Thermostat

[mitch]

The answer is probably obvious but,my temp gauge hasn't worked since I recently bought the Bongo.When the thermostat was checked it had been cut away from the seal/washer and just the seal /washer put back in!

Why please???

Thanks

[Simon Jones]

Unfortunately, it's usually done to mask an underlying problem with the cooling system such as overheating or inability to bleed it sucessfully.

[mitch]

Thanks.
Worst case scenario.What am I looking at having done??

Thanks

[Simon Jones]

Best case: stick new 'stat in, bleed it properly and it will all be fine. That's your starting point anyway.

Worst case: new head, head bolts, cambelt, gaskets, water pump, radiator. Very very worst case, cracked block, but I've only ever heard of one that failed.

You could probably run it as it is and it could be absolutely fine, but by preventing the engine from getting up to temperature correctly will increase wear and tear, and the fuel consumption will be higher than normal.

I noticed your post on the Bristol eBay seller thread. Did you get your Bongo from him by any chance?

[mikeonb4c]

Best case: stick new 'stat in, bleed it properly and it will all be fine. That's your starting point anyway.

Worst case: new head, head bolts, cambelt, gaskets, water pump, radiator. Very very worst case, cracked block, but I've only ever heard of one that failed.

You could probably run it as it is and it could be absolutely fine, but by preventing the engine from getting up to temperature correctly will increase wear and tear, and the fuel consumption will be higher than normal.

I noticed your post on the Bristol eBay seller thread. Did you get your Bongo from him by any chance?

Maybe a good chance engine ok as long as coolant galleries not clogged and if new radiators fitted? Adrian at Japandirect squeezes the hoses to test for crunching that would indicate a clogged system.

[mitch]

Thanks both.It appears fate looked kindly on me today.
The new stat makes the needle sit at a healthy 11 o clock as the old Bongo did.Coolant doesn't seem to run out so my fingers are crossed.
I do appreciate your advice

Thanks

[Bob]

I'm hoping it was bled after the new stat was fitted?

[mitch]

I am told so but you have me worried again

[Bob]

Was it done at a Bongo Friendly garage?

If not ask what method they used.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks both.It appears fate looked kindly on me today.
The new stat makes the needle sit at a healthy 11 o clock as the old Bongo did.Coolant doesn't seem to run out so my fingers are crossed.
I do appreciate your advice

Thanks

Good news Might be a good idea to fit an engine block temp sensor if there is any suspicion the old stat might have been removed due to periodic boiling over. If that was happening it would suggest a compromised cooling system, maybe due to crudded up radiator. Did you try the crunch test on large coolant hoses (e.g. top hose?)

P.s. I thought the answers given here were pretty fair:

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/inde ... 819AAQJCiI

The big unknown with an old Bongo is: was it's corrosion inhibiting antifreeze changed regularly. Failure to do this might explain a lot of the problems with the diesel engine which I think has a cast iron block. A new/efficient radiator will help greatly but it can't unblock blocked channels in the block caused by blockhead ownership. Any experts care to comment?