cooling problems

[fordmill]

Can anyone give me some advice? I have just purchased a Freda and don't think its but over heating (temp gauge only went just over half way) but rear heater pipe has slight leak, burbles from header tank and interior heater blows cold but every now and again it blows hot for about 20 sec then goes cold again. Can anyone give me advice please.

Fordmill

[Bob]

Oh dear.

First thing - Don't Drive It, if it's a 'Dealer Sale' send it back there.

Do you have the diesel engine?

If so overheating is potentialy very serious and can quickly lead to a cracked head.

If you are a pretty handy DiY type then find (and fix) the leak then search You Tube for something like 'bleeding a Mazda Bongo' and follow the instructions.

If you're not a decent home mechanic then I'd suggest recovery to a Bongo Friendly garage, if you give us a rough location someone will likely know of one near you.

This is less serious with the petrol engines.

Good luck, sorry your first post is bad news.

[fordmill]

cheers Bob, I think am capable of fixing leak, what's got me baffled is that its not over heating on gauge. am in liverpool

[Bob]

The gauge is heavily damped and not that useful.

By the time it goes up to the 11 0'Clock position often it's too late.

A little way off, but Wheelquick, in Wigan are experts, and the bleed process is vital on the diesel and V6.

[fordmill]

any ideas on the bleed procedure ?

[Bob]

The videos I suggested.

[fordmill]

Bob, what's it like to do a cylinder head gasket on a 2.5 diesel ?

[Bob]

I've never done it, but if you try out the 'search' facility on here there's lots of info.

It's rarely just the gasket, though, so make certain the head is good before re-fitting.

[fordmill]

quick one bob, ive watched the videos regarding bleeding the system, I think ive bled the system, got the interior heater blowing warm, but bottom hose cold, I had to leave work so never ran it for to long, with the heater being warm do you think its fully bled? don't thick I ran it long enough to open thermostat any ideas ?

[Bob]

The only answer is do it again.

[fordmill]

I now understand that a bongo/Freda is a complex machine but is what I am thinking correct with normal vehicles if the interior heater is starting blow warm air the there in no air locks in the system ? and I just need to wait that bit longer for the stat to open which should complete the flow making the bottom hose warm up or am I miles away ? I thought the japs were cleaver ? obliviously not on this occasion

[fordmill]

I must thank you bob with ur continued replies, I have been on a number of forums in the past having hundreds of members but nobody seem to want to give their contribution. either they have no idea or just scared to pass on their knowledge if they have any

[Bob]

You need to get the 'stat open during bleeding, ie bottom hose hot.

If you don't you won't clear the air lock and it will overheat and goose the head, as above.

[fordmill]

Hi Bob, yes I know about the stat being open. I've done the bleed procedure with engine running the interior heater is getting nice and warm, I just need to leave it running until normal operating temp now don't I? I thought with the heater being warm it was bled ok or is this not the case ?

[Bob]

There's honestly nothing I can add here.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.