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Water Loss

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:45 pm
by Bongo Badness
Just checked to coolant level in the old girl and found that she needed 2Litres of water.

The water was filled when we bought the bongo but the plastic tank has an orange residue on the sides of it.

This has created a tide mark which I thought was the water level, oh fool and after a little dipping found that the tank was empty.

We have done 8k since we got her in Diss.

Should I be worried?

The temp gauge always reads about 1/3 of the way through the scale once it has heated up.

It has not over heated on us and I have not noticed any steam or white smoke.

your comments would be appreciated.

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 6:47 pm
by Peg leg Pete
Ceck for leaks and make sure you fill up with correct coolant when leak(s) sorted, best bleed the system too

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:10 pm
by haydn callow
Not being able to see the level in the expansion tank because of the brown residue is common in our Bongos. You could make up a dipstick to do the job or even better put your name down for the coolant loss alarm system which will be available very soon. This would have spotted the drop in level very quickly. However you did get away with it this time. I would top it up and monitor the level for a while. If it drops again start looking for the leak. It could be from anywhere.
Contact Ian if you want a alarm at the never to be repeated introductory price.

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:44 pm
by Bongo Badness
sounds like a good idea this coolant level dropping thing. Shall go and find about it now.

Cheers.

By the way do you know where this residue comes from?

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:47 pm
by Peg leg Pete
Probably from old coolant/or too much water added to coolant, but check for leaks asap

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 8:04 pm
by westonwarrior
I found from checking mine every day (some times 5 times a day) that squeezing the hose from the top left of the rad made the coolant in the expansion tank move a little which made the level easier to see.

So it can be checked even if hot but the pipe gets hot too so be carefull