how many hours to change 5 hoses and stat + bleed

[triathlondave]

Hi looking for a bit of advice.

Bongo been in for a coolent change 5 main hoses changed (the one's available on e-bay) + new stat plus a bleed.

going to be charged 4 hours labour. (almost 1 for the bleed, which is proably a good thing?)

4 hours as it's a difficult job.

is this about right?
Thanks for any opinions. as not an area I know much about?

Triathlondave
yes fitted a coolent alarm.

[nfn]

Four hours doesn't sound too unreasonable: it took me more time than I expected to do this job because the pipes that the hoses attach to needed quite a bit of cleaning-up, and it also took a while to test drive, check, tighten some of the hose clamps some more, then test drive and check for leaks again. Not to mention the laborious bleeding process... But it's a job well worth doing IMO.

Most important is that the mechanic is familiar with bleeding bongo cooling systems, or at the very least is willing to follow to the letter the factsheet on bleeding on this site (you should bring a copy). The bongo is not simple to bleed, and even my high-tech compressor-driven vacuum coolant refill gadget did not completely get the air bubbles out of the system (there was probably a little air trapped the other side of the stat).

[apole]

Hi there,

Sounds about right. TBH is the person doing the work knows bongo's well I'd rather pay for what he needed to do (based on the fact he is good, respected and not out to overcharge). Reason for this is he may encounter some issue that takes him longer to fix. Better to have a proper job done, that have it rushed to stay within the 4 hours if you see what I mean.

Also I'd get the hoses from a member here called Flippa, he runs a company called the silicon hose store and has the right pipes for the bongo. Make sure you get proper jubilee clips as well.

Are you having the rad flushed whilst it's all apart?

Andy

[triathlondave]

Thanks for the replys

Good to know it's about right. Seemed a little long to me. But obviously it is not as easy as I thought

Work been done by my converter as last job, with a small snag list.

Very happy with the van.

Will look at taking your advice about a radiator flush, but will have to be next time as it's all done now.

[tonic]

Wouldn't the garage have flushed the radiator as part of the coolant change?