was still set at about 4.5 which was the point it just triggered when crossing the Alps. It's now a bit lower. The slight smell and the question over the needle position may have subconsciously made me suspicious, so when I saw a wee puddle (only 2" - 3" across) I was on the case.

On the + side, I've just checked it cold, and the level's still pretty much on the seam in the tank - still above MAX - so it didn't use much coming home gently.

And, for the first time ever, I managed 105 miles on the 1st 1/4 of the fuel gauge! Usually I hit the first line at 65 if it's town driving, 80 on a run or 90-95 if I'm trying to be frugal. Got to save up for a new rad / stat / etc somehow!

The mason is a cracking bit of kit! I like how it gives you "at a glance" info of potential problems (once you have got used to the gauge characteristics of your own vehicle).

[bigdaddycain]

Sorry to hear your rad has gone west Dave...

It just goes to show that no matter how many alarms and gizmo's you may or may not have fitted to the bongo... Nothing really beats keeping an eye on things coolant related... In your case, you spotted the puddle on the floor Well spotted!

exactly..... your nose and eyes are much more sensitive ..... although the Mason or a modified to swing "normally" temp gauge is plenty good enough on a good system.....

I'd agree with that Mike.

I started the bongo up t'other week for the first time in many months (winter hibernation) I left her running for a few hours when my nose kicked in and smelt hot coolant! The mason started blipping, i switched on my manual fan activation switch (patent pending ) And my good old mason shut up and the temp gauge dropped down... There was no leak, the bongo had just got a little hot under the collar running for so long with no airflow....(phew)