Overheating so need to Bleed?

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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notlob
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Overheating so need to Bleed?

Post by notlob » Mon Aug 19, 2013 5:45 pm

Used the Bongo last week for a very nice stay at Allithwaite (Thanks Jo!) and then haven't used it until today.

Only did 4 or 5 miles and then noticed the temp gauge up near the top. When I checked under the bonnet, there was coolant dribbling out of the header tank overflow and the fan had kicked in. Once everything had colled down a bit I had a quick look in the header tank and the level lower than normal but not enough to set off the coolant alarm.

Then had a quick chat with Mick at Wheelquick and he recons an air lock and described how to bleed the system and recommended the you tube video. Having now watched that I come to my question? - how can you do the bleed single-handed as the video shows three people! - one with the funnel, one at the header and one blipping the throttle. Whilst I have eight year old twins around I'm not certain which of the three jobs I'd trust them with!! so its down to me. Hope to take tomorrow afternoon off work to give it a go and if I can sort it will then pop the van over to Wigan for Mick to check it out.

Any advice or alternate bleed methods (are there any) would be gratefully received.

Cheers
Dave

PS Also checked the bottom hose and this is cold whilst the rest of the pipes are still quite hot. Could this be because of the air lock or thermostat failure?
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Northern Bongolow
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Re: Overheating so need to Bleed?

Post by Northern Bongolow » Mon Aug 19, 2013 8:10 pm

pm sent.
notlob
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Re: Overheating so need to Bleed?

Post by notlob » Mon Aug 19, 2013 9:28 pm

Thanks Ady,

Appreciated the chat, will report back.

Dave
Bob
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Re: Overheating so need to Bleed?

Post by Bob » Mon Aug 19, 2013 10:16 pm

Ady is your man. :)
Take a torch, toilet roll, and tea bags.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hcF9JSxkUSE
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dave_aber
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Re: Overheating so need to Bleed?

Post by dave_aber » Mon Aug 19, 2013 10:46 pm

Bungee & clamp to hold the funnel when you need it, stick to rev the throttle, it's a bit of a dance but you can do it single-handed!
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Tony x
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Re: Overheating so need to Bleed?

Post by Tony x » Tue Aug 20, 2013 10:06 pm

Yep, you can do it single handed.
Coolant alarm acts as one person and checks header tank level, stick gaffa taped to the pedal to work the throttle.
Plastic spring clamps (like large clothes pegs and cheap from tool shops) to hold the funnel in place.
Tricky bit is checking the lower hose gets hot but it's quite doable.

When doing something else, I found my 10 year old was fine working the throttle but my 7 year old not so good.
Both have zero mechanical sympathy despite my best efforts to educate them.
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