Bongo Fury

Last fri I got stuck in some pretty heavy traffic for about 45 mins, when I parked the bongo up at home I noticed some trickles of water coming from underneath. Came back 10 mins later with a torch to investigate but couldn't see any further dripping or such like. I checked the radiator and reservoir still has water/coolant in.

Anyone got any ideas where this water may have come from? I'm not sure where to look or what might be tell tell signs of a serious problem.

Could it be air con related? Air con doens't actually work (not got round to getting it fixed since I bought the bongo at end of summer) although I've been told it has a little gas in it. The heater seems to work fine though.

I'm no mechanic so not sure where to go from here or even if I should drive it? I need to get a new MOT in the next few weeks so need to find a reliable garage in Brighton anyway for that.

Any help much appreciated.

Get the seats up in daylight & check all the hoses, etc, sounds like you may have a pinhole starting? Whereabouts was it coming from?

Couldn't really tell where it was coming from. I think it had been dripping down onto the sump guard. I had it serviced back in Aug last year and they said they checked all the hoses properly and replaced one of the main ones that had started to perish.

Will try and get a look in daylight tomorow, weather permiting

Did my front offside drop link t'other day and had a drip fall right on my face for half the time I was under the car. Traced it upwards, saw a 1/2" hose with a discoloured clip from whence the drip was 'building' - and then traced the actual source further upwards to one of the flamin' rainwater drain pipe outlets at the bottom of the screen. Jacking up the front set it going.

Every time I jack the car up, a dribble of water comes from somewhere new...

All I'm saying is, it might not even be a leak at all - but of course you need to make absolutely sure it isn't!

Fingers crossed.

I think I got soaked by that same drip doing the same job TATM - on my bongo though - not yours - obviously
Make up a dipstick to check the coolant level as often as possible, then you can mark it & check whether it's dropping. If you have any doubts, it may be worth fitting a low coolant alarm if you haven't already. It doesn't fix the problem, but at least it gives you a shout if the level drops.

By all means have a good old check bongosi, in the meantime, keep your rear heaters going whilst on the go, if you feel the heat diminish, jump out and check the level of coolant...

Hi,
I can totally recommend Brighton Autoair for airconditioning repair and service in the Brighton area. Their number is 01273 684727 and they have mobile facilities and come out to you. They do a full air conditioning service for £37.

Welcome to the forum Mollyfish, pm sent.

Hi there,

By the way I'm not connected to these guys at all, although I can see why you might think so! I have been what I believe is known as a "lurker" for ages. Last week we tried to put air con on for first time this year and it was utterly dead. Looked it up on here and realised it wasn't a good idea not to have run it for a year . Got a quote from 2 garages for £69 and £90 for a service (no guarantee that this would fix it). Asked around friends, was recommended Israel at Brighton Aircon. Rang him today, lovely friendly guy came out and had it all fixed and serviced in 45 mins for £37. He said he works for 8 different garages in the Brighton area, he charges the garage the same £37 and then they stick on whatever they feel like for the customer. I was mega relieved it was not some major expensive problem (just a re-gas) and thought others on here might like his number. (I also didn't know aircon service needs doing every two years - better at £37 than £90 odd).

Sorry this is a bit of a ramble, just wanted to explain I am not sneaking adverts on to your lovely site!

Glad to hear you got it sorted so quickly & cheaply, now stop lurking & join in

Mollyfish wrote:Hi there,

By the way I'm not connected to these guys at all, although I can see why you might think so! I have been what I believe is known as a "lurker" for ages. Last week we tried to put air con on for first time this year and it was utterly dead. Looked it up on here and realised it wasn't a good idea not to have run it for a year . Got a quote from 2 garages for £69 and £90 for a service (no guarantee that this would fix it). Asked around friends, was recommended Israel at Brighton Aircon. Rang him today, lovely friendly guy came out and had it all fixed and serviced in 45 mins for £37. He said he works for 8 different garages in the Brighton area, he charges the garage the same £37 and then they stick on whatever they feel like for the customer. I was mega relieved it was not some major expensive problem (just a re-gas) and thought others on here might like his number. (I also didn't know aircon service needs doing every two years - better at £37 than £90 odd).

Sorry this is a bit of a ramble, just wanted to explain I am not sneaking adverts on to your lovely site!

Excellent tip there Mollyfish and welcome to our mad mad world

It's strange. I took mine in for a 2yr gas top up last year (Kwikfit, but he was a nice guy) and he said it was putting out cold OK so no need for action. I'm taking him at his word

Hi Mollyfish thanks for the link, were in Worthing so I have bookmarked the firm for when we need a regas, we use ours ALL the time so not much chance of it drying out but I can't believe we will not need it being looked at at some point!

Used this guy yesterday after seeing this recommendation -to regas my aircon .. what a nice chap .. i can highly recommend autoair .. but they have put the price up now £1

£38 .. excellent value.