Bongo Fury

Hi guys,

After some advise on my coolant pipes. I have a 99 V6 bongo.

Recently I had a leak from the rear heater system, not sure yet what was at fault but I've taken the matrix out of the coolant circuit for now. I'm pretty sure it was the pipe leading to the matrix that was at fault but until I get chance to check more thoroughly I can't be sure.

This leads me to a question though that I'd appreciate your thoughts on.

As I don't like things going wrong on me, I'm seriously considering changing all the coolant hoses for new ones. It's a reasonable expense in time and money but against that I will then know that they shouldn't fail for a while and I wont' be left potentially stranded somewhere or the engine damaged.

The existing hoses all look good, as do the metal coolant pipes but I suspect just looking at the outside isn't a guarantee they won't fail, especially with the metal pipes.

Also, is it worth changing the thermostat and water pump. How long generally do they last. Bearing in mind the thermostat mostly sticks open I guess that isn't so important, but the pump would be an issue if that went. The list could go on and on, as could the expense but I'd appreciate your thoughts.

I do plan to keep this car along time and use it alot.

If it were a more common car I'd be tempted to do the best I could and if the worst happened rely on the breakdown membership, but I'm often in stranger places that a problem would be quite a pest.

I guess I could maybe change the main hoses and keep some clips and normal coolant hose in the car should one of the other pipes go.

I do most of the maintenance myself and keep this well up to spec with regular servicing. The car has had all the service items and fluids changed at the outset so I know where I stand there.

Hi Apole, preventative maintenance is the best cure, there's nowt better than fixing it before it breaks! I'd tot up the price of ALL the hoses first though! Perhaps, as you suggest, maybe changing the main pipes is the way to go...But then, you have toughened up SOME of the chain...Could that make the weaker links even weaker? Who's to know?

I'd go for the best option you can possibly afford.

I did find a waterpump for £58 apole

down my local backstreet factors

Lol..............dont panic apole......sort out the problem, bleeding your V6 will be the same as the 2.5 I assume. But it is possible that I am wrong...........but I dont fink so..............

Personally I would examin all the hoses and make a judment on their condition. When hot and up to pressure a suspect hose will "swell" and when cold will feel "soft"... If this is the case I would change those particular ones ...also look for any sign of wear/chaffing.

haydn callow wrote:Personally I would examin all the hoses and make a judment on their condition. When hot and up to pressure a suspect hose will "swell" and when cold will feel "soft"... If this is the case I would change those particular ones ...also look for any sign of wear/chaffing.

I tend to agree. It'd probably be costly to replace them all and even then they'd have to be 'on probation' for a bit in case any of them leaked at the clips (as happened when some silicon ones were first fitted - thank heavens for the LCA). Might as well work the problem from the other end and keep the cash on deposit for when something that you cannot avoid spending on pops up out of the blue.

mikeonb4c wrote:

haydn callow wrote:Personally I would examin all the hoses and make a judment on their condition. When hot and up to pressure a suspect hose will "swell" and when cold will feel "soft"... If this is the case I would change those particular ones ...also look for any sign of wear/chaffing.

I tend to agree. It'd probably be costly to replace them all and even then they'd have to be 'on probation' for a bit in case any of them leaked at the clips (as happened when some silicon ones were first fitted - thank heavens for the LCA). Might as well work the problem from the other end and keep the cash on deposit for when something that you cannot avoid spending on pops up out of the blue.

Agree with Haydn and Mike. Perfectly good hoses on our van were removed/re-fitted during the camper conversion process, in order to fit a new cambelt. I then had weeks of coolant loss problems, due to clip leaks and in one case, due to an apparently screwdriver nicked hose under a (jubilee) clip. Northern Bongo gurus Wheelquick, when I then suggested buying all new hoses for them to fit, said that in their experience very few hoses not already showing the signs Haydn mentioned (none of mine were) actually fail - and if it aint broke don't fix it but just inspect from time to time, trusting your LCA meanwhile.

Thanks guys,

My smaller rear heater coolant hoses were both very soft when cold, no real resistance when squeezed. I guess that means they need changing.

What size are those rubber pipes, I think I'll get a length from an autofactors as a spare.

Andy