MOT Failure - Removing Radiator

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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idetika
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MOT Failure - Removing Radiator

Post by idetika » Sat Feb 15, 2014 12:38 pm

Bongo has just failed it's MOT (first time in seven years :( )
The cross member at the front is severely corroded and needs welding. To do this the garage have informed me that they will remove the radiator and bleed it.
This is making me nervous, the garage are good and I have told them about the importance of bleeding a bongo, although I am not at all mechanically minded and could not really explain to the garage why bongos are 'special'!

What do they need to know exactly?

He talked about vacuum bleeding (I think that is what he said!).

Anyone point me in the right direction for fact sheets/videos to give to the mechanic?
Thanks!
Bob
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Re: MOT Failure - Removing Radiator

Post by Bob » Sat Feb 15, 2014 1:02 pm

Here you go:

https://www.google.co.uk/#q=youtube+bleeding+bongo

Edit: Dave at Worcester Mobile Mechanics, near Shrub Hill Station, knows Bongos.
Take a torch, toilet roll, and tea bags.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hcF9JSxkUSE
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Northern Bongolow
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Re: MOT Failure - Removing Radiator

Post by Northern Bongolow » Sat Feb 15, 2014 8:14 pm

the vac bleeding method is not 100%, ive known of a few that its gone well, but also a few that its not gone to well. the problem is how do you know which way yours has gone-----------until it gets problems.

replacing the front cross member is not a bad job to do, but like you say the coolant rad and aircon rad has to come out.

just thinking though---this shouldnt be covered in the mot, its miles from the suspension mounts etc.
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idetika
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Re: MOT Failure - Removing Radiator

Post by idetika » Sat Feb 15, 2014 8:55 pm

Thanks for the replies.
I'd read about the vac method on the fact sheet and presumed it would be an ok method to use but now I'm feeling a bit worried 8-[
I'll talk it through with the garage and give them the fact sheet/video links.
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