Bongo Fury

30 minutes ago just outside my place I smell antifreeze see steam coming from the rear of my Diesel Bongo.
Park outside my place and water is pouring what seems like the middle of the Bongo. I lift the bonnet no water or steam. It's too hot to look at now and I am off to work. So much water came out seems it would be a hose however in the middle of the van? Would appreciate any comments on what to look for.
Robert.

Check all metal pipes and hoses leading to the rear aircon unit. Also check the rear heater matrix. Do not drive vehicle until source of leak has been identified.

Faribaandme wrote:30 minutes ago just outside my place I smell antifreeze see steam coming from the rear of my Diesel Bongo.
Park outside my place and water is pouring what seems like the middle of the Bongo. I lift the bonnet no water or steam. It's too hot to look at now and I am off to work. So much water came out seems it would be a hose however in the middle of the van? Would appreciate any comments on what to look for.
Robert.

A likely candidate is the plumbing around the rear heater unit. In particular, the steel pipe is prone to rusting from the outside and letting go around the T-section. I doubt you'll be able to drive it as coolant will have gone below header tank level. Cheap fix is cutting out rusted pipe around t-piece and fitting a plastic T-piece, joined to metal pipe ends with rubber hose and jubilee clips. I opted for a whole new pipe, which costs esp. when labour is factored in as its a bit of a job to do. But I like things done properly

Then again, it might not be that at all! How old is the Bongo? Good luck and keep us posted.

P.S. there is another metal pipe (for the autobox?) around there as well. So if having the job done, ask for that to be checked also plus condition of rubber hoses around the area, as this will be the best time to do them if in doubt. Since the rear heater will have emptied, diligent bleeding is especially important. There's a drain cock around there and it might be best to ask that when they first fill with coolant and before start the engine for bleeding procedure, the stopcock be opened (and new coolant caught and put back in the system - waste not want not!) and a steady stream of coolant observed before stopcock closed and full bleeding procedure commenced. It might just help purge air from that part of the system and it can't do any harm I reckon.

seems you jave a diesel

hose from middle of engine over starter motor often fails

Thank you so much for the wonderful advice. The van is a 96. Put water into the radiator the water poured out the middle of the van. I will check it out tomorrow or see how much it costs to get it towed to local van fixer.

Faribaandme wrote:Thank you so much for the wonderful advice. The van is a 96. Put water into the radiator the water poured out the middle of the van. I will check it out tomorrow or see how much it costs to get it towed to local van fixer.

Pouring does suggest to me a ruptured metal pipe. If it is, I'd expect the middle of the van, on the drivers side, and you'd e able to see it and the ruptured pipe by looking underneath.

Remember an automatic should not generally be towed with any drive wheels turning (I think you're allowed a few miles at < 20 mph but no doubt someone on here will advise). In practice this means a low loader (is much preferred).

It was a hose that blew had a hole under pressure directing water to back of van. The only water that could be seen was in the middle of the van not in the front.
Can't thank you enough for your help.
Ian spent some time and found the correct part.
All set to install put in the antifreeze and bleed out the air.

Faribaandme wrote:It was a hose that blew had a hole under pressure directing water to back of van. The only water that could be seen was in the middle of the van not in the front.
Can't thank you enough for your help.
Ian spent some time and found the correct part.
All set to install put in the antifreeze and bleed out the air.

Goodo. Keep an eye on that metal pipe regardless and keep it protected with anti corrosion treatment as much as possible.

Don't forget the bongo is mid engined so coolant from the centre of the vehicle can be expected if a component or hose fails ( including metal pipes )