The inevitable losing a small amount of water

[New Forest Terrier]

After seven years of reliability the inevitable water leak. I have barely used the Bongo this year. Three weeks outside UK. Two weeks with only a few miles.

On Wednesday, running late I drove to the bus stop. Low coolant alarm went off on a bend and then shut up. Freezing morning. Left Bongo parked for six hours and checked the level cold when I got back. It was level with the LCA screw. Started and alarm went off. Stopped as soon as the coolant warmed. I have a TM2 temperature read out. Temperature seemed absolutely normal. When I got home after about four minutes I left it to cool and then topped up to the full level mark where it usually sits. No further coolant loss overnight.

Pouring down today, Not weather to go out and play Bongos. Plus the plastic bonnet stay had cracked in the cold and the bonnet had to be wedged up. Thanks Ian for such quick supply of the replacement bit. Took it three miles up the road tonight. Water level looked OK, but it was too dark and wet to really see even with a torch. When I get to Sainsbury's I checked in the light. Water level over the full line but not as much as I would expect. Bongo running perfectly, no noises, temperature fine and changed to LPG as usual. Worrying bit, a slight smell of hot metal when I got out. Only noticed from outside. It came back fine but I noticed the slight hot whiff again on return.

Waiting for it to cool down to check water level, but still chucking it down, so I reckon it will be tomorrow morning. I suspect water is leaking when the engine is running. Does this point to anything obvious? No water on floor or sign of a leak. I am wondering about water pump. Bongo is N reg V6 with LPG conversion. Almost all original. No major parts replaced, but appears to have had new hoses in Japan as they were pristine when I bought it.

Would like to get of idea of what could be the problem as I normally take it to Discount Trucks 35 miles away. There is a nearer garage in walking distance I think I can trust to bleed it but I would rather take it to an expert

[helen&tony]

Hi Mary
Always use a specialist garage. I guess it's most likely a hose problem, but I'd certainly go for a coolant change if it's not been done for a while, and a change of water-pump / thermostat...and get the whole system pressure-checked whilst there, as it might be the metal piping or rad.. The V6 doesn't tend to have the same troubles as the diesel, as you know, so it's a matter of how much it's losing per journey...if it's only a small amount, it could be safe....your call, really!.There are lots of small private tow-companies in the yellow pages / internet, and look for one with a spectacle -lift...they seem to be a bit safe!...certainly cheaper than going for the rescue services.
Good Luck
Cheers
Helen

[Dodgey]

Mine had a slow leak that I couldn't find. Same as you . tm2. No obvious problems . my local garage pressure tested the system and found a leaking pipe joint that was hidden by the under tray. Half an hour labour and a perfectly normal garage without any special "bongo rosettes" . . just pick a modern clean professional garage, not a grease den, and when you tell them bongos need thorough bleeding if the seemingly ignore you then perhaps its time to look elsewhere.

Chances are you have a minor leak somewhere or perhaps failing water pump seals. Nothing major.

Proves the worth of low coolant alarms

[mikeonb4c]

Mine had a slow leak that I couldn't find. Same as you . tm2. No obvious problems . my local garage pressure tested the system and found a leaking pipe joint that was hidden by the under tray. Half an hour labour and a perfectly normal garage without any special "bongo rosettes" . . just pick a modern clean professional garage, not a grease den, and when you tell them bongos need thorough bleeding if the seemingly ignore you then perhaps its time to look elsewhere.

Chances are you have a minor leak somewhere or perhaps failing water pump seals. Nothing major.

Proves the worth of low coolant alarms

absolutely. Coolant pressure test it. On my N reg Bongo, radiator and corroded metal pipe around rear heater (on underside of car about half way down drivers side) were the causes. Good luck, keep us posted.

[haydn callow]

Telling a 'normal' garage to throughly bleed after working on it is only Good if they know how to do it in the first place. They could bleed it the conventional way (via rad or ex tank) all day and it would still be full of air.....give them written instructions and point them towards the You tube videos.

[Gasy]

Keep an eye on the level for a while
Before you panick
Might just be the cold weather

[Simon Jones]

One possible problem is a leaky radiator where the alloy matrix is crimped to the plastic end caps. This was the original rad on my previous Bongo. Photo is taken under the van facing forward looking at the bottom rad by the front crossmember.



I think I would just keep an eye on it and try to see where the leak is coming from although you need a nice dry day when the underside of the van isn't damp.