Page 1 of 1
Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:16 pm
by mister munkey
Had a niggly weep since day one on Bongo, around a pint every three weeks or so has vanished. Not been a problem with the coolant alarm fitted. It goes off - I top up.
The last few days though, the situation has become much worse. Its now dumping the header tank overnight.
I've put a piccie up of the offending area. The initial weep has been from the hose that feeds the metal pipe on the turbo on the right of the pic. (green crusty stuff)
The new headache is on the left, where the bleed hose meets the other two at the block connector on the head. (Red crusty stuff. Recently stuck red antifreeze in)
Any ideas if this is a hose problem or does that connecter block in the head (fairly new head I add . .) have a tendancy to fail?
If so, how much hassle is this to fix?
I await some words of wisdom . . . .

Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:22 pm
by dreamwarrioruk
might be able to get it braised chris, or a new metal union sourced. if its the pipework thats leaking
Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 7:47 pm
by mikeonb4c
It looks as if the rubber pipe is leaking due to a poor seal where it joins the metal connector. Its a Wheelquick job really isn't it unless you are feeling like some DIY aggro. Maybe if they could see the pics we are looking at, they could say whether - if you could get it over to them - they could fix it while you wait (don't bother topping with 50/50 mix, just water for the sake of getting you there). Good luck MM - if I can help in any way, let me know.

Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:21 pm
by waycar8
Think its a 50/50 there Chris................i would scource the hoses as well as the metal pipe joint, as your going to have to take the hoses off to replace them but if it turns out that the metal pipe needs replacing as well, your going to be off the road untill you get the parts as well.
I would imagine theres loads of peeps on here with an old cracked head lying about that has the pipes still attached, ask em to cut it off and post it out then get you Biker mates to weld it on and swap the hoses for you, i think you should have a good idea how to bleed your bongo by now

Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:19 am
by The Great Pretender
Its now dumping the header tank overnight.
Pushing the coolant out or sucking it in?
Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 1:36 am
by bigdaddycain
PM sent Chris.
Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:28 pm
by Simon Jones
Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:21 pm
by mister munkey
The Great Pretender wrote:Its now dumping the header tank overnight.
Pushing the coolant out or sucking it in?
Just the constant drip of gravity.
Cheers Simon. I've heard these are a bit of a bugger to get a tight fit . . .
Any ideas?
Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:29 am
by mister munkey
Local Bongo Doctor spent yesterday having a rummage, turns out there were 5 leaks in total. Three replaced hoses, one fabricated part around the turbo pipe & a couple of frayed joints trimmed up, back flushed & bled for a very reasonable bill of £80. We are back in business!!!
Special mention goes out to David at
Benson's Automotive Services. Unit 11, Rawfolds Mill, Cartwright St, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire BD19 5LY. Tel: 01274 300033. This is the guy who replaced my head back in the early days, he knows his way around the Bongo better than most & charges sensible rates too.
Sooooo nice to have my best buddy back home again. Gonna take it out for an
Italian Tune Up now, just to make sure everything is as it should be.

Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:36 am
by mikeonb4c
mister munkey wrote:Local Bongo Doctor spent yesterday having a rummage, turns out there were 5 leaks in total. Three replaced hoses, one fabricated part around the turbo pipe & a couple of frayed joints trimmed up, back flushed & bled for a very reasonable bill of £80. We are back in business!!!
Special mention goes out to David at
Benson's Automotive Services. Unit 11, Rawfolds Mill, Cartwright St, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire BD19 5LY. Tel: 01274 300033. This is the guy who replaced my head back in the early days, he knows his way around the Bongo better than most & charges sensible rates too.
Sooooo nice to have my best buddy back home again. Gonna take it out for an
Italian Tune Up now, just to make sure everything is as it should be.

Excellent MM - this guy sounds really excellent and should be very useful for Bongo owners in the area

Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 12:14 pm
by Dabs
Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:43 pm
by mister munkey
Bongo has been taken for a good 70 mile thrashing.
Windy Hill on the M62, some tough country lanes & as much of a beating as I could muster.
Back home all is tight clean & dry!!
Concerntrating on the wheel arch scabs & fitting the new spats next.

Re: Coolant Leak, Head To Turbo.
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 1:42 am
by Bongoplod
Glad your sorted Chris
Brian