just bought a bongo,teething probs!

[stevieboard3]

Have just bought a 1996 bongo 2.5 td and the previous keeper fitted new rad and altenator.Problem i'm having is every now and then after a short trip the water will bubble over and poor out the top overflow.The temp gauge will be not even half way and the water not particularly hot.Just did it after a 800 metre trip???(Think air lock of some sort!)
Also there seems to be quite a large whistle from the turbo every time you put it under pressure,is this normal or can it be fixed?At first thought was the belts squealing as it had stood for a couple of months.

steve

[Peg leg Pete]

Whistle sound could be a manifold stud broken. I would make sure the coolant system is bled correctly--- most important!!!!!

[stevieboard3]

Hve a print of how to do it from on here but seems to be hell of a job?Is it that hard for some one who not too mechanically minded?

[droodle]

put your location in your profile and someone might be able to help .. i rekon you got an airlock so the coolant needs bleeding .. don't drive it till you've sorted it or you could knacker the engine .. theres a list of bongo friendly garages in the members area .. hopefully your near one.

[stevieboard3]

Will it be o.k to drive if keep check on water/coolant levels as away camping and it's only vehicle we have?

[bongomadness]

I would get whatever is going on looked at..maybe your local bongo friendly garage take it for a quick run and put their finger on it.(my local garage is always happy to oblige). I have just had my coolant lost due to pinhole prick in water heater pipe so am really peeved at moment but have ordered new pipe and replacement hoses for our van. I think it better to be safe than sorry. Bongos are a bit pricey on bits but i seem to keep selling bits ok on ebay that have gone to the bongo repair fund otherwise it would have to stay where it is sat until a later date. I just hope the head has not cracked............otherwise i am gonna have to sell the kids to afford a new one.

[scanner]

Will it be o.k to drive if keep check on water/coolant levels as away camping and it's only vehicle we have?

Sorry but the short answer is no.

Unless you enjoy changing cylinder heads - or enjoy paying for it to be done.

You may well get away with it - you equally may well not. The Bongo cooling system is complicated and very sensitive to being bled properly even some (so called) expert mechanics don't understand how important it is.

There are are number of threads on here from people with overheating problems that start "I thought it would be OK if....................."

[westonwarrior]

Where abouts are you camping?

some local knowledge my be forthcomming

[mister munkey]

Scanner is right.

Previous owner fitted new rad. Possibly not bled correctly after fitting. It is indeed a fiddly process but essential all the same.

50/50 chance that its not a potentialy expensive (new head around £1500) fix.

Only a fool would advise to keep driving it until thorougly sorted.

Suggest sourcing local help ASAP.

[stevieboard3]

Camping in the vale of Glamorgan and not too far from home.My parteners dad is a good mechanic(not professional though) been on the phone to one his friends who works on Mazdas and he explained pretty much identical way you guys have put on the site so going to try bleed it the correct way this afternoon.

[westonwarrior]

the main thing is when bleeding is get it hot so the thermostat opens and this can take 45 min.

the bottom hose will get hot

[widdowson2008]

......after a short trip the water will bubble over and poor out the top overflow.The temp gauge will be not even half way and the water not particularly hot.
steve

I had a top hose change/bleed done recently, the day before a trip to Cornwall and was told to keep an eye on expansion tank level - FREQUENTLY. This I did each time before starting the engine. All went well for a few days until one day, the TM-2 alarm started wailing - loss of coolant. Checked the expansion tank and found that when I had last checked the level, I had not replaced the cap properly. I experienced the same as you - ie: temperature appeared normal (on TM-2) and coolant not particularly hot. Because I stopped immediately when the alarm went off and topped up, I got away with it. Still went and had it checked by Allans Vehicle Services-Plymouth, just to be sure.
May be worth checking your cap is properly fixed first - easy to get it wrong and, apparently, this has been done by far more experienced folk than me.

[Bongo13]

I live near you (hove) and I just bought a bongo as well so Hi stevie. You probably checked this especially as you have a new rad but I had the same prob with a landcruiser and it turned out to be the seal on the radiater cap . Couple of quid for a new cap and all was well. (in between time however I had to put a new cylinder head on ! but thats a different storey) Good luck . Michael

[stevieboard3]

Thanks guys my father in law and i spent two ours yesterday with the funnel and gloves and coolant and there were alot of air bubbles but think we cured it good and proper.There was a little bit of over flow after we test drove but the level was just a little high.This a.m water not budged and now overflow.The father in law did say thought poss also that the cap on the expansion tank may need changing that could cause the overflow? anyone know where can order one?

thanks for all the input much appreciated,an new Bongo loving family!!!

[widdowson2008]

As I posted earlier, a very similar thing happened to me BUT it was my fault for not securing the expansion tank cap.
I overfilled mine (on advice from Allan) - he said the system will dump what it doesn't need and the level will stabilise. Again, Allan was spot on.
Now, I check the level before going anywhere and I have had no further problems.
Sounds as if you may have done the same as me - not put the cap back correctly. Hope so, because this will be a cheap fix.

Incidentally, if you don't have one already, get a low coolant alarm fixed.