Bongo Fury

The van's been sitting on the drive since Sunday and when I got in the van this afternoon and switched the ignition on the coolant alarm went off.

I've had a good look underneath, under the bonnet and around the engine and located this as the problem;



Looking forward from the driver's side of the engine you can see blue coolant on the rubber nipple. The metal pipe in front of the nipple is dry as is the large hose so it seems the rubber nipple has perished. It's not a gusher just a single drop every ten seconds or so.

So two requests;

Could someone advise where I can get a eplacement rubber nipple?

Anyone near Northampton who would be willing to help with a coolant change in exchange for a few beers or advise of a garage that can?

Thanks in anticipation.

How much coolant had you lost? was it just below your alarm or had the expansion tank dropped below the inlet hose?? if it was still above the inlet you will not have introduced any air in to the system so you could just top it up and then gently run it along to a very local garage who could know doubt plug the offending outlet which is dripping.
When they take the old plug of keep the expansion tank topped up whilst they replace with a more secure plug so as not to drop below the inlet.
If on the other hand your expansion tank has already dropped below the inlet do not start your Bongo until someone with experience in bleeding the system is there to help.

Cheers CrAzY.

Hi,it looks like a sealing cap,quite common to Mazda mx 5 etc,
part number
FEA713104

You could improvise and use a piece of hose and a bolt or similar.

Cheers.

the fault will be the clip, not the nipple/cap. unless its cut through it.




jubilee clips aaaarrrrgggghhhhhh.

dont drive it anywhere until you have bled it. from this point the air entering the system will go UP. so has it gone to the top of the rad ------ or back to the head..

Thanks for the replies so far.

I'll change the jubilee today and see if the level's dropped again by tomorrow. If it has I'll look at changing the sealing cap as well.

The level in the expansion tank had dropped partly exposing the end of the top hose. I don't if that's significant but as the eternal pessimist I'd prefer to bleed the system just in case.

While V6's seem a little less fussy when it comes to the coolant system, having any air in there is not going to do any it favours. Remember: two cracked heads = twice as expensive to fix (and then some)

Some V6's are rumoured to have an extra hose on the expansion tank supposedly to be self bleeding, but I've only heard of two vehicles with this setup, so if in doubt: do a proper bleed.

If you can see any of the hose hole in the expansion tank it deffo needs bleeding!

Changed the jubilee clip and didn't have to wait long to realise it's still leaking so a new sealing cap and a proper bleed required.

Have asked a few local garages if they've experience of working on Bongos/Fredas but no luck so any help with the bleeding or advice on a garage in Northampton that can would be great.

i would look at all the system carefully, the larger pipe that the nipple is attatched to has a jubilee clip on, (see your pic) and the original clip pushed further down.
someones been in there recently.
while the system is drained maybe put a stat in too.

This might you want to replace it with a genuine part.



http://www.autolinkmx5.com/cap-rubber-b ... 1340-p.asp

you can also order the gen bongo one direct from mazda, they are listed on their parts database for the bongo.

Northern Bongolow wrote:you can also order the gen bongo one direct from mazda, they are listed on their parts database for the bongo.

Hi,could you give me a link to the bongo database please.

Thanks.

My Bongo looks unmessed and still has the Mazda expansion clips on the rubber / water pipes .. being a noobie and still on a learning curve ... I tried to 'match' those pics. to my 1998 V6 and I cannot interpret where the the relevant pipe is..

The radiator can be seen in the far distance, so get under the van & look forward, round about where the scavenger fan is.

mikeWalsall wrote:My Bongo looks unmessed and still has the Mazda expansion clips on the rubber / water pipes .. being a noobie and still on a learning curve ... I tried to 'match' those pics. to my 1998 V6 and I cannot interpret where the the relevant pipe is..

The pipes are forward of the engine on the driver's side. By lifting the driver's seat you can see the large rubber hose but you won't be able to see the steel pipe or the location of the sealing cap without craning your neck. I could see where the water was dripping but had to stick the camera forward facing down between the front of the engine and the body to see the drip's source.

I've ordered the sealing cap from my local Mazda parts dept and have assembled the bits for the bleed. Will need to wait for the weekend when some willing helpers will be coming round (by willing helpers I mean some friends who are coming round to watch the finale of the Tour de France but are going to have to earn their keep).