Bongo Fury

callum wrote:That's the one yes. We're too strapped for cash at the mo, plus not really planning any proper trips this year (new baby in 4 weeks time), so it is a purchase for later on in the year.

All I can say is, proper trips ? A faulty Bongo cooling system is not aware if you are on a proper trip or going 5 miles up the road.

The temp alarm will warn you of impending doom at any time at all.

Yes, i am aware of that point. But my point is more that i/we do not plan on using the van as much, so my justification of spending that money on the van currently isn't possible. Had it been in daily use (as it was until 2 months ago) then i would have had more grounds to get the safeguard fitted.
At the mo, the LCA is what we have and it will do us for now.
Not everyone has the means to fit everything they want, when they want. We certainly don't.

callum wrote:Yes, i am aware of that point. But my point is more that i/we do not plan on using the van as much, so my justification of spending that money on the van currently isn't possible. Had it been in daily use (as it was until 2 months ago) then i would have had more grounds to get the safeguard fitted.
At the mo, the LCA is what we have and it will do us for now.
Not everyone has the means to fit everything they want, when they want. We certainly don't.

Sorry Callum, missed that you had the LCA.

BongoBongo123 wrote:I look at the temp gauge a lot, especially in the 10-25mins area when warming up, but an audible alarm is surely essential.

Bongo is a relaxing drive (and you are in the holiday mood after all) and you need the when something is up.

Chap should be here to sort it soon. I will watch what he does.

Fairly sure as long as there are no unexpected issues that I have the Bongo fill and bleed video in memory now after watching it a few times. The Mantra "At no time must the header tank become empty or the bleed pipe funnel, otherwise it is sucking in air !" firmly in mind.

Callum sounded convinced of the benefits of an alarm. I suggested the modified gauge as a very cheap interim. Got to be better than nowt.

I found it worked more naturally with the accelerator man checking/topping the tank level.

BB123, everything crossed for you that your van is given the thumbs up!

It is not back yet, either they are making sure it is done properly and properly tested as well or as I did think the flush has loosened some deposits which has made the thermostat stick. It was an agreed possibility. Though it was flushed and filled by the same people bang on 2 years ago without issue. It must be clean in there.

Waiting game at the moment.

A funny thing preventative maintenance. Maybe there is some mileage in leaving well alone.

Maybe 5 year anti freeze would be a good move and do it every 3-4 years unless something seems amiss.

I have a car that has never been done in 19 years, runs beautiful.

scootmonkee wrote:A great post, OP.

No offence but now might be a good time to highlight (to any new or potential 2.0 ltr petrol owners) that the bleeding demonstration video (excellent though it undoubtedly is) does not apply to them as the 2.0 ltr petrol is self-bleeding. The method demonstrated in the video is only relevant to the diesel and V6 petrol models.

I'd hate to think that someone would go through all that, in good faith, unnecessarily.

As a 2.0 ltr petrol owner myself, I'm mighty glad that I don't have to go through that every time the coolant needs changing.

I don't The 2lt has a bleed hose, if not you would not be able to go through the process.

Northern Bongolow wrote:now a lot of new faces have bongo.s this maybe a good time to give a few bleeding demo.s at the bash at stourport, it would be good if we could drag haydn out of retirement (inc jo of course) and all get together and show the high alarm, the low alarm and maybe more of the newer ones in the flesh fitted and working. this was done in previous years with some interest.

the bleed vids were filmed by my mrs and she has the view figures, you wouldnt believe how many times they have been viewed.

I would try and be there if I can be a STAR again......and perhaps Kirsty.

Well there is Bongo outside. Chap said he could not really get much more air out. He has test driven it and a long hill incline he said 97C was reached.

As I said once I had cooled it to 59C it only went to 64C on the very last leg of the ill fated journey back home.(I thought it might have gone up more but then it never sky rocketed until it got to 80C on the gauge) Weird one that is for sure.

I shall be cruising the local streets this evening to find out I suppose. A nervous drive no doubt.

Proof in the pudding. I will be staying local keeping an eye riveted to the temp gauge and checking the header tank level before I go out and then again tomorrow morning.

Fingers crossed.

BongoBongo123 , as a matter of interest did the garage/mechanic test the thermostat / rad for cold spots, or carry out a sniffer test.

Good Luck.

I would hazard a guess that no more air was possible to bleed out because it went Pffffsssssss when he took the bung out of the bleed pipe when he came here earlier. That was probably the trapped air in part being released !

rita wrote:BongoBongo123 , as a matter of interest did the garage/mechanic test the thermostat / rad for cold spots, or carry out a sniffer test.

Good Luck.

Nothing was mentioned.

If I do not see the temperatures I expect then that will definitely be mentioned.

There was a slightly peculiar thing mention that went like this "You know that bolt for the temperature sensor it is not in a very good position in my opinion cause the exhaust manifold is about 1 inch away from the sensor bolt and that might be giving you a higher reading."

That seems a little defensive IMO. It has ALWAYS been in that position so it IS the reference by which the temperature will be judged.

It has always been there and I have seen average 89-92 without going up any big hills. It rarely hits 97C without going up a serious and persistent incline.

Very good knowledge rita, if I do not see what I expect temp wise it will be going back to be sorted and I will mention what you said about cold spots on the rad.

I just have a bad feeling right now. The cabin seemed warm to me. I hope I am wrong. I will report back after a drive.

Best of luck BB123, i hope it's just the jitters you have because you noticed an abnormality. With the systems you have in place, i'm sure it'll be fine and if not, you'll have plenty of notice if something isn't right.

BongoBongo123 wrote:.... The mechanic said they "do a simultaneous drain and fill technique which is suppose to minimize the problems of air lock." That was there words.

I said the only way I know is the YT video on Bongo bleed and what he mentioned was above my head and the fact remains it was overheating within 2/3 mile from the garage.

I wonder if this is similar in principle to the Caine Alternative in the member's fact sheet on coolant http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/member ... oolant.pdf

I found it introduced loads of fizz which was hard to clear and it must have burped during its first proper drive afterwards as the coolant dropped 1cm but not since. So I'm not convinced that a simultaneous drain and fill is any "safer" but maybe it is down to technique!

Well out I go so will find out soon !