Bongo Fury

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =5&t=49624

Hi All
I have got a split in my header tank, sounds like a kettle now.
Any one got a header / expansion tank?
Or anyone know where i can buy one urgently please.
this vehicle is used as a mobile control vehicle for a independent lifeboat and mountain rescue charity, so needs to be up and running ASAP and as cheap as possible as is a charity.

Cheers in advance



Just spotted the above post......I belive this confirms my obsevations of a topic a few weeks ago.......Also I had a phone call 2 days ago from a guy in Chepstow who had cracked his cylinder head (sent him to ADS)....he had lost all his coolant via a "small hole" in the bottom of his tank......he described it "as though a nail had been punched through from the inside" He has promised to send photos which I will post if/when I receive them..

And another "split" tank reported on the Bongo Forum...
Not so uncommon after all.
Thats 8 reported since April.

any other problems with the motor haydn, thinking pressure really.
and once they had new ones fitted were there any further issues later,swelling hoses,leaking rad tops.

Ady....no other problems....just these "cracks/splits" on the underside which if people have a look will almost always be there to some degree on the older tanks....

Hi,

I'm reading this with interest as I suspect my header tank might have a crack but other than that the system seems fine. I was wondering, considering the price of new tanks and the likely availability of good used ones if this is indeed an arising common problem whether a tank from another manafacturer could be used?

So long as the mountings can be adapted and at least the same capacity as a minimum and importantly, same pressure, rating there should be no reason why it couldnt work? For instance, Audi header tanks look a similar shape..? I also have an A4 so I might have a look - there's a bit of space to play with, though I think the biggest consideration would be that angled cap that does seem specific to the Bongo. However, the Audi tanks are quite "low" profile so could be mounted further back over the strut mount with the filler at the front, however pipe exit points could be a problem as it would mean turning it around. Mercedes ones are also a possibility. I'm drawing on memories of the >30 Jalopies I've had in the last 20 years (the Bongo is the sole exception here!). I also have a good scrapyard locally so I might take a nose around there and see if there are any likely candidates...

cheers,

Steve

steveyd wrote:Hi,

I'm reading this with interest as I suspect my header tank might have a crack but other than that the system seems fine. I was wondering, considering the price of new tanks and the likely availability of good used ones if this is indeed an arising common problem whether a tank from another manafacturer could be used?

So long as the mountings can be adapted and at least the same capacity as a minimum and importantly, same pressure, rating there should be no reason why it couldnt work? For instance, Audi header tanks look a similar shape..? I also have an A4 so I might have a look - there's a bit of space to play with, though I think the biggest consideration would be that angled cap that does seem specific to the Bongo. However, the Audi tanks are quite "low" profile so could be mounted further back over the strut mount with the filler at the front, however pipe exit points could be a problem as it would mean turning it around. Mercedes ones are also a possibility. I'm drawing on memories of the >30 Jalopies I've had in the last 20 years (the Bongo is the sole exception here!). I also have a good scrapyard locally so I might take a nose around there and see if there are any likely candidates...

cheers,

Steve

Hi,what about this..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alloy-Resevoi ... 4cf928fefb

Too Small...

There are loads of tanks out there that would do the job......just the shape to contend with.....Also it seems the baffels are a important part of the degassing process......Probably best to get either a good 2nd hand one or a new one...about £30 or £110 respectivly.

I've been looking for one that already has the coolant alarm float switch built in and am hoping to run in some additional wiring to a warning light inside the vehicle.

I would be very surprised if you find one of those with the baffels in.....the baffels are important

I'm not so sure that the baffles are that important, especially if a deeper tank were fitted. The baffles are to stop the water sloshing about in the tank and to help prevent pulling air into the coolant system but they wouldn't aid the initial bleed process; I'm assuming that's what's meant by 'degassing'? Anyway if I find the right one I'll put this theory to the test.

Before you spend your money this Degas Tank Patent Shows the principle of this type of tank and why the baffles are there and why the tank is a 2 part design...