Experienced advice needed PLEASE

richdee · Post by **richdee** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 8:27 pm

Ok so we have the same ole problems as lots of others... OVERHEATING....

Been through the posts on here constantly for the much needed advice and thank you in advance for all the fantastic worthy information on this site.

However We are at the stage where we have just replaced the thermostat today (yes the old one stayed closed when tested), the bottom pipe leading to the radiator is still cold and about 8inches below the radiator cap there seems to be a constant flow of small amount of steam, coming from the radiator, but i am confused to whether it is the excess fluid loss due to overfilling and running over the cap or could my radiator be thick with gunk inside (although it seems to run freely from the rad bleed pipe at the bottom)? When i run it for 10minutes on idle to start the bleeding process there was an excessive amount of steam that came out of the bleed pipe from underneath the passenger seat, then run freely with hot water, since then its got dark and i have topped everything up with just water therefore no coolant in the system whatsoever. Will this cause a problem?
Must add once re-filling the system with water to start the bleeding process, i ran the engine for about 5minutes to bleed the system and this didnt happen (the steam). Squeezed all pipes to disburse excess pockets of air, then all caps on and bleed pipe stopper, this is when the above explained steam started to happen.

I know there are a lot of posts on here regarding this but would feel it a great help if anyone out there has got some one to one advice for me.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:25 pm

I think you may have answered your own question. If steam came out of the bleed pipe, there must have been air in the system. Try it in the morning and see if it's OK. Steam from the middle of radiator could just be spilled water evaporating as the engine got hot.
You MUST have antifreeze in the system. Not only does it stop the water freezing but it inhibits corrosion.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:35 pm

Keep us posted richdee. I for one am interested as I'm expecting to change my thermostat and coolant before long - anything I can learn would be greatly welcomed. Mike

richdee · Post by **richdee** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 10:26 pm

Firstly to francophile; thank you for your reply yes i will try in the morning and see what happens, another full day im guessing. Would you recommend that i go out now and put antifreeze in or will it be ok till the morning?

Also to mike i will keep you posted

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 10:44 pm

Hi richdee
Unless you are due a heavy frost in Essex, you will be alright till the morning. Just remember that, if it is cold, you shouldn't drive it because the cold air blowing through the radiator can freeze it - it doesn't look as if we are due to get cold in the East though.
Good luck and keep us posted.

neil/di · Post by **neil/di** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:08 pm

rich as frank said the antifreeze is more to do with corrosion as it is freezing

richdee · Post by **richdee** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:28 pm

cheers to all, ill keep you posted tomorrow on how it all goes.

Thanks for your advice.

richdee · Post by **richdee** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 3:53 pm

Well another day is here and touch wood the problem seems to be sorted.

The update is: Bongos definatley dont like having NO COOLANT...
Put it in and all normal procedure followed, have been for a drive just near home, sat on a hill and kept the revs at 2500 for few minutes, turnt round and repeated to shift any pockets of air, seems to have done the job.
Today with coolant in, we have no steam from the radiator, nor any signs of water being thrown back out, pipes are both hot and interior heating and air con seems fine.
Only question now is:- when should the scavenger fan come on? as it hasnt yet. Both radiator fans come on with the air con button pushed in but a bit uncertain on how the scavenger fan works? Also the temperature needle is sitting a third ish... just how it should be.
Will drive with care and keep a very close eye on the temp, also am now more eye opened to checking the coolant levels regularly.

Fingers crossed i am now more in the know and hopefully this should be the end of the problem.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:04 pm

Fingers crossed richdee - sounds like it is OK. Maybe confine it to short runs near to base for a while until it proves itself settled. 1/3 up the scale sounds fine. They say just below half is normal. I still dont really understand how you got it sorted. Were you following the workshop manual instructions (they are very specific about warming for 10 mins, running at 220rpm - or something like that - for 6 mins, then 2mins idle, then stand on your head while frying an egg). Did it start to behave just like that or did you have a lot of faffing about to get it settled. Interested to know. Hopefully a more technical expert than me will be able to give you a reply shortly. Anyway, well done - you've tackled one of the Bongo Biggies

Mike

adam · Post by **adam** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:25 pm

richdee

The scavenger fan is triggered by a temp sensor that is located under the plastic centre console behind the hand brake.

When you remove the centre console you will be able to see a loom of cables running in this area and a push on connector.

From the push on connector there are 2 (i think ) cables that run to the temp sensor that sticks in to the engine bay.

You can unclasp the plug and short the cables out to prove the scavenger fan works.( Ignition on )

Recently posted a thread about this myself as i had never heard my scavenger fan in operation.

Good luck

richdee · Post by **richdee** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:13 pm

Mike:- Will definatley be staying near home for a while just to monitor, we live in the middle of nowhere, so scary old process to break down. All i can say is the coolant is very important and seemed to work like a magic potion. Yes workshop instructions were followed, the only difference would be when i first took it of the driveway, i parked on an angle on the kerb for bleeding process and then moved the vehicle so it was facing the other way (yet again on the kerb). Then ventured further afield to the sea wall with a perfect slope (although a few strange looks whilst keeping the revs up and monitoring the time).
The overall reply is today it seemed to go very smoothly but i have spent three days solid faffing around. In all it has been off the road for just over 2weeks, but hey the weather and lack of time didnt help. Hopefully the problem is now solved but bit wary to speak too soon. Have learnt more about bongos in the last 2 weeks than many cars in a lifetime, although couldnt have done any of it without the wealth of information on this site.
Thank you to all out there!!!! ROCK ON WITH THE BONGO'n'...

Adam:- Thank you for the information i will definatly be trying what you suggested tomorrow. Learning more and more each day..

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:21 pm

Thats excellent richdee. The way I look at it is - who cares about wasted days in dull old February if it means the old girl is fettled and ready to rock and roll come the spring/summer

richdee · Post by **richdee** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 7:46 pm

Agree all the way mike, the other half and kids are already bending my ear, even for just a short weekend away. Being a bongoer is deffinatley addictive, whatever the weather.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 8:27 pm

Good to hear richdee - I thought it sounded like you'd sorted it when you said about the water from the bleed pipe. Glad you've now got antifreeze in - it really is essential to maintain the old lump.