Bongo loses water

[stefanovic]

Just when I thought all was well with the Bongo I break down.

Driving home at -2 degrees last night and heard a loud bubbling noise.

Pulled in turned off ther engine and the boiling fluid sound continued.

Called breakdown and upon inspection turns out the waters disappeared.

Oil level is OK, though fair amount of oil on a hose at the bottom of vehicle.

This morning called Ian at Bongo Towers who was most helpful. After a little digging unearthed a local garage who claim to have some knowledge of Bongo.

Put some water in the vehicle and the bubbling noise and slight knowcking started again. Turned engine off immediately and found all the water had gone.

Told it may be the head gasket, split hose or radiator. Can't see any visible signs of water leaking.

Anyway Brittamnia rescuer kindly sent a truck round to tke the Bong down to the garage.

Any one got any suggestions on how I may proceed with the garage so they don't try and take me for a ride. I'd also like to establish they are capable of doing the job. Any useful thoughts welcome.

Stefanovic

[antique]

hi did any body bleed the system ?

[Veg_Ian]

get a new pair of glasses for a start. that font's a bit loud.

[crazy uncle gray g]

Stefanovic, I`m very sorry to hear about the problems with your Bongo, at least now you have been pointed (hopefully) in the right direction, to that of a members reccomended garage.(that`s all Ian can do)The best advice I can give you now is this
Let the garage know your reasons for chosing them over others, and mention perhaps you have posted your concerns on the forum and that all Bongo club members and enthusiasts are keeping an eye on and hoping for a successful outcome.
This I feel just may make your mechanic a tad more diligent than normal in dealing with you and your Bongo.
Remember there`s strength in numbers and he could get much more work in the future if the jobs a good un.

[dandywarhol]

Any decent garage will have a cooling system pressure tester and should know how to use it.
By pressurising the full expansion tank, there should be a noticeable loss of coolant from around the engine bay or carpets in the front footwell (heater matrix blown) or around the mid right underside (rear matrix blown)
If none of these then a blown head gasket should be suspected - again, with the pressure tester connected to the filled expansion tank and the engine running the pressure gauge should NOT rise rapidly - if it does then the engine compression pressure is escaping past the faulty head gasket/cracked head to the cooling system.

Good luck.............

[Peg leg Pete]

You could also get your radiator cap checked, mine was leaking a small amount of water, and also your coolant quality and radiator for good flow

[bigdaddycain]

Sound advise crazy and dandy The worse case scenario is if the cylinder head has gone. When you checked the oil, was there any sign of a mayonaise type substance on the bottom of the oil cap or on the end of the dipstick? If so that would be congealed water trying to mix with the oil. A lot of garages now have a chemical tester that they submerge in the header tank, if the fluid in the tester turns blue, then there is traces of oil in the water, a sure fire sign that the cylinder head gasket has gone i,m afraid Keep us all posted?