Whiny Bongo - Heating problem?

quinnw · Post by **quinnw** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:49 pm

Ok 0 knowledge about cars / vans, etc.

Problem started recently when I started to use the heater to take the edge off the cold mornings... So I am linking this to a heating problem.

Zero heating for ten minutes or so, maybe 20, then a brief whine (sometimes left side of cab, sometimes right side of cab), it stops after 30 seconds to minute and then I have heating.

Today I noticed (twice) when this happened engine temp gauge normally lives dead centre as this problem happens it jumps to near overheating when the whineing stops it goes back centre.

Also, maybe unrealted is the engine fans normally that noisey when you stop and get out?

2.5 litre, diesel, high top, P plate - if that helps

Thanks again.

Bill

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 8:00 pm

Sounds like you may have an airlock that is stopping the water circulating properly - is the water level OK? The whirring noise could be the coolant boiling in the expansion tank.
The fan you are referring to is probably the scavenger fan that removes heat from the engine compartment. I have only heard mine once and that was after a long run on a hot day - it certainly isn't cutting in at the moment.
Hopefully, somebody will have come across something similar and can give you a positive answer

Post by **Bob** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:33 am

Possibly the thermostat sticking, almost to the point of overheating, then opening and allowing normal flow.

To chck remove the thermostat and place in a pan of cold water. Place a thermometer in the pan and swithch on heat. You can then monitor the temprature at which the 'stat opens.

Cheap by fiddly.

Good luck.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:40 am

Stockport Dave has just posted something similar. The whining noise turned out to be steam escaping from the header tank cap. This might well fit with your temp gauge symptoms. Maybe thermostat failed in closed position? Or (as Stockport Dave discovered) poor radiator fan sensor connection so that radiator fan isnt kicking in and cooling things.

Look in the Techie section at his recent thread on Overheating.

Good luck - keep us posted

Mike

quinnw · Post by **quinnw** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 2:30 pm

Ok the verdict...

Got a local garage to do the collant change, and boy am I happy. They have found the problem - head gasket... Blocked coolant hoses... Core plug...

Bongo is in warranty from company I bought it from, so over to them but this sounds big and painful.

Post by **westonwarrior** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 7:45 pm

sounds like you have a lucky find all the best with it

quinnw · Post by **quinnw** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 10:14 pm

Not really as the Bongo is off the road... But if the company I bought the Bongo from honour their warranty then no problem.

The core of the problem was blockage in the coolant pipes, apparently. Hard as rock the garage guy called them, all of them. There is / was a crustaceans build up in the pipe... Typical of when a vehical is left to stand for a long period and then re-used. So a lesson learnt for all buying imports...

The catalyst was probably trying to use the heating.

On the plus thankfully I saw the problem, asked the (excellent) forum and took the Bongo off the road as soon as I found the problem.

The forum was spot on so thank you.

Still doing the math tonight and this is not going to be cheap to fix. Head gasket, coolant hoses, core plug, radiator, labour, transport... Ouch.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 12:27 pm

But still, when you consider it is (or should be) common knowledge that the coolant system needs to be checked carefully as part of Bongo purchasing, you would expect a dealer to have given it a thorough going over and to have spotted what sounds like a seriously clogged up one. So its hard to be overly sympathetic with them. When a dealer sells you a Bongo they have to remember they are not just selling a dream, but a piece of machinery that needs to be fit for purpose. Maybe we should coin a new phrase: Caveat Vendor

Good luck getting it sorted and well done for spotting it.