Bongo Fury

Hi , I am visiting family in Glasgow and I have a water leak from the cooling system. The leak appears to be originating from the interface between the thermostat case and the thermostat cover. Does anyone have any experience of this type of leak? Should I try just tightening the bolts, or could there be a problem with the stat inside? Going to the garage tomorrow morning but there but they are unlikely to be bongo literate ! So suggestions for resolution are welcome .

bonog wrote:Hi , I am visiting family in Glasgow and I have a water leak from the cooling system. The leak appears to be originating from the interface between the thermostat case and the thermostat cover. Does anyone have any experience of this type of leak? Should I try just tightening the bolts, or could there be a problem with the stat inside? Going to the garage tomorrow morning but there but they are unlikely to be bongo literate ! So suggestions for resolution are welcome .

Have you recently had a new thermostat fitted? If the answer is yes, then the leak could be because the seal between the two mating faces has not been correctly lined up. There is a small tab on the seal which fits into a recess on the housing.
Alternatively, it could be that the bolts are not quite tight enough as you suggest. The correct torque for these bolts is 19~25Nm.

If you do take it to a garage and they remove the thermostat to take a look, then it will need bleeding properly. There are folk in the Glasgow area who may offer to help you out (take a look) if they see your post.

the 2 bolts are screwed into the top most face from below, these threads have been known to strip out as getting the bolts in straight can be a challenge sometimes. you can drill the upper thread out and fit longer bolts then fit a nut to them to pull the 2 halves together.
if the housing is cracked you can pm me, i have a spare. more likely its leaking from the hose that joins it.

if there is a leak here dont drive it anywhere, get it recovered as air will trap in the head.

widdowson2008 wrote: Have you recently had a new thermostat .

Hi!
No , haven't had any work on stat....

Northern Bongolow wrote:the 2 bolts are screwed into the top most face from below, these threads have been known to strip out as getting the bolts in straight can be a challenge sometimes. you can drill the upper thread out and fit longer bolts then fit a nut to them to pull the 2 halves together.
if the housing is cracked you can pm me, i have a spare. more likely its leaking from the hose that joins it.

if there is a leak here dont drive it anywhere, get it recovered as air will trap in the head.

Hi, thanks for the advice and spares offer. I will look out for a leak from the adjacent hose too....

Hi there I'm in Glasgow which garage r u going too I may be able to help I work in the biggest Mazda/ford dealer in the country .



Cheers Stevie

steviebongo wrote:Hi there I'm in Glasgow which garage r u going too I may be able to help I work in the biggest Mazda/ford dealer in the country .



Cheers Stevie

Garage in Anniesland was suggested but I am on the south side . Could use RAC to take me to a garage to avoid me driving and overheating - I havent called RAC yet...

I am open to garage suggestions based on local knowledge.

You didn't mention how much coolant you were losing. Is it a lot? or just a dribble.
How much do you need to top up and how often?

widdowson2008 wrote:You didn't mention how much coolant you were losing. Is it a lot? or just a dribble.
How much do you need to top up and how often?

It lost about 2litres in 24hrs when standing cold. But I think it will be more rapid when pressurised.

Update....RAC have diagnosed the problem as a cracked stat housing by pressurising the system. Bongo is currently at a Bosch garage in pollokshaws Glasgow while they 'look into it!'. Rang a Masda dealer and new part is probably on back order from Japan. Anyone breaking a bongo and can supply me with one? HELP!

contact this guy george on 07836598528 he will sell you one.
or pm me with your phone number, we can chat.

if its the part that is against the engine you will need a new gasket, if its the bottom bit you wont.

Just as an update....

Got a replacement from George, posted to me, thanks and garage fitted it. the crack was on the main stat container but not on the side connecting to the engine. Garage failed to bleed thew system properly ( as I thought would happen!!) and engine started to overheat after a couple of miles. Bled the system myself and re-tested before hitting the motorway south. Just took it easy speed wise. Everthing was okay and got home last night about one o'clock.

Thanks to everyone for there assistance and support this this one , cheers!