No. 1 manifold stud

[dom_e]

Glad to report that we had a mechanical, event free trip in the bongo. The bongo performed well, even up steep alpine ascents, but will now go in for a service. I'd love to give it a go myself, but fear time will not allow.

Thanks for all of the replies. I'll report the outcome.

[mulshy]

Glad to report that we had a mechanical, event free trip in the bongo.

Did you use some exhaust putty as a temporary repair?

[dom_e]

I didn't get a chance before we left in the end. I did get time to buy some metal adhesive putty and a socket set before setting off, but didn't want to risk tinkering when we were out there since it didn't seem to be getting any worse. I checked or signs of alternator and hose damage near the manifold and it seemed okay. I'll get it sorted now we're back though.

A good trip had. I'll see if I can post pics.

[dom_e]

The Bongo went in for repair yesterday and came back to us today.......with a problem caused by the garage

The garage I normally use mentioned to keep an eye on the coolant level since there was some lost from taking the turbo apart. Duly noted. As soon as I turned the ignition, the coolant alarm sounded and didn't stop; so I switched off, not having even left the forecourt and checked the level, which was overflowing

I put the cap pack on and tried again. The alarm sounded again, but gradually faded, so I drove off with my wife and kids (who'd dropped me of at the garage) following. After a short trip, there was nothing to note (except the noise which first prompted me to obtain the manifold diagnosis was still there).

After a short shopping trip, I undertook the longer drive home. When pulling onto a motorway up a slip road, the engine temperature shot up. I wasn't happy to stop with it peeing with rain and having my daughter in the back, so I eased right back to around 45mph and the temperature dropped back to around 12 o clock. Home was only around 2 miles away, so I limped it back slowly.

It's now sat on the drive until I can get it sorted and I'm hoping no head damage has occurred.

My best guess is an airlock caused by improper bleeding. Can anybody else suggest better?

I'm rather annoyed since it's an real effort to take the Bongo to a garage that's not in a convenient location. I'm now refreshing myself with the very useful Youtube bleed instructions, but feel that the garage should really sort this out at their own cost and my convenience.

[Northern Bongolow]

in the how too link posted earlier the coolant system is left intact. they obviously had a better way of doing the job ????.
now--- if they had been able to it it right the first time they would have, would you let them have another go.

[dom_e]

I'm inclined not to let them have another go. I've had a few reservations about their work in the past, but nothing serious and they're always friendly.

Since stopping, the header tank is now empty, so a full bleed is in order.

I'll be having words with the garage tomorrow.

[turbodave]

Hi, Hindsight is a fantastic thing, but you really should not have driven off when the alarm sounded...that is what it is there for. Dave

[rita]

I also think that this should have told you something was not 100% and maybe report it to the Garage/Mechanic


Quote.......not having even left the forecourt and checked the level, which was overflowing.

[dom_e]

I didn't think the level being too high would be an issue and presumed (obviously incorrectly) that it had just been topped up to ensure that if the coolant dropped a bit (as had been suggested it might), that the extra in the tank would account for it. I relied on the coolant alarm to tell my if the header tank dropped too much, which didn't sound after I drove away and after re-starting after the quick shopping trip. The alarm only sounded once it had cooled down and had been stood for a while after I noticed to temperature gauge had crept up.

If had been on my own, without the family and it hadn't been last thing on a Fri, I would have probably been more cautious and questioned the high header tank level. There a moral to this story for sure!

Anyway - the guy who carried out the work is back in on Tue, so I'll give him a chance to provide his story and help put things right.

[dom_e]

Update. I phoned the garage, who advised to top the coolant up, get it warm and see how it goes. I told them that I was sceptical, but they also offerered to do a bleed off required (difficulty being getting the bongo go the garage for them to do this). So, I topped it up via the header tank, turned the engine on and waited for the inevitable.... After much burping and bubbling into the header tank, I thought my luck was in, but waited for the stat to open, at which point out kicked off! Lots of coolant overflow, followed by sudden drop below the header tank hose. I kept an eye on the temp gauge and tested hot air from the fans.

It was all rather inevitable, but I thought I'd take the garages approach before dismissing. I'll now see if I can enlist the help of a friend to bleed properly. All of this costing my time and money. Not impressed.