where to buy heads?

[chipvan]

just incase we need one...going to prob take the head off and get it tested..as still have probs.

got a few more things to try 1st!

[chipvan]

want to make sure coolant system is sound 1st.

going to use uv dye and another presure test,but alls looks like its not good...

[Jimbob738]

Same here buddy frustrating water loss used UV dye and cant spot a leak anywhere water pumps fine bottle had lost 800ml water in two days driving worrying stuff, my head gasket blew last september my Step dad (a Mechanic) said ill sort that for you so i trusted he knew what he was doing we stripped it off and the gasket was knackered, i let him inspect the head and suggested pressure test and possible skim but he said didnt need it, he put new gasket on and bolts no new water pump or thermostat i was not convinced this would last and against my better judgement allowed him to proceed.
needless to say now im suffering the consiquences of miss placed trust in someone who has no previous experiance with the bongo engines we dont speak anymore and i have a bongo thats drinking water so i decided today enoughs enough (after a trip to Rufford park its used all the expansion bottle and it took 800ml to top back up) that im taking it off the road and me my borther and my real dad a proper mechanic are going to do what should have been done first time round.

my brother fixes tanks in afghanistan and my dad has 30 years experience as a mechanic and i have gathered alot of knowledge and confidence working on my bongo enough to sort this problem out between us.
im saving up the parts now
New Radiator
New Water pump
Hoses
Head set
Head Bolts
Thermostat
Coolant alarm
and anything else i need for the job
also going to get the head pressure tested and skimmed if needed (which im 90%) sure it will do but we will see.
coming off the road 31st of next month when tax done and game on!
i love our bongo i gotta bring it back to its best 100,000 miles its got to do 100 more

Hope someone takes this as a word of warning always make sure the mechanic that helps/fixes for you know bongos otherwise youll be in a world of frustration

[chipvan]

i hear that presure testing is not allways 100% accurate as well..if we go down this route will put a new head on.

had a sniff test to the coolant and said it passed but that too is not accurate.

so coolant system testing needs to be dont to make sure all is ok there,

Had a garage to presure test coolant,but they only left it on there 10 mins i would leave it longer when i rig my own kit up.

And though uv dye maybe of some help..

Iam lucky as bro in law has lent us his jeep till we have it all fixed!!

[Jimbob738]

it is a nightmare but think i might just get a skim anyway you know, the engineering guys at Bates Nottingham have know my dad years and they did my 1.6 SOHC honda head a few years back never had any problems after they sorted it.

my brother has a saying "do it nice. do it twice" think basically means if you didnt get you're hands dirty you didnt fix it and you'll be doing it again soon

i have a Honda Aerodeck VTI that gets us through but had a problem sourcing correct track rods since last Thursday so its on stands hence the bongo had some extra hammer.

[Jimbob738]

I have just been on ebay looking at complete cylinder heads as i want this put to bed quickly i want to get some holidays in this year and think i am going to buy it have asked seller some questions, its alot of money but so was my bongo and it deserves it tbh.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0713255713

any opinions welcome, the way i see it i have a 2nd head to rework over the forth coming year and if anything ever happens god forbid i wont have to flap like i am now!

[chipvan]

look mate all i would say is make sure,iam on the twisting and turning road of repairs...and as it looks on paper looks like a new head BUT...

Ive just done a diy presure test pumping air though footpump into overflow pie on de gas tank and have found a leak coming off of the hose that goes to thermostat,this was dripping onto under tary and soaking into it..

I wiped it off with a tissue and put some card under it,drank half a beer and went back,and bingo 5 or 6 drops.

I did this from cold and pumped to just under a bar

[Jimbob738]

Sorry where did you do the pressure test from can you get me some pics what you attached onto and what kit you used and ill give it a go worth a try before anything else i suppose?

[Simon Jones]

Ive just done a diy presure test pumping air though footpump into overflow pie on de gas tank and have found a leak coming off of the hose that goes to thermostat,this was dripping onto under tary and soaking into it..

I wiped it off with a tissue and put some card under it,drank half a beer and went back,and bingo 5 or 6 drops.

I did this from cold and pumped to just under a bar

Sounds similar to what we talked about the other night with regards to slight nick in the bleed pipe. It would explain why it bleeds ok, but after a run, perhaps when you stop at a junction, the high alarm goes off as the air gets sucked in and causes an airlock. Hopefully, a quick simple fix

[Jimbob738]

Different problem to me really my waters just dispearing and no signs of leak even using UV dye.
but it would be nice to do a pressure test first i have been running the engine up hot leaving for a while to cool checking finding nothing anywhere i thought might be water pump but nope nothing again.

[chipvan]

well Jimbob738 ive just hashed together a diy one,using a foot pump and a car tyre valve and bits and bobs,i have a gauge on the foot pump so take it upto just under 1 bar.

I ve just dont it tonight(beer keeping me warm) and you have to really really inspect it,almost like every hose is leaking money and you want to find it!!

really get close to every hose with a bright torch and with dry hands carefully go round,make sre you feel where the hose joins ive just found 3 little drips in seperate places.

1 on the hose going to thermostat
2,on the top of the rad,the smaller pipe that goes to tank
3,the larger top rad hose

all of them all have moisture on the joints,so the one under the bongo by stat i noticed that it was leaking onto catch tray hiding the leak from looking up under bongo,found this by flipping both seats up.Now i have an ice cream tub under there to see how much its leaking by.
And the two top hoses on rad have tissue round them.

By doing this at night and when cold its easier to see,it shows up easier.

Think in my case it was drying out before i found it.But ive just also had a new water pump that has had a leak as well..Iam thinking just because you found (A) leak nothing to say there are not more lurking there.

iam not sure what to do abot the fix,move the clips about or just change the hoses??


Yes simon still think iam on the right tracks,and maybe just more than one leak that adds upto a problem.. did 70 mile at speed today b4 level went high and it only did when it was on the drive on tick over for 15 mins.

Iam thinking any leak is too much! and 3 is ....

[haydn callow]

To do a simple DIY cold pressure test.
Open the bonnet
See the Expansion tank where you put the water/antifreeze/coolant in.??
you will see a small black overflow pipe comimg out of the filler "neck".
Pull it off.

Get a old bike high pressure innertube (racing bike type)
Saw off the valve close to the tube.
Smooth the sawn edge of the valve.
This will now "self tap" as you screw it into the plastic stub you took the black rubber pipe off.
Get a pump with a gauge on it.
Pump it up to about 12/15 Lbs.

Now look for leaks.
The pressure should not drop if all is well.

When you have finished remove the valve and replace the black rubber pipe.

Good luck

[Jimbob738]

You guys really are good thanks ill try all this in tomorrow i reckon and get the UV torch back out i have printed the schematics of the hose layout as a map to help so ill try this first.

thanks chaps legends all of ya!

[chipvan]

here here

[dandywarhol]

To do a simple DIY cold pressure test.
Open the bonnet
See the Expansion tank where you put the water/antifreeze/coolant in.??
you will see a small black overflow pipe comimg out of the filler "neck".
Pull it off.

Get a old bike high pressure innertube (racing bike type)
Saw off the valve close to the tube.
Smooth the sawn edge of the valve.
This will now "self tap" as you screw it into the plastic stub you took the black rubber pipe off.
Get a pump with a gauge on it.
Pump it up to about 12/15 Lbs.

Now look for leaks.
The pressure should not drop if all is well.

When you have finished remove the valve and replace the black rubber pipe.

Good luck

Surely you'll need over 1 bar (or 1.1 ) to lift the pressure cap off it's seat before it'll record a pressure leak..................?