Bongo overheating when running air conditioning

[planet Bongo]

Hello Everyone,

To make long story short, the bongo has been serviced recentely, now I notice the temp gauge go up to H when I turn the air con ( Fan + a/c) on. I dont usualy use the air con, but what do you think is causing this? I am planning my first trip to France with the Bongo soon, should I fix this issue first? any Bongo expert in South London?

appreciate any inputs

thanks

M

[jaylee]

Hi, do you have a Mason modified temperature gauge fitted perchance...?

[Driver+Passengers]

Is the temperature gradually building up to H, or does it shoot up as soon as you turn on A/C?

Are you running around up to temperature already when you try this? How long for the needle to reach H?

[jaylee]

... & does the temp come back down/settle to normal when the AC is turned off..?

[planet Bongo]

the temp reaches H within 5 mins after running the AC
then it get back to normal as soon as the AC is turned off

[Velocette]

the temp reaches H within 5 mins after running the AC
then it get back to normal as soon as the AC is turned off

It sounds like there is something wrong with your cooling system and the added load of the aircon is highlighting it. Climbing a long steep incline might have the same effect. I would get the cooling system checked.

Just my thought anyway.

[planet Bongo]

You might be right Velocette, the mechanic did try to clean the radiator, he said twas dirty, I Think that how the cooling system got messed up, do you think the Bongo needs bleeding? cheers

[rita]

Hi planet Bongo,

I would get the compressor check out(it could be a tight bearing or over pressurising),it would apear that it might be causing excessive drag on the engine.

Also worth giving the radiators a power blast,best putting a baffle between the radiators and jet from the AC rad to the baffle and then from the coolant rad to the baffle.

Remember and remove the baffle when you are finished.

Good luck.

[jaylee]

the temp reaches H within 5 mins after running the AC
then it get back to normal as soon as the AC is turned off

Is this happening to an unmodified temperature gauge?? No "mason alarm" fitted???
What does the gauge needle "normally" sit at? (Aprox.)

[Simon Jones]

What happens if you start the van from cold & then put the AC on? If it goes straight to H within the 5 minutes you mention then it sounds like an electrical fault.

[planet Bongo]

What happens if you start the van from cold & then put the AC on? If it goes straight to H within the 5 minutes you mention then it sounds like an electrical fault.

Hello Simon,

At cold start, the gauge reminded at normal temperature I even had a test drive with the AC on at max!! guess what?? it stayed normal, fingers crossed now, guess the Bongo is coming back, will do more test drive this week end.

Thanks guys

[winchman]

I assume the aircons like most other cars?
If so you have an extra fan that comes on with the aircon to assist cooling the AC radiator, if this isnt comming on then thats the problem the AC rad is getting hot and heating the engine cooling radiator as the fan isnt running.
If you start the engine and switch the air con on can you hear another fan start?, I cant test this on my as mine dosnt work due to a leak

[g8dhe]

The Air Con. radiator sits in front of the main water radiator, and the fan for both is mounted behind them both, the Air Con being turned on will turn on the fan at the lowest setting, higher settings will be turned on by the ECU to ensure engine stays cool as required.

[jaylee]

What happens if you start the van from cold & then put the AC on? If it goes straight to H within the 5 minutes you mention then it sounds like an electrical fault.

Hello Simon,

At cold start, the gauge reminded at normal temperature I even had a test drive with the AC on at max!! guess what?? it stayed normal, fingers crossed now, guess the Bongo is coming back, will do more test drive this week end.

Thanks guys

This was my train of thought.... However i have a Masoned un-dampened gauge..! I checked the alternator fine... Battery, fine... Cleaned the battery terminals & made sure connections were tight... But did find a dodgy earth strap from the battery which i fixed... Had no problems since... see here! http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... +detective

[planet Bongo]

I assume the aircons like most other cars?
If so you have an extra fan that comes on with the aircon to assist cooling the AC radiator, if this isnt comming on then thats the problem the AC rad is getting hot and heating the engine cooling radiator as the fan isnt running.
If you start the engine and switch the air con on can you hear another fan start?, I cant test this on my as mine dosnt work due to a leak

Your assumption is correct Winchman, the secondary fan will kick in once you hit the A/C, the probleme I had was the extra fan wasent doing the job, now I can hear it and the gauge is stable

thank you guys, you are wonderful

M