coolant loss - manifold at head corroded

[jimbobongo]

1st ever posting

Hi guys

I suffered a sudden coolant loss but thankfully as i pulled into my drive so hoping the timing saved my head. It took a bit of doing but i eventually found the source of the leak - a small hole at the rear of the manifold that joins 3 pipes to the front of the head adjacent to the exhaust manifold.
Has anyone experienced this as it looks like a pain to change; dont know if it's pressed in or screwed in?

The damage looks like corrosion from the inside which then questions the rest of the coolant system.

I have only had the Bongo about 5 months and love it, hopefully it loves me a bit too........

Cheers

[wonkanoby]

if you mean the little multiway piece the bleed hose goes on as best im aware it pushes in

im sure some one who has had to swap it over as result of a head change will tell you more

[maxheadroom]

This is the bit you need......

http://www.bongobits.com/Main.asp?PageN ... roduct=213

put mine it the freezer first then tapped it in

[Northern Bongolow]

hi,welcome to the forum.
wheres kirsty and blobber when we need them .its called the cross docking stock.
first thing really is to make sure you need to remove it.can it not be welded in place,or chemical metal repaired etc.
if its got to come out,the word is(not done this myself)that you heat the surrounding head,and get some freeze spray to chill the cross-d-s.
good luck,someone who has done it will be along soon.

[jimbobongo]

Thanks for the replies. I have ordered the manifold and will attempt to change it on Saturday. I considered trying to repair it as Northern Bongolow suggested but due to the corrosion I'm not confident of longevity of a repair job. Fingers crossed it comes out.

If/When it is repaired I intend to look at some low level coolant alarm as I envisage more issues with some of the other steel sections, I think it has been run for some time with no corrosion inhibitor, any suggestions on the best variety?

Ching ching the noo

[Northern Bongolow]

any of the 5 year red coolants really,long life,and the added bonus of they contain the chemicals that can be picked up with a cheap uv torch,maybe handy if looking for a tiny leak as it will make it a lot easier to trace.
coolant system is approx 14 litres so at 50-50 you will need 2x5litres with some spare for top ups etc.

[jimbobongo]

Hi Guys - a wee update....

Manged to get the Cross-d-s out using Northern bongolows heat head/ cool cross-d-s method, worked a treat but you have to be quick putting some force on it to remove it; the heat from the mass of the head soon warms it up again. I used a couple of pinch bars to exert pressure on both sides to get it to move, its an awkward wee devil to get some purchase on.

Now another question...

Before I fit the new one i see the old one was fitted using what looks like a gold Hermatite type of sealant, the hardening one, did MAXHEADROOM use any when tapping it in? The last thing I need is for it to leak again......

Bye-the-way

Service from Bongobits was superb, ordered at lunchtime delivered next morning

[Northern Bongolow]

dont know for sure about the refitting,but i think a good clean up and a little coat of high temp sealer wouldnt do any harm,but wouldnt use to much as you dont want to roll up the surplus,then it finds its way into the turbo cooling pipe etc.
stick the cross/d/s in the freezer overnight first.