DOH!!! 2 weeks into Bongo ownership &......

[Dom]

....I forget to put the radiator expansion tank cap back on........then wonder why there's steam coming out from under the bonnet on the way to my brothers wedding........which is in Oxford.......& we're on a roadside in North London.........

Probably did a maximum of 6 miles at around 20 mph with the cap off - kept topping up with water until got home & then found the cap sitting on the wall where I left it. Got a cab 2 the train station & made it just in time!

I was just wondering whether the good folks of Bongoland think I might have damaged the head gasket?

Engine didn't feel overly hot through the upholstery & the temp gauge didn't budge, although I know not to place trust in what it shows!

Any opinions gratefully received - apart from the ones that start "What a plonker!" as I've had a fair bit of that off my nearest & dearest!

Cheers

Dom

[Bob]

Don't know is the honest answer, but as a warning to others if you spot an overheating/coolant loss problem FFS stop.

Many of the head and gasket problems on here include lines like, "I knew it was a bit warm", and, "I thought I'd just limp home".

[lizard]

S**T


I never would call anyone a plonker

[cheffy34]

....I forget to put the radiator expansion tank cap back on........then wonder why there's steam coming out from under the bonnet on the way to my brothers wedding........which is in Oxford.......& we're on a roadside in North London.........

Probably did a maximum of 6 miles at around 20 mph with the cap off - kept topping up with water until got home & then found the cap sitting on the wall where I left it. Got a cab 2 the train station & made it just in time!

I was just wondering whether the good folks of Bongoland think I might have damaged the head gasket?

Engine didn't feel overly hot through the upholstery & the temp gauge didn't budge, although I know not to place trust in what it shows!

Any opinions gratefully received - apart from the ones that start "What a plonker!" as I've had a fair bit of that off my nearest & dearest!

Cheers

Dom

Can't comment if it goosed or not dom but if it were mine i'd look for the gunk under the oil filler cap where water/oil may have emulsified, give the expansion tank sniff for exhaust gases, you may have been lucky don't forget it two h/gaskets not one

[Veg_Ian]

It's a waiting game then. Regularly check the coolant level and for signs of overheating and damage to the head. Carry plenty of water with you and see how it goes over the next few days. I would be wary of making any long trips. You may just get lucky. Fingers crossed for you.

[Bob]

Best to use anti-freeze mixed with distilled water for topping up. Acts as a corrosion inhibitor, and you will be ready for winter.

Sickener to be caught out by the first frost.

[Mike Jill and Emily]

It may not help - but may make you feel not so bad about leaving the cap off.....

I have done it ----- twice

Saved by Haydns alarm

[haydn callow]

If the temp gauge didn't move above it's normal 11 o'clock I would guess you have got away with it.
I hope so.

[sparkymik]

Oooo thats a shame,I left the cap off the rockerbox cover on a transit once oil all over what a mess , at least it was'nt mine tho


Sparky

[haydn callow]

Whats upholstery got to do with it??

[Dom]

Whats upholstery got to do with it??

what i meant was the interior lining that covers the engine space - y'know the bit of carpet on top of the insulating material that has the gear lever & handbrake on top of it.

btw - think i'll be putting an order in Haydn!

Do you think i should be taking in for a service to get the right level of anti-freeze back in or just whack a load of pre-mix in?

Cheers

Dom


PS - THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO GOT BACK TO ME, WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON HOW THINGS GO.......

[haydn callow]

Have sent PM

[Dom]

Well I stuck some Anti-Freeze in & I've got a feeling it was too much.......took it for a test drive & steam's started forcing out of the header tank overflow & making a whistling noise.......... got a bad feeling somethings not right.

Could too much liquid in the radiator/header tank cause a terminal problem?

here's hoping i'm wrong as we're supposed to be leaving on a big trip in a couple of weeks.

Dom

[missfixit70]

Too much coolant will not cause damage, sounds like you may have done the head gasket. Did you bleed the system when you topped it up?

[missfixit70]

Having reread, if you have overfilled, it may just be blowing out the excess once it's cooled, check the level, if it's about where it should be, you may be ok ?