Aaaaand I have a coolant leak

[ever after.]

Finally got the chance to take the van out for its first good spin in a while. and it performed well, the temperature gauge didn't go over 90 climbing.
All was well and good until we parked up to have dinner. When I went to switch on the ignition the coolant alarm went off.
Upon further investigation we noticed a leak coming from a small pipe which I've marked in red below in the second picture.

IMG_1857 by Sodium Streets, on Flickr

IMG_1855 2 by Sodium Streets, on Flickr

I was in the middle of nowhere and was left with little choice but to top up the tank with clean water from the kitchen unit. I was only about 20 min drive from home and the temperatures never rose above 88.

I'm planning on taking it into the local Mazda dealership to have it fixed right, I presume the water I put in it was a bad idea and it will need to be flushed/pressure tested/bled as well as a new pipe?

Thanks for reading and all advice welcome

[sotal]

Water should be ok as a top up. Did the level drop out of the header tank though? If it didn't then you'll be fine. An independent bongo specialist would be best to fix it

[ever after.]

Hi sotal, thanks for your reply.
There was around an inch of coolant left in the header tank when I topped it up. I checked it again the day after I got home and it was empty, I should have topped it up again when I got home but I guess you live you learn.

So I'm guessing if I top it up now into the empty tank there will be air trapped in the system?

I called the local Mazda dealership and asked them if they'd any experience with Mazda bongos and the guy said they'd never had one in.

Looks like I'm going to have to put it on a trailer now and take it somewhere, I haven't a clue where though