Norma...Constant pressure hose clamps

[missfixit70]

Bear in mind my bongo managed plenty of mountain climbing (well loaded with a backbox & 30-40 degree temps for a lot of it) with all the silicon hoses installed last year - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... an#p308031 - no leaks, no overheating, no worries.
It was only this last winter the problems started. Whether it was a time factor or a temperature factor, I don't know, but the fact that so many people had similar weeping issues......

[Bin Bongoed]

Bear in mind my bongo managed plenty of mountain climbing (well loaded with a backbox & 30-40 degree temps for a lot of it) with all the silicon hoses installed last year - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... an#p308031 - no leaks, no overheating, no worries.
It was only this last winter the problems started. Whether it was a time factor or a temperature factor, I don't know, but the fact that so many people had similar weeping issues......

I've just had 2 months touring in France, much of it done in mountains, and had silicone hoses fitted just before I went. On the first trip, in June, I had no problems whatsoever with leakage, did not even need to top up. But after a few days parked after I returned, checked the water and had to top up quite a lot, about a quarter or third of a litre, which seemed very odd, as no running was done.

So for the second month trip in July, I fitted one of Haydn's little cube digital temperature alarms, so I could see what was going on. Temperatures in S France both times were usually quite high, in July we had days in the high 30s. We were up and down mountains, some very high passes of more than 2000 metres. The digital gauge was often in the mid 90s, and when we stopped without ignition/fans on, it could run up into the 100s. Quite concerning the first time it happened. But I only topped up a couple of times, and then just for safety. This time I checked immediately I got back, no need to top up, but will check again in a few days of standing, to see if the same thing recurs. But no major leaks, and when you think of the high temps, high altitudes, that was impressive.

Temps in England were much lower, about 83-87, not even threatening the alarm.

One other incidental issue was the temperature inside the Bongo, even with the AC on, I don't think I've ever been so hot. The AC was cooling our feet, but sun beating in thru the front windows was horrendous, and easily defeating the AC. That and the heat from the engine block, we were well cooked. Any ideas on better insulation under the carpets around the engine?

[nfn]

If the heat from the engine and sun is defeating the AC, perhaps your Bongo's AC needs servicing/charging? I've found the bongo's AC to be quite effective, although if it's hot out with very little humidity no AC works well in those conditions: I lived in New Mexico for 7 years -- very dry and hot in summer, and even a powerful car AC took a long while to cool the car.

[Bin Bongoed]

If the heat from the engine and sun is defeating the AC, perhaps your Bongo's AC needs servicing/charging? I've found the bongo's AC to be quite effective, although if it's hot out with very little humidity no AC works well in those conditions: I lived in New Mexico for 7 years -- very dry and hot in summer, and even a powerful car AC took a long while to cool the car.

We are talking very high outside temps, with lots of incoming sun. The van is converted, and the rear ac is buried behind the kitchen units/fridge, but not isolated. This has not been a problem in England, so I expected it to be OK in the South of France, but this proved not to be the case. It just cannot cope. Also, the residual heat when you stop, means that the temperature inside the van remains high for some time. We put the awning out, and heat still rises from underneath the van for some time, and also at the rear. You can also feel the heat from the engine in the cabin while travelling. Again, not so noticeable in the UK.

[missfixit70]

Check the clips that hold the seat down are completely tight, just about ever bongo I've opebned up has had loose clips as they stretch out with the tension & vibration, I'm sure someone in that past added extra insualtion under the seats, don't see that it'd be too hard to fix a layer uf metalised bubble wrap type insulation, just make sure the scavenge fan sensor isn't covered over.
If you haven't had your ac topped up since you got it, I'd definitely recommend getting it done, even the newest/tightest of systems loses gas over time, you'd be surprised how much difference it can make.
950g of R134a refrigerant & 14 mg of PAG 46 oil if you get it done properly & sucked out & refilled, you should be able to get it done for under £50 from a proper place, or get a can of top up/leak sealer from Halfrauds for @£50.
Also it's a good idea to get in the habit of putting your silver screen in the windscreen if you stop, even if it's just for half an hour, even on a sunny day in this country, really helps keep the temperature down.
Keep a real good eye on that coolant loss, try & find where it's going.

[missfixit70]

So for the second month trip in July, I fitted one of Haydn's little cube digital temperature alarms, so I could see what was going on. Temperatures in S France both times were usually quite high, in July we had days in the high 30s. We were up and down mountains, some very high passes of more than 2000 metres. The digital gauge was often in the mid 90s, and when we stopped without ignition/fans on, it could run up into the 100s. Quite concerning the first time it happened. But I only topped up a couple of times, and then just for safety. This time I checked immediately I got back, no need to top up, but will check again in a few days of standing, to see if the same thing recurs. But no major leaks, and when you think of the high temps, high altitudes, that was impressive.

Temps in England were much lower, about 83-87, not even threatening the alarm.

Where is the sensor mounted? When you say it reached up to the 100s with ignition/fans off, do you mean just after a hard run? If so it sounds like you're shutting the engine off too early, or the stat/rad/fans are struggling to do their job properly. Best to let the engine run after a hard mountain run, fans should be on, it'll cool a bit quicker if you apply @2000 rpm as it's pumping the coolant around quicker, should drop back down into the 80's.
When you topped it up, had the level dropped? It's pointless filling it above the full line (when cold, slightly above when warm), putting more coolant in doesn't make it work better
you say no major leaks, but if it's got minor leaks, it means its possibly not holding pressure like it should, this could mean that your boiling point is lower than it should be, not a good state of affairs when it's running above 100 degrees. I suspect this may have led to/contributed to the failure of my head. definitely not something to stick your head in the sand about IMO.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Aircon...we get temperatures of 40 plus over here...aircon copes fine...better since I cleaned the moths and muck out of the matrix behind the fan unit...It's really worth pulling the fan unit out...as Kirsty said recently.
In the upper 30s...I only find the water temp. around 95 barelling up a long hill with a load on, and the TM2 registering 92 maximum on the head over the water outlet....
Cheers
Helen

[Ron Miel]

Bear in mind my bongo managed plenty of mountain climbing (well loaded with a backbox & 30-40 degree temps for a lot of it) with all the silicon hoses installed last year - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... an#p308031 - no leaks, no overheating, no worries.
It was only this last winter the problems started. Whether it was a time factor or a temperature factor, I don't know, but the fact that so many people had similar weeping issues......

Thanks for the reminder Kirsty. It did seem though, from what I read, that nobody had yet gone the whole hog and tried silicone hoses with turbo-pressure grade constant pressure clamps. As I already had the hoses pugged away, I thought it was therefore still worth a try, although I shall be watching it like a hawk (and there's UV tracer dye installed!), particularly in the coming winter. First sign of problems, and they'll be replaced, although I still hope there won't be any. Peeps who haven't already bought silicone, are welcome to PM me for any update before committing - and I will report here, as time goes on. Cheers, David

[haydn callow]

I now have a stock of Norma Clamps which at the moment are only available to "paid up" forum members......3 sizes
12 to 20mm
20 to 32mm
32 t0 50mm

I'm afraid the customs/parcel force fees came to £60

that means that the clamps (all the same price for ease of accounting) will be £2.35 each.
working on a average order of 10 clamps I will charge £3 p&p per order....

orders can be taken over the phone 01458 270230 with card payment
or by PayPal to [email protected]
If I don't know you I will need your Fury membership No.

Over to you.

If the takeup is not viable I will list them in my shop at a relistic price......

The price I am charging members just covers my costs....if there is any profit at the end I will put it in the charity box.

[Ron Miel]

Good on you Haydn. I have a gut feeling that we will be OK with silicone hoses, if we use the right clamps. The upside of silicone (durability, no rubber perishing issue...) would be good for us all, and for the future of "Bongo", if so.

[haydn callow]

So far the uptake on the clamps has been good....I have quite a few left and have ordered some more.....at the moment supply is not a problem.

[haydn callow]

Just put together what we think is a FULL set of clamps for a forum member.
32 clamps in 3 sizes
Total cost inc P&P = £80

[missfixit70]

17 hoses = 34 clips doesn't it?

[haydn callow]

quite right 34
so £85