Newbie with a problem!

[HARLEYBONGO]

Evening all.

Seems a common problem so I apologise in advance if I am repeating a previous post!

Just taken on a Mazda Bongo. Replaced cylinder head, replaced coolant temp sensor however; I am failing to get a temp reading on the dash gauge whilst driving. Works when the vehicle has been idling for a good 20mins or so.

Any ideas would be greatly received.

Gazza

[mikeWalsall]

Thermostat ..??

[HARLEYBONGO]

Any way of testing the stat at all??

[winchman]

Any way of testing the stat at all??

I would just swap it for a new one, they can be tested buy placing in a pan of hot water and heating and recording the temp it opens at

[Northern Bongolow]

you can squeeze quickly the bottom hose from the rad to the stat housing, then listen for the jiggle pin in the stat clicking, no clicking, no stat in.

[HARLEYBONGO]

Many Thanks Guys for the information. I may well just replace it as a precaution!

Will the cooling system then require re-bleeding as a result?

[Northern Bongolow]

yes.

[HARLEYBONGO]

Oooh Sh@t!!! Hahahaha.

Well I need too put some anti-freeze in the system anyway so a good opportunity to kill two birds with one stone!

Is there any easy way of bleeding the system?

[Bob]

May be worth replacing the water pump while you're at it.

[ThisIsTheSea]

No easy way really. There are two methods I have used - both are a pain in the rear - one rather less so.

There are vids on youtube for the see-saw method. Personally, I didn't get on with this.

The last time I did mine, I put a bucket in the drivers side footwell, looped the bleed hose through the bottom of the steering wheel and into the bucket, then filled the system, started Bongo and kept topping up until the thermostat had opened and there was no more air coming out. Worked well for me.

Your choice.

[HARLEYBONGO]

Nice one! Thanks for that.

I have just been out to check the sender unit on top near the injectors - the single connector on the sender unit was very weak and snapped off in my hand. I will also have to replace this I guess!! Are these machines genuine Mazda parts only or are OE spec parts acceptable?

Many Thanks

[Simon Jones]

Generally, when it comes to important things like cooling system components or suspension bits, is usually better value to buy genuine Mazda parts as they tend to outlast the pattern parts. Check out the club shop for these sort of things.

You mention in your original post that you replaced the coolant temp sensor. Is this the same one that has now broken?

[HARLEYBONGO]

The fan switch I think it was. The green coloured sensor that sits at the side of the cylinder head. Changed the dash gauge sensor on top of the head and still no reading when engine warms up. I guess its a new thermostat.

Anyone specialists in the North Wales area???

[Northern Bongolow]

im a few hours away, but will do it if you bring the parts and the bacon with nice soft brown bread.

[HARLEYBONGO]

You never know. I will see how I get on locally. Thanks for the offer - I will keep you posted!