help me im leaking!

[neil_1979]

Opened up my passenger side engine bay today and found this.....

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b198/ ... 030507.jpg

Looks like there is a leak at the engine end of my bleed pipe. Do I just replace this bleed pipe or will the whole system need bleeding now?

Im a new bongo owner, only picked it up last week and so have been checking coolant levels before each use just to reassure myself that its not loosing any before I get an alarm fitted. I havent noticed the level drop yet but I guess I might not notice a small amount with the lollipop stick method.

One thing I have been noticing is that theres a lot of sediment in the coolant, Is this normal or should I just replace all the coolant anyway?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Neil

[neil_1979]

Heres the photo...

[missfixit70]

Proper chemical flush called for if it's got sediment in it IMO. If you replace the bleed hose, you gotta bleed it anyway really. Get all your other hoses checked properly, they're all the same age, this one may help - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... it=pinhole
Are your heaters working? If the level isn't droppping & you got a leak, you could have an airlock, I'd be wary of driving it until it's fixed, could end up with an expensive bill.
May be worth investing in Low coolant alarm, temp gauge sensitising mod/Mason alarm & maybe one of the temp monitor/alarm/displays to give you an actual temperature.

[mister munkey]

Bleed pipe needs sorting ASAP, it ain't going to do you any favours running it like that.

Sediment wise, what do you mean exactly? Many many Bongos have a brownish hue to the header tank, it doesn't mean theres anything wrong . . . .

[neil_1979]

Thanks for the quick replies! Ive just been looking at the bleeding procedure in the members area and I think it may be a bit beyond my level of competence and too critical for me to have a go at in case I get it wrong. Ive got a 6 month warranty with the Bongo so looks like Im going to need to find a bongo friendly garage near Milton Keynes.

The sediment I noticed was sort of yellow flecks in the water/antifreeze, Im guessing like congealed antifreeze maybe? not like dirt or grit. I thought it was probably normal in any coolant system more than a few years old, but I guess if I need to get the system bled its easy to flush it all through.

[missfixit70]

Get it emptied & flushed REEAAALLY thoroughly, sounds like there may be a bit of incompatible coolant mixing going on there. Not worth the risk, especially if it's under warranty, at least then you know it's clean, get a new Mazda original stat in there while you're at it.

[haydn callow]

Sounds like it may have mixed coolants in there...Not good....my advice.....dont't drive it anywhere until.
The hose is repaired and all other suspect hoses replaced (big one under drivers seat)
Get it properly flushed out with chemical treatment.
Then refilled with universal coolant.
AND MOST IMPORTANT....get it done by someone who has done Bongo's loads of times and properly bled....(take the instructions with you.)

A Bongo with that damage (it has been there some time) should not have been sold.......what else did they not do ???

[Northern Bongolow]

hi
is the bongo diesel,or petrol?
you state that your not loosing water in your opinoin,
could it be not in fact a water leak,but emulsified oil leaking from the poor fitting/loose cap running down on to pipes below?
just a thought.

[missfixit70]

That's a diesel from the pic, certainly a wierd colour, could be right on the emulsified oil, hope you're not though

[mikeonb4c]

A Bongo with that damage (it has been there some time) should not have been sold.......what else did they not do ???

I tend to agree. Its a bit worrying all this. There's the possibily that the radiator matrix may be clogged in a system with symptoms like that. Apart from requiring a satisfactory explanation form the dealer as to why they didn't do a presales inspection that should be basic stuff for them, I'd be inclined to fit a TM2 alarm to a Bongo like that in order to find out sooner rather than later whether it is running hot.

Sorry to add to the pessimism but I reckon its better said than not said. It can all be got right but I don't think you should be paying for it.

Good luck - keep us posted.

[Northern Bongolow]

not been under a petrol so not sure,but good oil leaking out of the cap could be cooking on the hot pipes undeneath,check cap seal etc.

[helen&tony]

Hi
I would get it shipped back to where you bought it on a truck, and get them to sort it under guarantee.
I agree that looks like the emulsified oil sometimes found under an oil cap in a goosed engine, but....look at the T-piece where it enters the block....there's corrosion round it....also, the pattern round the yellowish dribble under the oil cap is a brown stain indicative of the upward spray -pattern on a leaking hose/ T-piece....My thought is that it has had a leak, and someone put a whole lot of leak-stopper in there, and that is what has congealed and cooked everywhere....and almost certainly screwed the rad up in the process....I hope they can fix it for you, and agree with not driving anywhere.
Cheers
Helen

[Northern Bongolow]

on reflection i tend to agree with you helen,maybe a pin hole that has been (sealed) then its all gone wrong maybe cooking the engine/oils/coolant, the coolant was described as strange though.my mum always played hell when i picked my scabs off ,but this one i would certainly pick,then preasure test.

[Mountain]

Hi Neil,

You didn't buy this from the same W r that I did did you?

I got sold one with a completely knackered and badly maintained cooling system. I expect like me...
a) You do not have x-ray vision so can't see inside pipes.
b) Wasn't aware of Bongo cooling issues when you bought it.
c) Everything else seemed fine....for a few days

I bought my Bongo around a month ago and have had around 4 days without a leak in total I've spent a lot of money as I ended up with the head gasket blowing (due to poorly maintained cooling system). I have had a very steep learning curve which is all down to the bloke that sold it to me with at least 2 leaks.

My advice. Just bite the bullet and get the system flushed and all the hoses replaced. Get it bled properly by a mechanic that knows Bongos.

Also, keep an eye on your heater. If it blows cold when it's supposed to be hot, stop and don't drive it.

Anyone fancy joining a lynch mob for those people that sell on a Bongo with cooling problems?

[helen&tony]

Hi Ady
That's what it looks like to me, especially with the sediment described...probably "precipitation" from the sealant additive....My personal viewpoint would be to flush it with the old rad in position, take the rad off, and heater pipes to rear, and remove the stat, and blast it through with a garden hose, replace stat, fit new hoses as appropriate, replace the bleed pipe T-piece, fit new radiator and hope for the best.....but the chances of getting that done under guarantee????....get as much done and do the rest yourself.....It's my bet that the system is severely sludged....in the years I've been driving, I've only seen that type of thing once!
Cheers
Helen