No heat, and slightly sluggish

[Jayster]

Hi all,

My poor lil Bongo has been through it of late and the problems just seem to keep mounting. Over these past few weeks it has had to do quite a bit of driving in severe and deep snow, and as the vehicle has been (substantially) lowered, prior to me purchasing it, I've been wary of whether it has caused any damage.

Well, the heater is now not working, the temperature gauge hasn't moved, and it also seems a bit sluggish. I have had the gearbox changed in the past few weeks, so maybe it is linked to this but seeing as this forum always gives such good advice I'm wondering if anyone can help offer me some guidance, not least because, before owning my Bongo, my previous car suffered from the head gasket going, which also had similar symptoms i.e. temp gauge stopped working and there was nothing but cold air. I have recently had the cambelt changed, too.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Jay

[MAZABON]

hi

firstly dont drive it anywhere, do you still have any water in the header tank ?

[Jayster]

It has water in the water tank, or rather, the water tank level is correct. Sorry. I'm not very mechanically minded.

I've driven it into Uni, this morning. You've got me worried now.

[321Away]

Who did the cambelt? i've seen them fitted 1 tooth (easily done,due to lower mark position) out and that causes a power loss. Does the temp guage move at all?
julian

[Jayster]

I've driven about a 1,000 miles since the cambelt was fitted but the slightly sluggish problem is a recent phenomenon.

[Northern Bongolow]

has it got the correct antifreeze mix in there,just thinking it could have partially frozen,and maybe got airlocked.i would get it to a good garage and get them to pressure test it,as a start.

[teenmal]

has it got the correct antifreeze mix in there,just thinking it could have partially frozen,and maybe got airlocked.i would get it to a good garage and get them to pressure test it,as a start.

H I agree with NB,I Would also ask the mechanic to check the thermostat and the turbo.

Cheers..

[Jayster]

Head gasket. Gutted.

Thanks for your help, though, chaps.

[mister munkey]

Bum.

Fingers crossed the head hasn't suffered any damage, that'll halve the cost of fixing it up.

I hope you have a local Bongo Friendly spannerman, if it ain't done right, its gonna go again.

Keep us posted.



Edit: Be sure they don't skimp on pattern parts, genuine Mazda all the way & make sure you get a set of new head studs too.

[Jayster]

Thanks, Mister Munkey. Have sourced the parts myself and they're all genuine Mazda parts. No Bongo specialist nearby though so fingers crossed this guy is OK.

[mister munkey]

Theres a factsheet in the Members area, worth printing off - or a couple of videos on YouTube on getting the system bled properly, if you have a newfangled smartfone, bung one in & make him watch it.

Even the most experienced spannermonkey can bugger it up if he's not used to the twin heater system.

Its not like any other, tread carefully my friend.

[Jayster]

Brilliant. Have found the page in question and will print it off.

Thanks again, mister munkey.