Bongo Fury

I have just bought a 1999 2.0l petrol Bongo and have found all the necessary places where Bongo hides the filter's/level checks etc. but need help with the coolant change procedures for the 2.0l beasty. I have looked all around the coolant pipes/hoses but can't find any infamous 'bleed' pipe (or bleed nipples) as with the oil burners ! Can any other 2.0 litre owners advise me on coolant change. I have read about 323 and 626 mazda's being told to slowly fill coolant at MAX 1 litre per min !!! maybe this info can also apply to the oil burners ? Having read the many topics about coolant I am a bit nervous to try and flush/fill with new coolant . Any 2.0l petrol owners near Stroud, Gloucester or Cheltenham ?
To the V6'ers - yes I know the 2.0l is underpowered but us old badgers are quite happy poodling along at steady 65 wearing our flat caps and driving gloves

No replies, does this mean I'm the only one in the village ?

Drained the system and flushed, refilled with Wynns rad flush, ran at normal temp for 15 mins (go for a beer), drained again, flush, then refilled SLOWLY with red longlife 50/50, ran idle until normal temp, then - 2500 for 6 mins, idle 3 mins - 3000 5 secs - idle 5 secs - repeat 3000/idle 4-5 times, (go for another beer) when cold check/topped-up expansion tank. Test drive.
NO PROBLEMS so far with only a small top-up. Top hose hot, bottom hose warm, heater throws out heat.

I've noticed that there is a coolant pipe from the thermostat direct to expansion tank and a one-way valve in the coolant pipe from top of rad to expansion tank could mean its a lot simpler to replace coolant in a 2.0ltr petrol Bongo Beasty.
Hope this helps any other 2.0ltr owner.
BongoBadger.

Hi there,

I have a V6 and there is a bleed pipe under the passenger seat as on the diesel. Never seen your engine, do you have any pics maybe.

Possible the pipe is there or should be and has been removed. I think a pic is the best way forward if you can get one and then people can comment further.

Andy

Hi, Andy, thanks for replying - do I have a friend out there Yes, the 2.5 does have a similar bleed pipe the same as the diesel but the 2.0 has a similar pipe which goes direct from the top of the thermostat housing directly to the top inlet of the expansion tank (this must also act as a permanent bleed pipe ?). Also the 2.5 does not have the one-way valve in the rad to expansion tank pipe ? (I checked with the lushprojects bongoparts drawings) if you check you can see the difference between the 2.0 and 2.5 cooling parts/drawings.
I notice both of us have the 'Cap,Sealing' part 13-104T which other Mazda model cars also use, possibly Mazda use this same pipe in their different models. I also have noticed that other Mazda club sites state you should change this Cap when changing any coolant piping or having heat problems !?
So far all has gone well with my first coolant change - Just received the Mason Alarm and will be fitting this in next few days, Haydn Alarm to follow - belt and braces

www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/indexA2AJRA0Ain.html

BongoBadger.

Hi, I started a thread on a similar note last Thursday:

I'm still a bit confused about this, are we saying that the 2.0L petrol does not require bleeding? I couldn't find the bleed pipe either, here are my pics:


The coolant resevoir looking decidely brown and as if there have been issues in the past.


The engine bay under passeneger seat with alternator but no bleed pipe?

How might I be able to "flush" the coolant system, without the bleed pipe? Ideally I'd like to get the coolant resevoir a bit cleaned up so I can see the coolant level. Would the coolant level alarm (Hadyn Alam) work with the coolant resevoir in this state?

Hi Giles B,
From the top of the thermostat (under drivers seat) you will see a coolant pipe which goes DIRECT to the top of the expansion tank, I think this is used as a permanent 'bleed' pipe (?). (not like the V6er's)
My tank is also badly stained and I have just fitted the Haydn unit with no problem. (have your screw very close to you when you drill through as the 'slight dribble' mentioned in the fitting instructions turned out to be a gush ....... possible due to the top tank pipe ? Coolant was cold and cap had been opened and closed to make sure no pressure was still there when I drilled.
I also had no problem with coolant change. (see my previous message).
On the next change I will take off the tank and soak in hot washing machine detergent to see if this cleans it - but with the Haydn unit and my 6" bit of clear tubing which I use to check level (and condition) better than the lolly-pop stick....its not so important.
I have also fitted the Mason Alarm, works very well, I can easily see my temp as it actually is.
Go for it - spend time on thoroughly flushing system, have some beers handy as you must let the engine cool down each time.
Well that's wot I did and its worked ok for me.
best regards

I don't think anybody has ever been able to clean the tank. The rust colour seems to be impregnated into the plastic.

Is the flushing of the coolant system a bongo thing? I have always only ever topped up my anti freeze in my non bongo vehicles unless I have had a problem with the radiator. I check my levels of a regular basis and top up as necessary. I have ran a vehicle for 5 years plus doing so without problems.

Neilos not quite bongos

Hi Neilos, whenever I buy second-hand cars I like to know that everything is to my satisfaction and as the coolant in my recently purchase Bongo was yellowy-brown I decided to clear it all out and put in the correct long-life (red) antifreeze at 50/50 mix. You can get a tester kit from Halfords to check your coolant spec but I like to fiddle with my Bongo so went the whole hog. I'm sure the experts will give full verse and chapter on flushing.
best regards

The only thing I flush is a toilet. I believe that engines and cooling systems do get ugly and dirty looking. I also believe that one diesel engine is not to different from another esp when said engine is the same make.
I'm learning to figure out what is under my engine cover using my old Vw diesel manual.

This is what you need - very useful. www.lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/
There is lots and lots of info when you 'search' Techy Forum.
Hope it helps
best regards,