Heating not working, temp gauge goes to H then works???

[BongoJon]

Hi,
My heating is not working, temp gauge goes to H then works and temp gauge goes to usual midille position. It takes about 20 mins for this to happen. Any ideas or help would be great.
Cheers,
John

[francophile1947]

No heater equals air in the cooling system. Don't use it until it's been bled properly, then check for how air got in. Has the coolant level gone down at all?

[jaylee]

Do you have a Mason alarm fitted???

[The Great Pretender]

Hi,
My heating is not working, temp gauge goes to H then works and temp gauge goes to usual midille position. It takes about 20 mins for this to happen. Any ideas or help would be great.
Cheers,
John

Get it booked in at Wheelquick. Ask them to do a check for leaks and if ok a flush and new coolant. I'm assuming that your not mechanically minded as your worry is about the Bongo not warming your pinkies...............

[mikexgough]

As TGP says..... Wheelquick for a look see...... sounds air in the system to me, could be part frozen too..... just some thoughts.....

[mikeonb4c]

No heater equals air in the cooling system. Don't use it until it's been bled properly, then check for how air got in. Has the coolant level gone down at all?

2nd that - don't drive, esp. for any length of time (you might get away with short trips before engine has got up to temp I guess)

[BongoJon]

Does not sound good. I forgot to mention that there seems to be a clicking noise now and then too like a relay latching. Have not noticed it before so assume it is part of the problem. Any thoughts?
Thanks for advice so far.
BongoJon

[wonkanoby]

where from

under bonnet might be relay

engine could be water pump

mine clicked before it blew up and shed the rest of its blades

but it shed 2 at least before and they made a click

[mikeonb4c]

Does not sound good. I forgot to mention that there seems to be a clicking noise now and then too like a relay latching. Have not noticed it before so assume it is part of the problem. Any thoughts?
Thanks for advice so far.
BongoJon

Unless you are confident about bleeding it yourself I'd go with the advice above and get it to Wheelquick in Wigan. Not too far off. They know Bongos 200%, won't fleece you and will give it to you straight. They are very busy so bear that in mind. Good luck

Ps - incidentally have you checked that the coolant level is where it should be in the expansion tank i.e. not low? Mind you if its got low you will have air in the system anyway which is a no-no

Not sure what the clicking relay is - might be fans kicking in to cool the engine.

[mikexgough]

about not sure about a relay latching - best off at Wheelquick....
Just so your aware.....http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=35902 should give you an insight of "How the Cooling System works" but is is a little Techie.....

in simple terms........The Bongo Cooling system is of the "bypass" type where the coolant circulates around the engine and heaters.....until the Thermostat opens and introduces some coolant from the radiator....this coolant is almost cold, just slightly warmer than luke warm........and the Thermostat controls how much gets through to mix with the engine coolant so as not to cool it too fast....... that is it in very simple terms

Hence why when you said your heater was cold.....it was likely that there was air in your system or it was partly frozen....ideally the coolant should be checked for concentration in the autumn and really it would be best to have 40-50% antifreeze-coolant/water mix for protection of the system.
There are warning devices for the temperature and level side of things but the only way you can effectively protect your engine is to check your coolant manually as visually inspect your pipes and hoses (if your ability lends you too) No gadget on the market can protect your engine only warn you if your coolant/engine is getting hot and if you are losing any coolant - nothing is bullet proof though

[BongoJon]

Spoke to Mike (what a nice chap) at wheelquick and he has told me how to refill/bleed system and then to check for any obvious leaks. Coolant is bone dry. If I cannot find it then he will have to come get the bongo as he said it cannot be driven. So I will be doing that tommorrow whan I get back from work.

Cheers for advice.

BongoJon

[mikeonb4c]

Spoke to Mike (what a nice chap) at wheelquick and he has told me how to refill/bleed system and then to check for any obvious leaks. Coolant is bone dry. If I cannot find it then he will have to come get the bongo as he said it cannot be driven. So I will be doing that tommorrow whan I get back from work.

Cheers for advice.

BongoJon

Goodo - fingers crossed that no damage has been done

[BongoJon]

Hi,

Following Mikes(from wheelquick) advice I ran the bongo on two short 1km trips and let water out filler cap both time then topped up. Both time tank was full after short run. Left overnight to see if leaks when cold. Looked this morning and there is about an inch gone but still water in there. Not sure if this is normal as engine was hot when last topped up level. I have put the inch back in so its about level with full mark, maybe a little below. Going to take it for a slightly longer run of 3km or so and see what its like.

Mike has been a superstar talking me through what to do over the phone. When I am sure it can make the trip I shall take it in for him to check over properly.

Any thoughts on water level going down an inch over night?

Cheers,
John

[mikexgough]

my only thoughts on the inch overnight drop..........is....... that it is usual when the system is cold after a successful bleed.....top it up and I would allow to idle until the gauge needle is to your normal reading then if okay give it a run but watch the gauge and listen to your engine too.......the full header tank could be air that was still in the system.....

[stilldesperate]

That's normal, John.

All who bleed their own know to check the next morning.

Well done for sticking with it - any news about the clicking?

SD