Overheating??

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Stevievee
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Re: Overheating??

Post by Stevievee » Mon May 17, 2021 12:52 pm

WestyK wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 12:33 pm I see a lot of people worried about the performance.

While its not going to win any races its quick enough to keep up with normal traffic.
I think the biggest issue with the Diesel is it revs a bit to high rather than using the tuque of the engine. Sometime just lifting of the gas slightly so it changes up has it accelerating faster..
Of course that wont work on hills. :?

I regally drive mine at 70 on the motorway and it has a bit in reserve when needed. in fact I think at about 2700 - 2800 revs its seems to hit a sweet spot and is quieter.

I also happily tow a race car on a trailer (probably about 1000kgs all up) at 60 and 70 on the motorway. its at slower speeds, up hills and on A roads when doing 40 and 50 where you have to work it a bit.

Back to your temperature.
Mine runs between 90 and 93 but will go up when going up a long hill or in traffic on a hot day.
Alarm on mine was set to 100 but have changed it to 105 now as it did hit 100 occasionally.
It dose sound like you maybe needs a system flush or maybe a new rad but it doesn't sound critical. 100 is where I start to get worried but in reality with a pressured system its going to be higher than than when it boils.

Ian
Thanks, I’m hoping it’s not critical. Ordered a new thermostat from Bongoland and will be having that installed Thursday. As he is doing that, therefore having to have the system bled and refilled will also be reassuring.

I was concerned about how long it has been getting hot like this, but everything else seems fine, no milky residue in oil cap, coolant a nice colour, hasn’t been smoking... hopefully nothing major has gone pop!!

Bongo’s, a constant worry!
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Re: Overheating??

Post by Bob » Mon May 17, 2021 1:16 pm

Since you're doing that work make sure it back flushed. :wink:
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Stevievee
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Re: Overheating??

Post by Stevievee » Mon May 17, 2021 1:21 pm

Bob wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 1:16 pm Since you're doing that work make sure it back flushed. :wink:
It that easy for them to do? I am going to a Bongo friendly garage, but not Bongo ‘specialist’.
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haydn callow
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Re: Overheating??

Post by haydn callow » Mon May 17, 2021 1:23 pm

As above....if they are changing the coolant make sure they also flush back by disconnecting one of the rear heater hoses, back flush the rear heater and back flush the main rad. It will take 30 mins longer to do a proper job but money well spent.....refill with 30% blue antifreeze. If you use Red it will cause temporary false alarms to the low coolant alarm.....assuming you have one fitted.....
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
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Stevievee
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Re: Overheating??

Post by Stevievee » Mon May 17, 2021 1:36 pm

haydn callow wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 1:23 pm As above....if they are changing the coolant make sure they also flush back by disconnecting one of the rear heater hoses, back flush the rear heater and back flush the main rad. It will take 30 mins longer to do a proper job but money well spent.....refill with 30% blue antifreeze. If you use Red it will cause temporary false alarms to the low coolant alarm.....assuming you have one fitted.....
I do have an alarm. I’ll make sure I let him know that, it has red in it now.

Do you think it sounds feasible re the thermostat being the issue?
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haydn callow
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Re: Overheating??

Post by haydn callow » Mon May 17, 2021 1:38 pm

It’s only New Red antifreeze that temporarily confuses the alarm.....all good after about a month
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
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Stevievee
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Re: Overheating??

Post by Stevievee » Mon May 17, 2021 3:10 pm

And my other question, do you guys think this could be something as simple as the thermostat? Do the symptoms match up to the diagnosis?
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haydn callow
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Re: Overheating??

Post by haydn callow » Mon May 17, 2021 3:19 pm

Could be but the thermostat on a diesel bongo may not open on a gentle long journey. When bleeding it can normally be plus 40 mins to open when really forcing it. I once checked about 20 bongos arriving at the bash after they had been on the road for hours, most bottom hoses were just warm,
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
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Stevievee
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Re: Overheating??

Post by Stevievee » Mon May 17, 2021 3:37 pm

haydn callow wrote: Mon May 17, 2021 3:19 pm Could be but the thermostat on a diesel bongo may not open on a gentle long journey. When bleeding it can normally be plus 40 mins to open when really forcing it. I once checked about 20 bongos arriving at the bash after they had been on the road for hours, most bottom hoses were just warm,
So you’re saying that the 20 minute drive I did should not have got the engine up to the temperature for the stat to open anyway?

I’m having nightmares about it being the head that’s gone. Would a garage be able to check this quite easily and diagnose it, if this was the case. Sorry for my limited knowledge, I really know nothing about vehicle mechanics!
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haydn callow
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Re: Overheating??

Post by haydn callow » Mon May 17, 2021 5:17 pm

Calm down, 🤡🤡 you said in a pm that the temp gauge sensor was not in exactly the same position as recommended....that could make a distance......I remember one guy who put it on a exhaust bolt and wondered why his alarm kept going off. 20 mins will not get your stat open unless you are flogging it up a steep hill. First ensure your sensor is in the correct recommended position......
Your temp should be about 90 cruising along at about 65mph, expect it to go up to 100 when working hard......then if you stop heat soak will get it to 105........set the alarm to 105 and see how it goes...
Start worrying if you see 110 or the Bongo gauge moves off 11 0’clock.
Chill out and enjoy your bongo
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
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Stevievee
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Re: Overheating??

Post by Stevievee » Mon May 17, 2021 6:20 pm

Screenshot_20210517-181756.png
This is where I put the sensor, right place, opened the cover at back of engine, between the front seats. It just looked different to the photo you sent?
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Stevievee
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Re: Overheating??

Post by Stevievee » Mon May 17, 2021 6:24 pm

Catastrophizing- A person who catastrophizes usually sees an unfavorable outcome to an event and then decides that if this outcome does happen, the results will be a disaster... Pretty good definition of me!! :lol:
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Re: Overheating??

Post by teenmal » Mon May 17, 2021 10:08 pm

HI Stevie, I think you have got a wee bit mixed up, its the inspection plate at the back of the engine (flywheel) that you probably need to take of .
Go in the sliding door ..
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haydn callow
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Re: Overheating??

Post by haydn callow » Tue May 18, 2021 7:55 am

Well spotted .......you must go behind the front seats and remove the carpet from the back of the engine ‘hump’ you will find a inspection cover....remove all the bolts and you will find the correct boot hole.......you have it a very hot position at the moment.....problem solved I reckon...thanks Teenmal !
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
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Also BMW Clocks
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Stevievee
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Re: Overheating??

Post by Stevievee » Tue May 18, 2021 8:23 am

PXL_20210516_084015219~2.jpg
In here...
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