Bongo Fury

Due to various water leak problems I've been refilling/topping up with tapwater for the past twelve months. The Temp guage has been steady at 11.30.

Bongo serviced at garage last week: System flushed and filled with 'Red Antifreeze'.

Temp guage now reading a maximum of 11.00. even when run flat out and up and down Lake district hills.

Don't have any explanation...just thought it was worth noting.

cheers

H

Interesting point Harry - maybe the antifreeze loses heat faster than water

Does water/antifreeze mix have a higher thermal capacity than just plain water (or weakened mix) and is thus able to soak up more heat energy for a given temperature? I'm not a thermodynamics expert but no doubt someone out there is and may comment.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hb ... ocool.html

This may answer the question

Dabs

How about some of this?



"Heater Hotter™ formulated specifically to accelerate the transfer of heat from engine to cooling system in frigid climates that otherwise increase engine wear. Heater Hotter's™ unique formula allows your vehicle's heater to warm up 50% faster in even sub-zero temperatures and is safe to mix with all types of anti-freeze. Just simply add to your radiator."

£9.60 + £3 pp from Agriematch

http://www.agriemach.com/product_info.p ... cts_id=962

or $9.97 (half the price) in the states

http://www.cryo2.com/products.asp?m=sp&pid=63

Definitely need a thermodynamicist for that one Dabs It mentions improved conductivity though - I wonder if that is a factor?

I would have thought that with all the overheating problems we have heard about the last thing we want is something to get the coolant hotter quicker.

Vanmanerik wrote:I would have thought that with all the overheating problems we have heard about the last thing we want is something to get the coolant hotter quicker.

No

Think about it:

The engine produces a certain about of heat. The heat has to go somewhere. Hotter coolant, cooler engine. Colder coolant, hotter engine - and its the engine overheating that causes heads to go.

Can't agree with that theory, if only the Bongo's cooling system worked as other cars/vans then maybe the coolant has somewhere to go to and cool down but when did your bottom hose from the radiator ever get warm???

No an anti-freeze mix doesn't dissipate heat as well as water on its own but then you don't get the protective additives from water. It's a trade off. To improve the heat dissipation a product called Waterwetter from Redline Oils is well recognised and used by the racing fraternity. I know of a few in the Townace community who swear by it and believe me they have far worse cooling problems than Bongos.

a lot of people use water wetter in the toyota's,i use it when i can get it at the right price,normally pay around £7 off ebay,but recently seen the same stuff for £20,just bide your time and you will get it cheap enough,some times bottles for £4 with damaged seals,but seem perfect when they arrive

I just use what Mazda recomend, it works fine if used at correct ratio water/antifreeze no need for expensive addatives, good quality antifreeze is designed to cool in summer as well as stop freezing in winter

peter humphrey wrote:I just use what Mazda recomend, it works fine if used at correct ratio water/antifreeze no need for expensive addatives, good quality antifreeze is designed to cool in summer as well as stop freezing in winter

I agree, surely Mazda designed the system properly, what is wrong is that owners/garages are not looking after it properly. Additives may delay the process but I suspect they mask or hide the problem and, at worst they may simply be a waste of money. New hoses, thorough flushing, new thermostat for new owners would be the ideal, true it is expensive but there again so is leaving it! I dont think there is an "easy" solution for true peace of mind. Once you have done the above, then follow the two yearly drain and refill recommended by Mazda, sorted imho.

Spot on advice

Have you noticed that the viscosity of neat anti freeze is much higher than plain old water? Generally speaking, the higher the ratio of anti freeze to water,the cooler the engine should run,the anti freeze is thinner, so should run faster around the cooling system,which translates to more passes through the radiator per hour of running. You will often find that a vehicle is prone to springing a leak if that particular vehicle has been running on an inadequate ratio of anti freeze. A correct ratio will certainly show up any potential leaks because it is "thinner". Doesn't anti freee contain methanol too? Methanol is used in the solution that is sprayed onto intercoolers to lower the actual combustion temperature.