Help. Steam from radiator after first run this year.

[malabar]

Geoff. took the Bongo for the first short run of the year - 'half' noticed smell, and on return there was steam from under the bonnet, possibly the radiator. No obvious leaks from anywhere else. He has tested it under pressure, and is getting our local trusted garage to check it tomorrow. How hard is it to remove a radiator, if that's the case? Anything else you chaps can think of? I've suggested he make sure the garage works from our 'bleed a Bongo' instructions. The garage has proved honest and efficient over the years, but I don't think they deal with too many Bongos. All advice much appreciated. Malabar.

[Harry]

If it is the plastic topped radiator they do spring leaks at the joint with the main aprt and are unrepairable.

Replacing the rad is a doddle...see factsheet in members area.

good luck

H

[malabar]

Thank you for that! I've copied off the fact sheet. Presume you're the Harry who wrote it? Much obliged. Malabar.

[Simon Jones]

Having changed my rad recently, I'd say there were two things that could cause problems.

1) Removing the rad with fans attached. It was a bit fiddly, so I refitted it with out them. Getting the rad in was easy, but refitting the fans involved some carefully wiggling to get them back in again.

2) If you've got an auto gearbox, watch out for the two pipes in the bottom section of the rad. These contain ATF & the rubber pipes should be bunged up as soon as they are removed otherwise you will get an unexpected oil change

I would recommend going for a genuine Mazda part over a slightly cheaper copy. About £140 - £150 is about right from one of the suppliers on ebay That way you know it will fit, not have any spare pipes that need to be blanked off, & they're good for about 10 years if use.

[malabar]

Thank you for that, Simon - have transmitted the message. As you are in Salisbury, are you going to the Broker's Wood meet, 27th, 28th March?

[malabar]

Progress report. Radiator is now out, and awaiting replacement from the Jap import people. At the bottom of the radiator there are two small pipes coming out. Does the connecting tube which is hidden inside the radiator come already installed in the new rad, or do I have to somehow get it out - and get it into the new one? If so how? Advice appreciated.

[francophile1947]

Should already be there. Isn't it for cooling the ATF?

[malabar]

Geoff says that when he took the two small pipes at bottom away, there was no need to plug as there was no oil noticeable. He then checked the dipstick for the automatic gearbox, and it showed 'full.' Is this OK? Malabar.

[francophile1947]

You can't check the oil level without the engine running and the oil warm. If it reads full now, it's possibly overfilled.

[malabar]

Thanks, Franko, will pass that on. Have had brilliant help at various times from forum members and it is much appreciated. Malabar.

[Simon Jones]

Hi malabar. Not sure about Brokerswood as I will be in Hereford on the Saturday. May try to get along on Sunday for a few hours. With regard to the AFT fluid, I had mine on ramps to the front of the van was higher than the gearbox, yet fluid started to drip out. If I recall correctly, the pipe comes up from the gearbox & then goes down to the rad. I was worried about a syphon effect, so decided to block both pipes using some large bolts (sliding seat fixing bolts). It may not be necessary, but I blocked them as a precaution.

[bongomaan]

possibly it was those two pipes at the bottom of the rad being blocked that did for my autobox,maybe some extremely clever person could work out a method to flush these pipes and the intercooler out and then add it to the fact sheet for changing aft.maybe it could be done with a pela pump somehow? ...

[malabar]

Thanks for all replies. Progress report: new radiator is in, (after waiting extra days,and weekend, to be delivered to the Isle of Wight.) The bleeding process is being done as we speak. Interesting points on another thread about the rear heating system - ours isn't working due position of new conversion, but Geoff. is doing everything 'by the book' first time around. ATF to be done next, thanks for hints.
Simon, we will only be at Broker's Wood for the Friday night, due setting off for France and Spain on Saturday 28th. (Hence all the frantic questions when the rad misbehaved after coming of SORN last week.) However, between the workshop manual, the fact sheets, help from you guys and the blood, sweat and tears going on here, we should make it! The club and forum are worth their weight in gold, (and good for a laugh on the less serious sections.) Thanks again. Malabar.