Alternative to bongo header tank??

langtoftnick · Post by **langtoftnick** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 8:35 am

Is there a more readily available alternative to the mazda bongo header tank? Want to replace mine as it is stained (yes I know they all are!) and has what looks like some stress fractures starting on the bottom which I think are weeping.

I have bought two second hand ones from ebay on the promise that they were from "working vehicles" and in "good condition". One was cracked, the other was so full of rusty sludge and crusted on gunk I wouldn't let it anywhere near my new radiator. It weighed 500g less once I'd flushed it out - cheaper to send back which was the good news.

A Tank is a Tank surely? If there's one approximately the right size and you can make bracketry to hold it in place, it doesn't have to be a £125 mazda original?????

Any ideas anyone?

Post by **g8dhe** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 10:03 am

Not seen anybody claim to have replaced it but worth reading the relevant section of the "great cooling discussion" here as to its function http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 08#p438708

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 11:22 am

The bongo tank has a lot of partitions inside.....these play a part in the degassing process.....I would not put a non standard one in there......not being able to see the coolant level dosnt matter if you have a low coolant alarm fitted.

windywatson · Post by **windywatson** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 1:37 pm

I have a 97 & 01 V6, neither have stained/discoloured headers. Is this problem of staining just restricted to diesels? If so why would there be a difference?
Plus what's this about degasing! surly its just a tank for hot water to expand into & a reservoir of coolant in case of loss.

Cheers

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 1:48 pm

windywatson wrote:I have a 97 & 01 V6, neither have stained/discoloured headers. Is this problem of staining just restricted to diesels? If so why would there be a difference?
Plus what's this about degasing! surly its just a tank for hot water to expand into & a reservoir of coolant in case of loss.

Cheers

Good question. Might it be that the V6 is all aluminium whereas the diesel has an iron/steel block? I wonder if there is a V6/aluminium equivalent (chalkiness maybe if aluminium oxide is white in colour?)

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 2:28 pm

I had a V6 with a badly stained tank......the bad staining often points towards a previous boil up when all the crud down the bottom of the engine/pipes is disturbed.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Thu Aug 20, 2015 2:30 pm

De gassing ???
Read and inwardly digest!!
http://www.google.co.uk/patents/US5329889

langtoftnick · Post by **langtoftnick** » Fri Aug 21, 2015 11:08 am

Having seen the diagrams of what is inside a tank, and the variations in pipe bore, blah blah blah Its definitely not just a tank!

Another example of the over complication that appears to be inherent in the bongo!

leave well alone!

rita · Post by **rita** » Fri Aug 21, 2015 4:07 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:
windywatson wrote:I have a 97 & 01 V6, neither have stained/discoloured headers. Is this problem of staining just restricted to diesels? If so why would there be a difference?
Plus what's this about degasing! surly its just a tank for hot water to expand into & a reservoir of coolant in case of loss.

Cheers
Good question. Might it be that the V6 is all aluminium whereas the diesel has an iron/steel block? I wonder if there is a V6/aluminium equivalent (chalkiness maybe if aluminium oxide is white in colour?)

Hi Mike , I thought it was aluminium head and cast iron block, you live and learn thanks.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Aug 21, 2015 4:20 pm

rita wrote:
mikeonb4c wrote:
windywatson wrote:I have a 97 & 01 V6, neither have stained/discoloured headers. Is this problem of staining just restricted to diesels? If so why would there be a difference?
Plus what's this about degasing! surly its just a tank for hot water to expand into & a reservoir of coolant in case of loss.

Cheers
Good question. Might it be that the V6 is all aluminium whereas the diesel has an iron/steel block? I wonder if there is a V6/aluminium equivalent (chalkiness maybe if aluminium oxide is white in colour?)

Hi Mike , I thought it was aluminium head and cast iron block, you live and learn thanks.

'Might it be'.....? is a question not a statement. Are you saying the V6 is aluminium+iron? I'm no mechanic, have never seen a V6 engine, and my question was prompted by windywatsons observation on his V6s and by my having a Hillman Imp as my first car - it had an all aluminium engine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_Climax

If the V6 has an iron block it might explain Haydns post about staining on his V6 header tank?

Post by **Simon Jones** » Fri Aug 21, 2015 5:26 pm

The V6 block is iron rather than alloy. Staining can also occur from rusty water as result of failure to replace coolant at it's specified schedule or the mix being diluted too much. Having also used RadWeld in an old car, I can also confirm it will turn any header tank a nasty shade of brown too unless it fully flushed out as soon as possible.

langtoftnick · Post by **langtoftnick** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:09 am

Brick Acid.

That's what you need to get the gunk out. Got another replacement tank from Ebay, which wasn't too bad this time, but still had crusty rust in places which I didn't know might not flake off and block something. sooo

Checked the plastic type (PP) and looked up whether it's safe to put strong acids in it. Yes. Went to HomeBase and bought a couple of litres of Brick Acid (Hydrocholoric) and popped it in the tank for about 3 hours, swirling occasionally. Poured it out and flushed for about 10 minutes with a hose.

I can now see through it, there are NOT deposit even in the corners, and BONUS even got rid of enough staining so that I can see the water level!

(yes HSE People, gloves, glasses, safe disposal etc!)

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:46 am

langtoftnick wrote:Brick Acid.

That's what you need to get the gunk out. Got another replacement tank from Ebay, which wasn't too bad this time, but still had crusty rust in places which I didn't know might not flake off and block something. sooo

Checked the plastic type (PP) and looked up whether it's safe to put strong acids in it. Yes. Went to HomeBase and bought a couple of litres of Brick Acid (Hydrocholoric) and popped it in the tank for about 3 hours, swirling occasionally. Poured it out and flushed for about 10 minutes with a hose.

I can now see through it, there are NOT deposit even in the corners, and BONUS even got rid of enough staining so that I can see the water level!

(yes HSE People, gloves, glasses, safe disposal etc!)

Useful tip as the general belief was nothing would shift it.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Mon Aug 24, 2015 10:57 am

It will get rid of the crud but not remove the actual staining which impregnates the plastic....

Alternative to bongo header tank??

Alternative to bongo header tank??

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