Bongo Fury

Hi

My husband and I have bought (in October '09)a 1995 automatic diesal Mazda Bongo. We've kept it in our drive since then and we are taking it to get the cam belt and other belts done, wax oiled and treat any rust spots. He has also put anti freeze in for the winter.

He has taken the seats out and is going to put a floor in. We intend to have a side conversion done first (by a conversion specialist (in Sheffield)- then use it and see how we like it.

However, last week just as he was getting it ready - he noticed that water had come out of the plastic container in the engine. After thinking the worst - he contacted his nephew who ticked the engine over to see 'if it boiled up' which it didn't. They couldn't diagnose the where the leak was coming from. Nephew advised putting in 'K-Tel' (I think!! - forgive me - am not into mechanics and hubbie isn't here at moment). Anyway - next day the plastic container had emptied again - and water on floor. Nephew hazarded a guess at the gasket gone on water pump.

Anyway, when we take it to the mechanic next week - we are hoping he can diagnose it when he changes the belts etc.

Anyone got any ideas?

Also any advice on anything else before we begin.
Many thanks

Colin & Sonia

Firstly - dont drive it anywhere. These engines don't like running without coolant, you could quickly end up with a damaged cylinder that will end up with a big bill.

If you let us know where you are, someone may be able to help you locate the leak. Usual suspects are bleed hose that runs over the alternator, water pump, radiator and metal pipes that run to the rear heater on the RH side about halfway back.

Had you bled the coolant correctly (fact sheet in the members area)? did you look to see if any of the hoses had burst? Could be that a pipe froze & burst in the cold weather, especially if it wasn't bled correctly. Going straight to putting k-seal in without checking anything else isn't really the answer. Coolant system on a bongo is a complex beast, you certainly shouldn't drive it anywhere if it's dropping coolant like that, get it recovered to a bongo friendly garage.
Where are you? if you update your proflie to incude your approximate location, local assistance may be on hand.

Hi to our replies - we live in Burnley Lancs. Cant tell you what my hubbie did when he put the anti freeze in but I remember he took a long time because he said he had to run the water right through. He's not home yet but I thought I might make a start with getting to know other Bongo owners. Am only just getting used to the web site.

Thanks again for your replies

Son

If you drive it while it's leaking you risk overheating the engine.
If you can't see where the leak is coming from, you can put a special dye in the system which will help to show where it's leaking. Also a garage can pressurise the system which can help to show the leak.

Hi, and welcome to you both.

As the others have said, DON'T DRIVE IT, until this problem has been sorted out.

Wheelquick in Wigan aren't that far from you, and are well known Bongo experts.

Hi to all

Hubbie (Col) home now.

He says he thinks it is only the water in the plastic container that is lost. The van does not appear to be overheating when ticking over. It also does not appear to be leaking when warm - only when it has cooled down.

Thanks

The water in the header tank is connected to the rest of the system, you shouldn't be losing any coolant, but if there are no obvious leaks, it could well be the waterpump, there's a factsheet in the members area on replacing it, but please don't risk driving it with ongoing leaks like this, the standard temp gauge is dumbed down, so will not tell you it's overheating until it already is. Look at the coolant alarm factsheet in the members area to explain more.
If you overheat, chances are it'll cost you a new cylinder head if your unlucky, please heed the warnings on here.

If you click on "user control panel" top right, you can put your location in yout profile, along with you forum name etc, so it appears with every post.

Many thanks to all for your advice. The big message here is obviously DONT DRIVE IT. We take that on board - just got to fathom how to get it to get it repaired.

Regards

Son & Col

If you lost coolant and the level in the tank went down .... and then just topped it up ....or when hubby put antifreeze in ..... you will almost certainly have trapped air in the engine and whatever anyone says it is not easy to get out unless you know quite a bit about Bongos.....
Save yourselves a lot of greif and get it (transported) to a Bongo garage......if your near Wigan...give Wheelquick a ring.
DO NOT DRIVE IT......

If your in the RAC/AA get it down the road and then recovered to Wheelquick. Or phone them....they will collect it.

Give Mike Snr at Wheelquick in Wigan a ring, they are one of the best Bongo Garages in the country if not the best and they don't charge the earth. I come all the way down from Scotland to have my Bongo serviced there, it helps that my sister lives locally. Wheelquick: 01942 217800.

Tony

Forum member Little Jobby lives in Darwen, you could try a PM to him for advice on any more local experienced Bongo Garages, don't trust a garage that has never serviced a Bongo before. They have to know how to bleed the cooling system properly or it could cost you a new head on your engine.

Thre is also Adrian in Bury (haven't got number handy but have a search for his name on here) who is very good. Its not impossible that - with a job like that - he may consider coming out to you provided you offer to pay an extra cost (which may still be cheaper than getting it to him) and may even change a water pump on site. You can only ask

Oh and welcome

Hi Personnel Message sent to you. May be able to help with a low loader etc or to chat to another owner. 07747451886 Here to help if you need.