Bongo Fury

I have been living in fear of this moment ever since getting the Bongo and now it's happened!

The coolant level is fine - no leaks at all. However, after approx 30 minutes normal driving, the fan comes on and things smell hot. Needle has moved to the middle of the temp gauge.

Also, recently there has been a whine from the engine on acceleration. So I'm thinking that the water pump has failed. Does this sound likely, given the symptoms?

And fluid in the coolant tank is now clear (used to be blue). As antifreeze is denser than water, I'm thinking all the antifreeze has collected in the bottom pipes and the water at the top. Which would mean water pump is not pumping coolant around the system.

Might have answered my own question now and have ordered a new water pump from BF shop! Will update this topic when I have fitted the new pump.

I've never heard of the anti freeze and water separating even when a vehicle has been left unused for many months. With the expansion tank cap off, when you rev the engine youn should see the level rise and fall as the circulation increases. You mention the gauge has moved to the middle: what does it normally run at?

Thanks for your reply.

The temp gauge normally sits at about 11 O'clock.

The coolant level does rise once the engine is hot, but this is probably expansion. I will check it with the cap off in the morning and see what happens.

Thanks again.

I'm in Eastleigh during the day, so if you're not too far away and would a second pair of eyes, drop me a message.

maybe do a pressure test on the system.

a leaking pipe or rad etc may let air into the system, this may form an airlock which may stop coolant flow, this may collect near the water pump, letting it run in a dry state, or the pump has gone letting air in.
have the heaters gone cool, or cooler than usual.

Simon - thanks ever so much for the offer. I'll see how I get on. Approx 50 mins away from Eastleigh!

Northern Bongolow - The heater runs normally and no problem getting hot air through - much hotter than usual! However, even when on cool, I can feel the heat of the engine through the Bongo floor.

Cap off and revving the engine - the coolant doesn't move.

Simon Jones wrote:I've never heard of the anti freeze and water separating even when a vehicle has been left unused for many months. With the expansion tank cap off, when you rev the engine youn should see the level rise and fall as the circulation increases. You mention the gauge has moved to the middle: what does it normally run at?

I'm very interested in this tip, as I've long wondered how it might be possible to diagnose poor coolant circulation due to a failing water pump. Being realistic, how common is it for the water pump to suffer critical loss of pumping ability as provided the system is well serviced and clean, then its hard to think what could cause it to happen.

Top hose to the radiator gets very hot. Bottom hose is stone cold.

Hi,has the thermostat been checked.?

Just took it for a 20 minute trip out. Heard the fan kick in so felt the bottom hose and this is now very warm, so I guess that means the thermostat is working? I'm still suspecting the water pump (engine whine), or blockage in the pipes somewhere restricting flow. The coolant is now smelling of dead fish!

ThisIsTheSea wrote:Just took it for a 20 minute trip out. Heard the fan kick in so felt the bottom hose and this is now very warm, so I guess that means the thermostat is working? I'm still suspecting the water pump (engine whine), or blockage in the pipes somewhere restricting flow. The coolant is now smelling of dead fish!

Hi,it might be working but could be a lazy worker,its always worth checking the stat especialy if you think the system has overheated.

Ok, thank you for the tips.

Any idea where I would find the thermostat on a V6? If I follow the top large bore radiator hose along to the top of the engine - is it there?

Follow the bottom hose,its an A from E system.


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