Bongo Fury

Hi
Yes to the airlock...
I have no washers every winter...absolutely frozen solid, as I ALWAYS forget to put -60C windscreen wash in...BUT...to save a lot of hassle, I am wondering whether putting the reservoir for the washers INSIDE the engine bay might do well for the colder Scottish climate, then you would only need to thaw the bonnet jets and pipes...just a thought???
Cheers
Helen

Sorted - washer wise anyway.

Several teapots of hot water from the well appointed breakfast bar have wormed out the ice, the A/C has come back to life too. Pumps now pumping, squirters now squirting. Phew!

Thanks all.

BDC/DW.

Agreed, the cold heater is more of a worry - specially as that was a symptom just before previous head gasket went but as Mason'd temp guage is sitting comfortably at 1 o'clock, I'll keep going for the meantime.

I have been letting the cap off in the morning the last couple of days but no obvious signs of releasing air.

Not wanting to be stranded so far from home, we're going to start heading south today & get another thorough bleed when back home.

Strangely enough, made the decision this morning to head home anyway. Me with two buggered elbows (don't ask!!) Mrs M worried about heart flutter & pain down left arm, Bongo misbehaving & surviving below minus 10 with a frozen roof that won't go up, frozen gas bottle so unable to cook or heat the cabin - even two petrol stations in Ft William could only supply diesel at one litre every five minutes as the pumps were frozen - very little heat from front blower, the signs were bad.




Left Inverness & had to divert via Elgin as some ghastlyness had happened on the A9.

Somewhere south of Elgin en route to Aviemore, on possibly the most extreme stretch of untreated 2ft deep snowbound desolate stretch of B road I've ever had the exciting opportunity to traverse



(more pics to follow in a later thread), the heater decided to start pumping out 32 degrees of heat, & the other half started to feel better. The last 300 miles have been an epic & adventurous joy.

Needless to say, now back home via Mountaingoats Pit Stop - Cheers for the brew Tony & June After 1200 of some of the most splendid miles my trusty Bongo has put us through to date.

Thanks again to all those that helped us out when things were looking dodgy, it just goes to show yet again what a terrific place this is & you guys & gals make it so.

Another epic adventure for the Clan McMonkey

Can't wait to see pics of your snowbound travels. And what's up with that heater then - why did it suddenly start working? (is yours climate control - could that be relevant if so?).

Welcome home

Chris, I have been reading of your problems quite helplessly as I have no knowledge of washers nor freezing temperatures and am delighted that you have arrived home safely, albeit earlier than planned.

You've sounded remarkably calm in your texts and I really hope you had a good break. Look forward to seeing some of your photos. It's a brave man (and indeed a brave family) to embark on such an expedition in the first place (I know you hadn't seen the weather forecast when you originally planned it ).

Happy New Year to you all.

So you have full heat coming out of BOTH heaters now then Chris? It sounds like you have cleared the (likely) airlock then mate!

I'm sat here in a room full of chicken's... But i can't tell you how many as i've not counted em...In other words Chris, keep a close eye on those coolant levels, and the continuity of good heat coming from those heaters!

Innit typical that the heaters started working ON THE WAY HOME?!

Looking forward to reading the thread on your epic journey!

Could one of the problems of been frozen coolant in or around the heater matrix? If you ever stuck around Inverness again give us a shout.

bigdaddycain wrote:I'm sat here in a room full of chicken's... But i can't tell you how many as i've not counted em...In other words Chris, keep a close eye on those coolant levels, and the continuity of good heat coming from those heaters!

I hear what you're saying big fella.

Just because the airlock is no longer hanging around the front heater matrix, doesn't mean its vanished into even thinner air.

Chances are its still lurking in there somewhere, its just moved on. Would rather it was excorcised completely.

Any possibility of a Bleeding Masterclass on Sunday?

mister munkey wrote:
Any possibility of a Bleeding Masterclass on Sunday?

Woah! Steady on mate! Watch the language!

Pm imminent

Glad you made it back down to us southern softies MM................
Found this thread interesting and may help next time you venture abroad...............

http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/for ... ?tid=15217

Bummer! my last car was a Saab 900 that I had for 20 years. It was fitted with one of those screen wash pre heaters. Oh why did I not take it off and keep it when I scrapped the car.

Tony

Elgin en route to Aviemore, on possibly the most extreme stretch of untreated 2ft deep snowbound desolate stretch of B road I've ever had the exciting opportunity to traverse

Looks like the Dava Moor road to me - possibly my favourite road anywhere, in most conditions. I'd agree that it's challenging in the snow though!

I'll echo BroraBongo's comments - if you are ever stuck in the Elgin / Inverness area (or anyone else for that matter), I'd be happy to receive a call for help.

In fact, is there scope for a "Will help out in an emergency" list, possibly in the member's area? The Citroen Car Club has this arrangement, very handy.

Agreed the Dava is one of the best roads, just built for bongos I stayed in Grantown for a while so have done this road in extreme weather and it is a challenge. Put me on the list, not good with spanners but can usually help with accomodation and finding a mechanic. Hope you got home alright Mr M and happy new year to you and yours.

Woody