Gurgling (bubbling) coolant water!!!

[stuey five toes]

Ok so I've heard of karma but this is rediculous!!!

30 mins after posting that I am putting our Bongo up for sale I get a problem.

I have just nipped out in the Bongo (10 min drive at about an average of 20mph) when I got back turned off the engine got out I could here water bubbling - when I looked under bonet I noticed the water in the coolant tank was bubbling - there are no signs that the engine was over heating i.e. the temp needle is about half way.

Have tried a search on the site but still confused - any ideas???

and is it safe to drive it home (8 miles)

[haydn callow]

Be very careful. Let it cool down and see what the coolant level is in the header tank. If o.k. I would drive slowley stopping every mile to check this level hasn't changed. Watch your gauge like a hawk. For it to be bubblinging it must be either boiling or gases are getting in. Bad news either way. Check your fan belts/waterpump. Go to a Bongo garage. Be VERY careful. Do not let it overheat.

[mikeonb4c]

Bongo Hit Brigade stuey five toes
- you've broken the faith and brought shame on the Bongo Tribe



But seriously, something simple must have happened surely, like the header tank level had dropped so it was emptly and the Bongo started getting air in its system. Would the first thing be to top up the header tank and - I hate to say it - attempt the bleeding procedure. See if normal service is resumed. Next, investigate what caused coolant loss. pinhole in pipe? Leaky header tank cap?

And so on. Might just be a simple thing. Again, as I always stress, I'm no mechanic so maybe one of the them could chip in here.

Good luck (and don't do it again - try and sell it that is)

Mike

[stuey five toes]

Mike - just checked the water level - lower than low.

Looks like you might be right about a small leak - I will try the bleeding procedure first and see how that goes.

Will check for leaks too.

Cheers

Stu

[Harry]

First pipe to inspect would be the bleed pipe, particularly close to the end nearest the engine/in the region of the alternator.

good luck

H

[haydn callow]

Sounds like a customer for the coolant alarm system. It would have warned you of this in good time to prevent the panic.

[Bonza]

Final test of Coolant alarm system nearly there.

Full installation write up available specific to the Bongo.

Manufacturer is finalising the changes and the kit will be available very soon.

Very straightforward to fit and no bleeding required.

Development and testing done by Haydn and the manufacturer-well done.

Looking good.

Bonza
(Stuart)

[raystoke]

I had a couple of near misses with the water boiling over in the header tank,Then over a couple of months had to change 4 hoses,eventually had a new waterpump fitted and a new thermostat. Then to be safe put some rad weld stuff in to seal any minute leaks .So far problem has been fixed for a few weeks but still watch temp gauge very closely

[raystoke]

I think the radiator is fine but the problem may lie with the cylinder head or some where else.Had the system checked by two different garages and they could not find any leaks so radweld was just a shot in the dark.

[Peg leg Pete]

Raystoke did you do a coolant flush and replacement?

[raystoke]

yes tried a flush but it was clear.like i say i was losing water slowly over a matter of weeks.The radweld treatment was just a trial to see if it did work, and fortunately it has done so far.But got to take it back to garage as I am now having probs with starter motor.He says he can fix it without much trouble.Hope so!!!!

[Vanmanerik]

Hi Ray, did you know there is a guy in Cheddleton that is a Bongo specialist, turn right at bottom of hill into Station Road and he is on the right, his name is Ian Taylor, see http://www.bongoimports.co.uk/

Had a complete service here just after I bought my Bongo elsewhere and went back a few weeks ago for a full size spare wheel, good bloke is Ian.