'Low water' reading & screaching noise on starting

[Fionamac]

Hi, Just joined this forum and new to Bongo maintenance!
Please forgive my ignorance...can someone advise why the car makes a high-pitched (continuos) noise when engine is cold / it is started... noise goes after a few minutes... it is connected to the 'low water' red-light showing to right of steering wheel? What is this red 'water' light for (coolant level is OK)?
Might it be connected to lack of water for rear window wipers? Where do I fill with water for rear window??
Many thanks,
Fiona

[francophile1947]

Hi and welcome
High pitched screeching may well be the number one exhaust manifold stud broken - quite common on Bongos and sounds a lot worse than it is. Most garages should be able to fix it at a reasonable price If you put your location in your profile, we could probably recommend a local garage to carry out the work.
Are you sure the red light isn't the rear fog light switch?
Rear and front washers are both fed from the washer bottle under the bonnet. The rear washers fail first, if the water level is too low.

[mikeWalsall]

I assume you have a low coolant alarm fitted .. the red light and screeching is a warning to stop driving and check the coolant level .. loss of coolant can lead to very expensive engine repairs ....

[Fionamac]

Thanks so much Mike... unlike your pic my alarm just says 'low water' (not coolant) .. but I think that must be the problem... colant level is well above the 'low' marker... but I will top it up anyway and see if that stops the noise. Thanks also for diagram... very helpful!!

Thanks francophile1947.. yes I'm sure it isnt rear foglight Will see if putting more colant in resolves problem.

What a helpful forum... so glad i joined.
I will no doubt be back with more questions.

[mikeWalsall]

IF ... it's a diesel there are very good details of 'parts' locations here ...(although certain items are the same / location on the petrol versions as well)

http://mazdabongo.wikispaces.com/Parts

[Gasy]

If the screeching is Defoe connected to the low water alarm and you have enough water in there.
You probably need to clean the 2 screws in the water bottle , syphon the coolant out to just below bottom screw, remove screws and clean put screws back in , put same coolant water back in run engine and check screws for leaks.

[haydn callow]

If it,s a low coolant (low water) alarm.....you will see a screw in the front of the coolant expansion tank with a wire going to it......this screw will be half way between the LOW AND FULL lines.......this screw MUST be covered by. The coolant when all is cold........fill your coolant to the full line when cold.

[haydn callow]

[quote="Gasy"]If the screeching is Defoe connected to the low water alarm and you have enough water in there.
You probably need to clean the 2 screws in the water bottle , syphon the coolant out to just below bottom screw, remove screws and clean put screws back in , put same coolant water back in run engine and check screws for leaks.[/quote

No need to remove any coolant to do this........do it when cold....remove cap and then replace it ( to release any pressure) remove the screw, clean it and replace.....you will not lose any coolant

[Fionamac]

Thanks all
I need to use it for local visit this afternoon but will hav a look at screws & clean tomorrow (well, I never!)
It is a 2001 petrol (LPG converted in 2009)
Have just taken it over from ex & havent got a foggy about maintenance
Couldnt find any 'maintenance' manuals (when googled most stuff in Japanese)... any suggestions / helpful sites with diagrams youc an recommend?
Thanks again!

[Gasy]

If you only have 1 screw you have a top quality low level coolant alarm made by Haydn above,
Listen to his / the advice given on here and you will get sorted

[mikeWalsall]

The petrol doesn't have the same problem with the manifold bolt as the diesel .. so be 100% certain your coolant is up to the full mark ..

Interpreted manuals and handbooks are readily available from the Bongo Fury shop .. ebay .. Amazon etc:

Personally I would recommend you just getting the 'glove box' drivers handbook ..

[Diplomat]

If you only have 1 screw you have a top quality low level coolant alarm made by Haydn above,
Listen to his / the advice given on here and you will get sorted

Do you mean that the one I have from Haydn with two screws isn't a top quality one? !!!

It has never falsely triggered. It even wails slightly when the level is borderline!


Frank

[Gasy]

I didn't say anything about a 2 screw model
Being picky are we

[Diplomat]

Not at all!

I was just wondering which is the more top quality mode.

No offence meant!

I can't bring myself to break my resolve and use smileys, so sometimes my exclamation marks are not seen to denote humour!


Frank

[Gasy]

Yer we've said about not liking smileys
Being picky are we was said in Miranda hart style
Still not using smileys are we