Bongo Fury

We are going to do a long drive through France and Spain. We're not sure of the condition of our '95 Bongo water hoses, though we've had no trouble on similar runs. Should we change anything, just to be sure, and if so, what? Thanks in advance. Malabar.

malabar wrote:We are going to do a long drive through France and Spain. We're not sure of the condition of our '95 Bongo water hoses, though we've had no trouble on similar runs. Should we change anything, just to be sure, and if so, what? Thanks in advance. Malabar.

I'd be inclined to open the covers and bonnet while engine is cold and:
*check every hose for any signs of brittleness (squeeze them and see if they show any signs of cracking noise or feel wise - they will reveal this most when cold I think)
* Make sure the bleed hose (long thin hose under n/s cover that runs over the alternator and clips out the way) is beng held clear of the alternator. Otherwise it can rub on the alternator and wear through (check of any signs of wear/dinting at this point on the hose). Clip it up to hold clear if need be
* Check any other hoses for rubbing (I seem to recall one under the drivers side cover that can chafe)

With engine warm and running

* Check the clips areas for any sign of weeping
* Check for any sign of bulging in the hoses (one or two large diameter ones can succumb to this wall weakening, and eventually burst)
* Check around water pump for any leaks and listen for any signs of a worn pump (hosepipe and funnel can make a crude stethoscope to focus on local noises above engine noise)

If you don't have one, fit a low coolant warning alarm (can't emphasise this enough) in case you spring a leak on your trip

Consider buying the 4 main hoses that tend to go (Wheelquick, Wigan can advise on which those are) to have with you just in case. You can flog them on ebay when you get back if you don't need them.

Carry some 50/50 coolant mix (say 1 gallon) with you on your trip in case you have a slow leak and it happens miles from rescue

Get hold of the coolant bleeding instructions and take them with you in case a garage has to do a bleed and doesn't know Bongos.

Phew - that should do it

At The woodlands meet last year, one of the members arrived on a recovery truck - top hose had split(I think), but not bled properly. They had replaced the hose with a flexible hose. Anyway, Hayden spent a good hour bleeding and checking it and as far as I know it was OK. My point is, that if you could get a few flexi hoses that cover the bulk of the pipe widths, they may be a cheap emergency set as long as a leak is detected early (coolant alarm recommended).
But as said, a good check of everything before you go is vital too.

Yes.. I was impressed with the AA/RAC's flexie hose....the one hose would have covered the 2 top hoses and the bottom ones...Looked very substantial and very easy to cut to length and fit....Looked like a length of thick rubber "hoover" hose. Must get a length.

Thanks very much, all of you. Have passed the info on to 'Sir', who is pleased you would bother, (although I keep telling him how good all this is.) We will take the appropriate action before we go. Much appreciated. Malabar.

http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/ekmps/shops/ ... exho38.jpg
http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/index.asp

Could be a good spare to carry ...available in all dia's and lengths

This type of hose is only really for very short term use. If you were on holiday and expected it to last for several days, it might let you down. Allan's had bongos towed in where this hose has been used as a temporary repair for the top hose and it's only lasted for 2 days - it's pretty stiff, doesn't bend easily and can rub through on the bodywork. If you're going on a long journey, it's probably better to carry spare genuine hoses - if a hose goes, you'd have to buy them eventually so cheaper in the long run.

Must admit, I didn't like the look of that first piccy tha Haydn put up, looks like it'd seriously weaken the hose by having that groove spiralled into it. I think I'd prefer to have a length of silicon hose of the appropriate diameter (@38mm for the top hose) as I reckon it'd be more flexible & more durable.
As Doone says best option is the proper job, but not always practical.

I (and no doubt many others) got replacement silicon hoses from flippa(member on here and has ebay shop),worth bearing in mind

http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/ekmps/shops/ ... /gre38.jpg

This one, and there are others, are spiral wound with wire and intended for permanant use ...Kit cars etc.