Bongo Fury

Hi, We just returned from a week in the sun to find the bongo (which did not come with us) did not have antifreeze in it. As a result 2 of the water pipes had forced themselves off and the coolent emptied over the drive! I have attached the pipes and refilled the coolent and she starts and runs ok so I think we were lucky. However there is a leak from the 2 small pipes that go up to where I think the back heater is on the drivers side and the water seems to be coming from the unit that the pipes are attached to not the pipes themselves. So is it possible that the heater unit itself has been damaged and if so how do I replace it?
Thanks Mick
PS I have bypassed the unit and attached the 2 pipes together for the time being and there is no leak but is it safe to do this?

It's no use just filling and running the Bongo....the cooling system has to be BLED PROPERLY....and not just at any garage....Make sure you know how to proceed before it costs you loads...PM me if you want for my phone no.
Do not drive it till properly fixed,

What you have done to the 2 pipes is fine......However you must bleed it properly..have you got antifreez in now ??

Echo that. This ain't no normal set of plumbing here, there will be air in the system & if not dealt with it'll, at best blow the head gasket or likely crack the head. It happened to me in the early days & cost £1100 to fix.

Get help!!!

Hi guys, thanks for your quick replys. Yep I have noted the way i have to bleed the system and have just drained all the water out as its getting cold here in Essex. I just need to know if I am going to have to replace that rear matrix heater thingy as if I am I guess I am going to have to bleed the system all over again so I might as well wait until I have the part. Do you think the ice would have damaged the matrix? and if it has how hard is it too change and where do i get the part?
Thanks Mick

Get in touch by PM if you need to replace the rear heater unit.

I'm breaking my bongo at the moment on a not for profit basis and still have the rear unit (still on the van).

cheers

H

Festivalmick, sounds like you were very, very lucky. When the pipes blew off, I guess much of the water escaped and this might have included what was in the heater matrix (being tucked further away, it would have been one of the last things to freeze).

Probably worth just fixing the pipes first, refilling and bleeding properly, and then looking for coolant loss - seems a bit crazy to replace the matrix if it doesn't need doing?

When sorted, drain again and replace with around 50:50 good quality antifreeze mix (also contains very important corrosion inhibitors.)

Obviously, don't leave it sitting with neat water for any length of time - it's getting cold again...

haydn callow wrote:What you have done to the 2 pipes is fine......However you must bleed it properly..have you got antifreez in now ??

Just want to say thanks(sorry its so late).
I recieved the Coolant alarm, but I think I will have it fitted By Alan, when I get there -and have the system bled etc. Just wondered though Is there a special Antifreeze I need to use or will any do?

Cheers Anna

not so old wrote:

haydn callow wrote:What you have done to the 2 pipes is fine......However you must bleed it properly..have you got antifreez in now ??

Just want to say thanks(sorry its so late).
I recieved the Coolant alarm, but I think I will have it fitted By Alan, when I get there -and have the system bled etc. Just wondered though Is there a special Antifreeze I need to use or will any do?

Cheers Anna

It must be one suitable for "aluminium engines" so that it contains the correct corrosion inhibitors. If the system has been completely flushed the type (colour) doesn't matter - but to be safe only top up in future with a 50/50 mixture of the same stuff.

scanner wrote:

not so old wrote:

haydn callow wrote:What you have done to the 2 pipes is fine......However you must bleed it properly..have you got antifreez in now ??

Just want to say thanks(sorry its so late).
I recieved the Coolant alarm, but I think I will have it fitted By Alan, when I get there -and have the system bled etc. Just wondered though Is there a special Antifreeze I need to use or will any do?

Cheers Anna

It must be one suitable for "aluminium engines" so that it contains the correct corrosion inhibitors. If the system has been completely flushed the type (colour) doesn't matter - but to be safe only top up in future with a 50/50 mixture of the same stuff.

Thanks for that Scanner.
I have made a note for shopping.
Cheers Anna