My first coolant issue :)

[Kincaid]

Just walked out to the Bongo, opened the door and found the low coolant alarm was ringing (it's on a permanent live cigarette socket). Does this mean I'm really now a member of the Club

Three hoses are weeping at the ends where they are fastened to the engine or metal pipes. It'll need to go back to the dealer tomorrow to get looked at but that's a journey of about 30 miles. As the pipes seem to be leaking at the connections should this be a fairly straight-forward job of just tightening the clips or is this realistically a system-drain/hose/thermostat replacement?

Should I risk the drive to the dealer's just topping up the coolant if the coolant alarm goes off along the way? I've also got a temperature alarm waiting for me to fit - should I fit this before going or just leave as is rather than risk an issue with warranty etc?

[Kincaid]

Ps. the Bongo was imported late last year and has only really been driven since I picked it up around three weeks ago. It had clearly sat for a while as the tyres were cracked and I can't be certain it received much more than an oil service.

[francophile1947]

Providing the plastic header tank hasn't been empty, you should be OK to just top it up.
Tightening the clips is worth a try, but it sounds like some of the metal pipes or hoses may need replacing - better to be safe than sorry

[mister munkey]

I'd struggle with the thought of a thirty mile trip with a heavy leak. Mine went once overnight but luckily - it happened at a Bongo meet at Silverdale and help was at hand albeit on a sunday, it got sorted at minimal expense.

IF the header tank has kept up to a reasonable level, drive cautiously but Take Immediate Notice if the alarm chirps again & STOP.

It could make a difference between a fifty quid fix or a fifteen hundred quid bill.

Trust me. I've been there - Twice!

[Kincaid]

I think the leak(s) must be fairly slow as the coolant alarm wasn't sounding when the car was parked up, but started after it had been standing there for a while. I poured about half a pint of water in the header tank to reach the level that stopped the coolant alarm.

[wonkanoby]

are they original clips.....type you squeeze with pliars to remove

these have no adjustment

or the screw type jubillle clip you can tighten

[Kincaid]

are they original clips.....type you squeeze with pliars to remove

these have no adjustment

or the screw type jubillle clip you can tighten

OK, I'll check that in the AM. So all original clips are the non-adjust type? That will give me a steer as to which hoses have previously been renewed elsewhere.

[wonkanoby]

So all original clips are the non-adjust type.....................yes

they are a constant pressure type

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hose_clamp

like red ones on left just down page a bit

[bigdaddycain]

If you have breakdown cover i'd get the bongo recovered to the dealer! The vehicle doesn't need to be incapacitated to warrant recovery to a destination of your choice. Make sure you tell the recovery company if you have an auto/4wd vehicle so it can be recovered in the correct manner. I take it the dealer replaced the cracked tyres etc?

Perhaps the kind dealer in question will supply a courtesy vehicle to at least "get you home again"?

[Kincaid]

I paid for the new tyres -they'd gone through the MOT with the cracks but they just didn't look safe enough from my perspective.

Re. the coolant. I drove the car there today (and back!) keeping an eye on the digital temp gauge and with 5 litres of coolant in the back in case the low-coolant alarm sounded. All went well so it's not loosing the coolant too quickly.

The dealer was really fair, got his mechanic to look it over and will be changing the driver's side engine hose, rear heater hose (above starter motor) and the metal elbow on the passenger side on Tuesday.

Result

[Kincaid]

oh and the diesel fuel pump seals also.

[Kincaid]

So all original clips are the non-adjust type.....................yes

they are a constant pressure type

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hose_clamp

like red ones on left just down page a bit

Each of the leaking hose ends was a jubilee clip - there are plenty of original mazda hoses on the other hose ends and they aren't leaking

[mikeonb4c]

So all original clips are the non-adjust type.....................yes

they are a constant pressure type

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hose_clamp

like red ones on left just down page a bit

Each of the leaking hose ends was a jubilee clip - there are plenty of original mazda hoses on the other hose ends and they aren't leaking

Yup - jubilee clips are not a good idea on Bongo hoses (as many who fitted silicone hoses have found). You want the constant pressure clips. I believe Northern Bongolow has had some to sell in the past - you could PM him

[mister munkey]

Jubilees should only be used as a short term measure.

As the hose expands and contracts when hot or cold, the Joobs - with a constant pressure, tend to loosen their grip. You end up with compressed rubber under the ring and an eventual loose clamp. Not too much trouble if they are tweaked every couple of months but will cause a split or bulge around the joint fairly swiftly. The orginal ones expand and contract at (almost) the same rate as the rubber, avoiding the compression & hence being 99% less hassle later on.

[Northern Bongolow]

Yup - jubilee clips are not a good idea on Bongo hoses (as many who fitted silicone hoses have found). You want the constant pressure clips. I believe Northern Bongolow has had some to sell in the past - you could PM him

agree with what you say mike. but not me selling clips .