My bongo's head gasket is on the way out

[Doone]

The radiator just blew on a family trip to Selsey. We did have the air con on and a full load and it split at the top. The new radiator was fitted.

Members have often mentioned that their old radiator has split at the top.

You mentioned that your Bongo has been losing coolant on a run.

Actually yes the radiator has been replaced with a new one just recently. This is when it all started going wrong.

As this problem appeared only after the new radiator was fitted, its worthwhile checking the radiator. As members have mentioned, the new radiator may have an extra pipe on the top. If this hasn't been blocked/banked, it can cause problems.
Have you checked to see if yours has the extra pipe?

I don't know how much you know about the radiator in a Bongo, so I'll explain where it is.
If you open the bonnet, you'll see a large black plastic scoop/over at the front (you nearly touch it when you open the bonnet catch). Undo the 2 clips at the front of this cover. You'll see the radiator underneath.

You're looking for a black pipe, beside the radiator cap, attached to the neck of the radiator. It's just over 1" long, but less than 2".

If the pipe is there, is the end of it open, or has it been blocked?
It's easy to tell if the pipe been blocked, you'll see something (eg a bolt) in the end of the pipe.
If its not blocked you will loose coolant from it, especially when the engine is hot (eg on a run).

If your radiator doesn't have an extra pipe, or the pipe has already been blocked, then this theory goes out the window.

Also as Ady mentioned, check the thermostat is opening when it should.

I could do with a Bongo specialist in South East London where I live (Crystal Palace) if any one knows one maybe they could let me have their details...

There are a couple mentioned ON THIS LINK.

[fidel21]

Cheers for the radiator info, I have checked and there is no pipe as such. Here's a picture I took from behind the rad cap.

https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1164 ... 1738494978

The latest is I called a mechanic (D.R.A Services South Croydon) close to me, from the Bongo dealers list, and he has done a quick chemical test and fears it may be the head gasket as he says it's building up pressure in the top tank plus can't find a leak as such, all pipes are ok.

He says for £200 he'll take a look and let me know if it is the head gasket but says it may be the head itself?
I am not sure really what to do so maybe i'll take him up on it as he seems to know what he is talking about (well, compared to me that is)

I would rather spend £200 and know the worst rather than selling her off cheap.

I guess he'll fix it if it is and then it's just parts. (around £150 from the Bongo shop here)

[fidel21]

Ok, just to add to this thread in case it helps anyone.

My new mechanic who is Bongo friendly has sent the head off and it came back cracked or he said it failed the test? He now suggests to get this repaired, as the cheaper option and this is quite common as opposed to a new one, he has used the company many times before, and says it comes with a 12 month (12,000 mile warranty) but they insist on a new water pump, a new rad (which it is) and a few other extra parts to give the guarantee.

Total repair bill comes in at £1200 plus VAT I am still deciding whether this is worth paying out. She is a very reliable and clean vehicle with only 90k on the clock. Has anyone else had the head fixed on their bongo and is it ok now?

He also informs me that the fuel consumption will be better as it was using way too much since the radiator problem, along with smoke when starting up and constant over heating and loss of water on long journeys.

He also said he would fit a special alarm to warn of water levels before the damage is done.

I will report back shortly.

[Northern Bongolow]

get him to check that the head is flat, both top edge and bottom edge, the ones ive seen when they crack distort the head so that a skim would still leave the top edge and the cam pedestals out of line.
it must cost a pretty penny to get the old one welded/tested/skimmed if ness, would that not be nearly the price of a replacement head ?..