Coolant Level question

Post by **umbongocat** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:50 pm

Just went out to move the bongo and the coolant level alarm squealed. When I went to check the level, it's gone way below the low line.

I'm worried as it's soooo low about all the bleeding stuff. Should I not worry and just re-fill it and see what happens from there?

Have to admit I don't check the coolant level regularly, so it might be it's just over time lost water.

Post by **Doone** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:59 pm

Should I not worry and just re-fill it and see what happens from there?

Any loss of coolant needs to be checked, so if you top it up, don't ignore it.

As you said, it may be a slow weep, or it could have happened quickly. You could start by looking for any obvious signs - wet under the van, damp hose joints, damp radiator etc.

widdowson2008 · Post by **widdowson2008** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:00 pm

I would have a GOOD look around the pipework first, to see if you can find out where it has leaked.
As far as topping the expansion tank is concerned, you MAY get away with it providing the level hasn't dropped below the bottom of the tank.
You will still need to find out where it has leaked from AND FIX IT. Absolute priority.

Doone, you're toooooooo fast.

Post by **Doone** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:03 pm

Doone, you're toooooooo fast.

Not a bad speed for a one-achey-finger typist.

Post by **umbongocat** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:04 pm

thank for that. We were planning on going away tonight about an hours drive... if we top up would it still be ok to drive for an hour and then check it again when we arrive?

widdowson2008 · Post by **widdowson2008** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:15 pm

umbongocat wrote:thank for that. We were planning on going away tonight about an hours drive... if we top up would it still be ok to drive for an hour and then check it again when we arrive?

If you have a leak, it aint gonna fix itself and there is only one outcome if you ignore it. It may be nothing, but if it happened to me, I would GROUND the Bongo 'till it was sorted. Alternative is potentially way too expensive.

Post by **umbongocat** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:19 pm

widdowson2008 wrote:
umbongocat wrote:thank for that. We were planning on going away tonight about an hours drive... if we top up would it still be ok to drive for an hour and then check it again when we arrive?
If you have a leak, it aint gonna fix itself and there is only one outcome if you ignore it. It may be nothing, but if it happened to me, I would GROUND the Bongo 'till it was sorted. Alternative is potentially way too expensive.

I topped it up and it's now between the low line and high line. Before it was at the line just below the low line if that makes sense.

What I guess I'm worried about is hearing about air bubbles etc... or is that only if you completely change the coolant?

I've also checked pipes leading to it and looked in the front bonnet and don't appear to see anything wet. There's nothing on the road either where it was parked last night.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:26 pm

I think its fair to say that if the coolant never went below the low-line (or even as long as some remained in the header tank) you should not be at risk of aiir-bubbles in the system. The danger lies really in whether whatever is causing it gets worse when you go driving, and if you should (for any reason) fail to realise it. The ultra-cautious in me woud suggest grounding the Bongo until sorted, though I suspect you'd get away with it if you didn't. Doesn't make the decision easier I know but......

Let's see what (mechanically minded) others have to say to my post.

Post by **umbongocat** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:29 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:I think its fair to say that if the coolant never went below the low-line (or even as long as some remained in the header tank) you should not be at risk of aiir-bubbles in the system. The danger lies really in whether whatever is causing it gets worse when you go driving, and if you should (for any reason) fail to realise it. The ultra-cautious in me woud suggest grounding the Bongo until sorted, though I suspect you'd get away with it if you didn't. Doesn't make the decision easier I know but......

Let's see what (mechanically minded) others have to say to my post.

It was below the low line (about half way between the low line and the bottom). We've booked to go camping about a 45 min drive from where we live. Could stop half way, check again and then it will be parked up for 2 nights at the campsite...

I'll see what others say too

thanks for the advice so far. I can't find any leaks or wet pipes, but I've only looked under the bonet and not the seat...

widdowson2008 · Post by **widdowson2008** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:42 pm

As Mike said, if there was ANY coolant in the expansion tank, you will have probably got away with no damage.
Still doesn't get away with the fact that you lost coolant though.

And your alarm did its job. If you are going to ignore it, you may as well throw the coolant alarm away.
What sort of low coolant alarm do you have?

You will need to rummage around underneath to check for leaks properly, and even then you may not find it.
Recently been involved with a Bongo which has a leaking pump and that wasn't spotted until the pump was removed, so its not an easy task.
Better safe than sorry.

Post by **umbongocat** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:49 pm

widdowson2008 wrote:As Mike said, if there was ANY in the expansion tank, you will have probably got away with no damage.
Still doesn't get away with the fact that you lost coolant though.

And your alarm did its job. If you are going to ignore it, you may as well throw the coolant alarm away.
What sort of low coolant alarm do you have?

You will need to rummage around underneath to check for leaks properly, and even then you may not find it.
Recently been involved with a Bongo which has a leaking pump and that wasn't spotted until the pump was removed, so its not an easy task.
Better safe than sorry.

Yep there was some in the expansion tank. Was wondering if the coolant loss could come from having done some camping on mountains (altitude) in the freezing cold, so may have lost that way. To be fair and honest.. I've not checked the levels since November and it was then just below the full line when I checked it before leaving to go for a long journey.

Since then we've done a heck of a lot of mileage in her and not checked the water

I have no idea what coolant alarm it is but it obviously did the job. I've topped her up now and will have to see how it goes. It's under warranty which is one good thing so will keep an eye on it and see what happens.

Post by **Doone** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:57 pm

It sounds like you're talking yourself into doing the journey.

if we top up would it still be ok to drive for an hour and then check it again when we arrive?

There's no way of telling for certain if it would be alright to drive.
If there is a leak, and it's a slow one that doesn't get any worse, then it may be OK.
I have known Bongos to have a slow, small leak for a couple of weeks before they're fixed, and have no lasting problem. I've also known slow leaks to get suddenly and dramatically worse.

What I guess I'm worried about is hearing about air bubbles etc... or is that only if you completely change the coolant?

No, it doesn't just happen then. If it had lost enough coolant, air could be in the system. It doesn't sound as though yours lost a lot, but you're sensible to consider it.

Was wondering if the coolant loss could come from having done some camping on mountains (altitude) in the freezing cold, so may have lost that way.

I've never camped at high altitude, so can't comment. I seem to remember reading on the forum that this happened to another Bongo.

If we know of others who are going to do this, it may be worth asking them in future, to report back if it made any difference to the coolant level.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 3:59 pm

umbongocat wrote:
widdowson2008 wrote:As Mike said, if there was ANY in the expansion tank, you will have probably got away with no damage.
Still doesn't get away with the fact that you lost coolant though.

And your alarm did its job. If you are going to ignore it, you may as well throw the coolant alarm away.
What sort of low coolant alarm do you have?

You will need to rummage around underneath to check for leaks properly, and even then you may not find it.
Recently been involved with a Bongo which has a leaking pump and that wasn't spotted until the pump was removed, so its not an easy task.
Better safe than sorry.
Yep there was some in the expansion tank. Was wondering if the coolant loss could come from having done some camping on mountains (altitude) in the freezing cold, so may have lost that way. To be fair and honest.. I've not checked the levels since November and it was then just below the full line when I checked it before leaving to go for a long journey.

Since then we've done a heck of a lot of mileage in her and not checked the water I have no idea what coolant alarm it is but it obviously did the job. I've topped her up now and will have to see how it goes. It's under warranty which is one good thing so will keep an eye on it and see what happens.

If the LCA did its job last time, it should do it again. Just take a good supply of spare 50/50 antifreeze (water alone will do as long as you remember you shouldn't leave the system with a weakened antifreeze mix). Don't remove the header tank cap when engine is hot unless you are very very careful about it, using a towel to protect you from escaping hot coolant and releasing cap very slowly to release pressure before removing.

The warranty will almost certainly be invalid if you knowingly drive it with a leak and anything happens.

But my hunch is you should be OK. Watch out especially if you get stuck in traffic and engine gets hot though (not sure why I should say that but its just a feeling I have).

Have a good trip.

Mike

PS - incidentally, my coolant level suddenly is found to be a bit low after very long (random) intervals (LCA advises/warns me). Its been like that for 4+ years (maybe 3 top-ups in that time) and I just accept it and top it up. Its for all these reasons though that I regard the LCA as an essential piece of kit. I would not contemplate running a Bongo that didn't have one and it must help when time to sell comes around (which will be never for me I hope).

PPS - Doone

It sounds like you're talking yourself into doing the journey.

(with a little help from me

)

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:00 pm

Also, if you get a chance, why not drive it around locally for a bit before your trip just to see if the level goes down. If it has, you know what (not) to do.

Post by **umbongocat** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:03 pm

oh it's so obvious that I don't want to be grounded at home...

I'll keep you posted on what it is. I've filled her back to the full line. I am naughty and will admit I've not checked the levels since beginning of December

So, I'm thinking I'll drive for 20 mins, check again.. if it's not lost any we'll continue the 20mins and arrive at our campsite. She'll be stationary for two nights. I don't believe it's a sudden leak, but I guess that's a risk I'll have to take. I think it's been a slow progression. When it was last checked it was just below the full line.

I'll keep a very beady eye on it. Have to see if the other half will still want to go tonight anyway...

Thanks for advice

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