Overheating - Replace hoses?

[Scigsy]

Some advice please for a non-mechanic technical person!

We had an overheating problem with our diesel 4wd. Recommended garage checked it over and found no obvious problem (he's familiar with Bongos) - thermostat OK, no leaks, pipes and hoses intact (although old). Took it on extended test run with no problems. Mechanic thought it could have been an air lock but I'm just a bit worried that this could happen again. It is possible that the water level got low due to my irregular checking.

The mechanic suggested replacing all the pipes and hoses as they look old. He gave a ball park figure of £300 - £400. This sounds like a lot of money to me - is this an unreasonable estimate?

The engine did have a replacement cylinder head 2 years ago when previous owner experienced a split hose and didn't stop driving, so I guess we're a bit nervous that the hoses could split if not replaced.

Any advice from a Bongo techie grateful!

Thanks,
Jane

[M 80NGO]

How often do you check the coolant level, did the mechanic do a whiffer test on the coolant system ?

[Scigsy]

Hadn't checked coolant level for 4 months (oops).

Whiffer test?? No idea!

Cheers,
Jane

[dave_aber]

Low coolant alarm? Not a lot of cash for peace of mind. I know I'd be pretty crap at checking coolant level without it!

[mister munkey]

I'd get a second opinion ASAP. And don't rely too much on a sniffer test (checks for exhaust gasses in the coolant, Mine recently passed that despite a terminal tiny crack - £1500 bill. )

These things overheat for a reason, albeit one of a possible many & once cooked, the domino effect of damage can be quite terrifyingly expensive.

That £400 figure will seem small fry if theres a head gasket problem & it cracks.

Its best to fork out some labour time getting a thorough diagnostic check, it'll be cheaper in the long term & while your're at it fit a low coolant alarm.

Best be safe than sorry.

[M 80NGO]

Hadn't checked coolant level for 4 months (oops).

Whiffer test?? No idea!

Cheers,
Jane

I suggest you check it every couple of days for the next two weeks to establish the rate that waters being used, a whiffer test checks for exhaust gasses in the coolant which is comfirmation of head issues.

[M 80NGO]

I'd get a second opinion ASAP. And don't rely too much on a sniffer test (checks for exhaust gasses in the coolant, Mine recently passed that despite a terminal tiny crack - £1500 bill. )

These things overheat for a reason, albeit one of a possible many & once cooked, the domino effect of damage can be quite terrifyingly expensive.

That £400 figure will seem small fry if theres a head gasket problem & it cracks.

Its best to fork out some labour time getting a thorough diagnostic check, it'll be cheaper in the long term & while your're at it fit a low coolant alarm.

Best be safe than sorry.

Yep mine was on a whiffer for 30 mins before changing ever so slowly from blue to a yellowey green colour much to the dealers disgust when i took it back under warranty, my van was using a litre every 1000 miles when i got it, now its all been done she doesn't use a drop.

[mister munkey]

my van was using a litre every 1000 miles when i got it, now its all been done she doesn't use a drop.

Of what?????????????????

Oil? possibly rings or turbo problem.

Coolant? In which case 1000 miles plus on a blown gasket is quite good going. Suggest further damage may be lurking though, fingers crossed you've got away with it. Although most weeps seem to be down to Jubilee Clips being used instead of pukka pressure clamp clips on replaced hoses.

Fuel? - In which case, you've landed in Nivarna

[Doone]

We had an overheating problem with our diesel 4wd...no leaks...It is possible that the water level got low due to my irregular checking...Hadn't checked coolant level for 4 months (oops).

If the coolant level has dropped over 4 months, then it is possible that it has a slow leak. (Others have had this problem.) I'd ask your mechanic to check it again.
THIS LINK has some of the places where others have discovered leaks and may help you.

[Northern Bongolow]

maybe an idea to ask you mechanic to do a pressure test.that should show up most leaks.ask the mechanic to pressure the system to 1 bar and see what happens.

[mikexgough]

Yep mine was on a whiffer for 30 mins before changing ever so slowly from blue to a yellowey green colour much to the dealers disgust when i took it back under warranty, my van was using a litre every 1000 miles when i got it, now its all been done she doesn't use a drop.

Sometimes it takes a little longer......especially as Bongo takes a while to get really hot..... well done for persevering with it and a result for a warranty claim......
As the Japanese show in their coolant change information, the important phase for them is the 1st 10 minutes of warm up.... and as a graphical guide...they always say when the temp gauge needle reaches the start of the L-H arc on the gauge the 1st phase is completed(it works with modified and standard gauges ).....and that forms part one of the coolant change program and obviously with a "sniff"test this "guide" could help too as to when a test is complete or not.
I guess some garages don't always follow procedure and hold the test on for a long enough test interval on a Bongo like M 8ongo experienced, which is a good tip for everyone to bear in mind should we need a "sniff" test performed.

[321Away]

Radiator, also get the car in the air with the under tray off and engine running, a slow leak from the water pump is usually absorbed by the tray lining.
Julian

[M 80NGO]

my van was using a litre every 1000 miles when i got it, now its all been done she doesn't use a drop.

Of what?????????????????

Oil? possibly rings or turbo problem.

Coolant? In which case 1000 miles plus on a blown gasket is quite good going. Suggest further damage may be lurking though, fingers crossed you've got away with it. Although most weeps seem to be down to Jubilee Clips being used instead of pukka pressure clamp clips on replaced hoses.

Fuel? - In which case, you've landed in Nivarna

Well as we were talking about cooling systems and whiffer tests i'd have thought it was obvious i was refering to a litre of coolant every 1000 miles , yes it was a very small amount escaping down the exhaust port of number 3 piston but modern cars should all have totally sealed systems, thats why i persevered with the whiffer test as it saved me £1800 out of my own pocket.