Rotten Gearbox oil cooler pipes - HELP!!

[mickc]

The steel pipes from the gearbox to the oil cooler are rotten and leaking badly. Is the pressure in the pipes low enough that I can replace with rubber piping? I would of course prefer to replace with steel pipes as original but I looked in the Bongo shop but couldn't find them there.
Does anyone know if they are available anywhere? My Bongo is a '96 2.5TD.
Thanks in advance.

[g8dhe]

They appear to be available from Mazdabongo https://mazdabongo.com/product/mazda-bo ... 5-onwards/ However I have heard of people replacing them with rubber pipes but never heard of any outcomes (people don't tend to feedback if they fail!).

[mickc]

Thank you Geoff, I hadn't heard of mazdabongo before, ordered the steel pipes and the flexies for the ends.

Far better to replace with the original system than a lash up with rubber pipes.

[g8dhe]

Here is a list I keep up to date, of all that I see with sensible recommendations;
These companies do a range of spares, not all will have everything so try them all;
For smaller parts its probably best to ring companies as not all the smaller parts make it on to the web sites!
SPARES:
Bongo Land https://bongoland.co.uk/shop/ 0114-2550836
Mazda Bongo https://mazdabongo.com/ 01234-480808
Bongo Spares www.bongospares.co.uk/ 01422-823249
Vosper Parts parts.vospers.com/ 01752-636494
Auto Jap Spares www.autojapspares.com/ 02476-474848
AutoLinkUK www.autolinkmx5.com/ 01556-509088
SALES & SPARES;
Ian Taylor UK (Stoke on Trent) www.japcarimport.co.uk/ 01782-594125
Southern Bongos (Southampton) www.southernbongos.co.uk 02380-733995
Stephen McWhirter Services (Cumbria) www.stephenmcwhirter.co.uk/ 07585-304362
Dore Service Station (Sheffield) doreservicestation.co.uk/ 0114-236-4691
Discount Trucks (Newbury) www.disctrucks.f9.co.uk/ 01635-254185
Derwenthaugh Motors (Newcastle) www.derwenthaughmotors.co.uk/ 07596-862711
Bongomaster (Leicester) www.thebongomaster.co.uk/ 07873-314519
Doctor Bongo (Plymouth) www.doctor-bongo.com/ 01752-224651
BREAKERS:
Milton Gough's Shaw Lane Carlton, Barnsley, United Kingdom. 01226 725356 www.facebook.com/Miltongoughs
Bongo Parts www.bongo-parts.co.uk/ 01403-741913

[mickc]

Having now replaced the g/box oil cooler pipes and the flexi rubber pipes either end, I now find that there is a serious leak from the connector where the flexi rubber pipe connects to the cooler under the radiator. from my limited ability to crawl under the van it seems that there is an elbow which screws (?) into the oil cooler which is badly corroded.

Does anyone know if these connectors can be replaced otherwise it means a complete new radiator which does seem a little excessive given the cost and hassle.

I would be gratefull for any advice/info.

TIA.

[Northern Bongolow]

They screw out and can be replaced

[mickc]

They screw out and can be replaced

Thank you for the reply.

Any idea where they are they available pls?

[mickc]

They screw out and can be replaced

Thank you for the reply.

Any idea where they are they available pls?

Any ideas where these fittings are available or a part number pls?

I've tried 5 different Mazda dealers and I get the same answer every time - Sorry but the computer system doesn't recognise your reg no. so its impossible to identify the part no.

Apparently the Mazda UK system doesn't recognise the details 'cos it's a grey import.

I'm stuck now with the van off the road, It's been suggested that I bypass the oil cooler at the gearbox end with the flexy pipe but my feeling is that if the oil cooler isn't required them Mazda wouln't have fitted it.

I'm stumped with this.

[Hazzobongo]

I had the same thing happen with another diesel I had, I went to a scrapyard and sourced another oil cooler and connected the rubber pipes to that and fashioned a bracket which I fitted beneath the original, worked fine till I sold the vehicle on.

Basically they're just a small radiator, the original is simply a small tank in the base of the Radiator and an independent one won't be causing overheating of your coolant system when the transmission is under load which in turn shouldn't allow your head to blow. You could fork out for a new radiator of course but considering the mark up on everything mazdabongo you may need a mortgage.

[Muzorewa]

Most Mazda dealers don't want to know but Warrington Mazda will definitely provide, the first thing they'll want to know is your chassis number then they'll get the part(s) from their warehouse in Belgium. Email is [email protected] and if you get Shanil Sohi, she knows Bongos and will sort you out!
Use the lushprojects charts to identify the part numbers you think you need and she can verify that it suits your vehicle.

[mickc]

Thank you all for your assistance.

This reply from Shanil at Warrington Mazda after an enquiry to Belgium/Japan:

The connecting pipes are not serviced separately.

This was the message I got back from Japan, unfortunately the connectors are part of the radiator rrp : £306.89 +vat

delivery eta 3-5days The pipes are included in D-code 15-200 (radiator).

My plan now is to fit a universal oil cooler as the main rad is in good nick.

[Hazzobongo]

I'd seal those two pipes up too.

[mickc]

Thank you all for your advice and info. I bought a universal oil cooler from ebay (£55) and fabbed a bracket to fit it alongside the radiator, shoukd work a treat.