Page 1 of 1
running without cap on coolant header tank(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:55 am
by chipvan
apat from evaporation ,are thee any reasons not to run without a cap,(short term)
yeasterday when i was out on my 14th test run

,i removed it for a while and as i was going say 60 it was fine,ok i know its not a cure .
anythoughts ...
Re: running without cap on de gas tank?(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:25 am
by mikeonb4c
The law might have something to say about it, and diesel spills are a nightmare for bikers especially (but you'd think a half full tank might be ok). But I can't think of any other great risk. Have you tried stuffing a j-cloth lightly in the hole. Should allow plenty of breathing while minimising risk of fuel splashing out.
Surely though if the Bongo runs fine without a fuel cap, you have found your problem?
Re: running without cap on de gas tank?(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:30 am
by slow_n_low
Just buy one of the normal universal caps from an auto shop or petrol stations, thats what i had to do when i took my Bongo cap off after a few months of the cutting out problems, when its time for the mot put the bongo cap on but dont screw it full in, just give it a couple of turns

Re: running without cap on de gas tank?(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:35 am
by chipvan
sorry not diesel tank but the coolant tank,
Re: running without cap on de gas tank?(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:36 am
by mikeWalsall
I assume chipvan means the coolant tanks pressure cap ..??
EDIT ..OOppss Ii was typing as you was posting
Re: running without cap on coolant header tank(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:46 am
by maxheadroom
When mine played up and took me a long time to diagnose cracked head, I ran it all the way home from Devon to Gloucester by taking the middle out of the thermostat, if fact I ran like that for months
I would suggest that is better than having no cap on.
Re: running without cap on coolant header tank(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:49 am
by chipvan
mikeWalsall you got it.
maxheadroom,just had a new stat fitted and water pump.i kno wi can drive 60 miles after a good bleed so will blled drive bleed and plan places to stop along the way!
have a aa card in hand
Re: running without cap on coolant header tank(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:54 am
by maxheadroom
Mine would run fine until you put it under load like going up hill and then it would chuck all the water out.
if you still have an old thermostat you could butcher that one and as for running just on water I ran on water even from a ditch when I had to

Re: running without cap on coolant header tank(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 11:57 am
by mikeWalsall
The pressure cap acts like a pressure cooker to raise the boiling point of water ..
Normally if the Bongo cooling system is producing to much pressure (ie: over 16.17lb square inch) the spring loaded 'safety' cap will open to allow coolant to escape down the overflow pipe ..
Have you tried tying a small pop bottle to the overflow pipe to check for any amount of discharge ..??
Re: running without cap on coolant header tank(short term)
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:05 pm
by chipvan
oh yes it comes out of overflow pipe when gets high,but yesterday i dove it for 15 miles with no cap and nothing happend,not sure if i can get away with this if i just top up as coolant dries out.
when i go on my day trip to plymouth i will add coolant which may help a little.