Bongo Fury

A really common problem on this forum seems to be coolant loss (why else would a low coolant alarm have been invented!) leading to overheating and eventually a blown head gasket.
Hose malfunction seems to be a real issue, and it seems that silicone hoses are far superior than the normal hoses you can get. Perhaps i am getting too cynical waiting for the next problem to happen (while I should be just enjoying the Bongo, which I really do - still grinning! ), but I'm currently thinking it may be better to be prepared (dib dob dib etc ) in advance.
I'm considering getting some silicone hoses

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWAX:IT

either to replace immediately, or (most likely option) just have in reserve so that if or when I get a problem I will have them ready to replace rather than have to go through the process of ordering, waiting (out of stock issue perhaps?), and then booking in to garage, etc, etc..... All this extra time would mean the Bongo would be off the road, and I would not be grinning.
Am I being paranoid or is it wise to have a backup plan in advance???

Andrew

Get the whole set & replace them all, then you know it's done rather than sitting waiting for it to happen, new stat while you're at it & a thorough 2 part flush ( I may have mentioned this once or twice before ) .

missfixit70 wrote:Get the whole set & replace them all, then you know it's done rather than sitting waiting for it to happen, new stat while you're at it & a thorough 2 part flush ( I may have mentioned this once or twice before ) .

Hi Kirsty

New stat? 2 part flush?

Andrew

I may have mentioned this once or twice before

She has you know. CLICK HERE

Two ladies who know their stuff.

Bob wrote:Two ladies who know their stuff.

Very true - I feel an ebay purchase coming on.

Andrew

missfixit70 wrote:Get the whole set & replace them all, then you know it's done rather than sitting waiting for it to happen, new stat while you're at it & a thorough 2 part flush ( I may have mentioned this once or twice before ) .

Good point, although after paying for the hoses, and then paying for labour for someone to fit them and do all the flushes and stats(!) necessary, it could get costly, especially after just having spent £80 for fixing a sheared manifold stud and fitting EGR blanking plates.
Christmas is coming - it may be having to contend with buying the hoses and waiting a bit to get them fitted.

Andrew

Stat - thermostat, just the one

missfixit70 wrote:Stat - thermostat, just the one

Forgive me for asking, but why is a new thermostat needed?

Andrew

Playing Devils Advocate here but - Standard Mazda hoses have at least a ten year (if not significantly more, lifespan).

One of the selling points of the silicone is that they last longer than standard ones.

I've not compared like for like prices too deeply but are they worth the money?

How many can realisticly envisage still having their Bongo in 2019?

mister munkey wrote:Playing Devils Advocate here but - Standard Mazda hoses have at least a ten year (if not significantly more, lifespan).

One of the selling points of the silicone is that they last longer than standard ones.

I've not compared like for like prices too deeply but are they worth the money?

How many can realisticly envisage still having their Bongo in 2019?

Kept the last car over 18 years, and as I pointed out to Mrs B when the Bongo arrived, if we keep it as long we will be well into our 70s.

mister munkey wrote:How many can realisticly envisage still having their Bongo in 2019?

Would love to think so. I might even be finished paying for it by then.

Silicon hoses work out a tad cheaper I think & they look prettier too

Is the complete set still available? I've only seen the four main ones on ebay lately.

The link posted by hembramacho is a new supplier, only seems to have the 4 large hoses, Flippa was selling the full sets (well 14 anyway), but not sure if he still is - http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/silicone- ... QQ_armrsZ1 might be worth giving him a shout.
Bear in mind there are 17 hoses in all, so buying 4 is all very well but sods law dictates it'll be one of the others that you'll need to replace, ie bleed hose or the one over the starter down to the heater.