Water pump replacement

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior

bigdaddycain
Supreme Being
Posts: 10637
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 11:58 am
Location: Ince Lancs

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by bigdaddycain » Thu Apr 07, 2011 1:13 pm

haydn callow wrote:Image

You will see 2 cracks on this tank......there is also a small partial crack......one of the 2 (on left) weeps under pressure.......none of these Bongos had LCA's fitted....that why the came to me ... to find a coolant loss and to have one fitted.

This tank was off a P reg and had signes of having overheated in the past....heavy staining
Ooh... the underneath of my tank doesn't look like that! Perhaps long term overheating bongo's with overly pressurised tanks go that way? The baffles look like they are straining to break through! At this early stage i'd suggest that normal none stained tanks may not suffer from cracks... Not if mine is anything to go by at least! (everybody breath a sigh of releif) AAHHhhh :wink:
ビッグダディケイン RIP Big Bank Hank (Imp the Dimp) 1957-2014
User avatar
haydn callow
Supreme Being
Posts: 5777
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:50 pm
Location: Somerset
Contact:

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by haydn callow » Thu Apr 07, 2011 1:30 pm

5/6 out of 10 or so.....50% ..... 2 of which "weeped" I did see more in the early days of cutting them up etc and didn't really pay attention.....Only whe the first "weepy" one arrived did I sit up.

I will bring them to Stourport for anyone to examine.
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
User avatar
mikeonb4c
Supreme Being
Posts: 22877
Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
Contact:

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by mikeonb4c » Thu Apr 07, 2011 1:43 pm

bigdaddycain wrote:
mikeonb4c wrote:
If we've fitted a nice little LCA, do we even care if/when a header tank cracks, or even if/when a hose starts to leak (bit risqué that last one :lol: )

I'll fetch me coat 8)
:lol: Careful Mike! [-X Having an alarm shouldn't mean you don't physically check the coolant level/hoses/connections from time to time mate! :D
Oh I do but frankly, with an LCA, I just do it as and when I happen to have the bonnet up, or the engine covers open (which is regularly enough). Without an LCA, I'd be forever worrying when Murphys Law might strike (i.e. the leak always starts just after you did your last inspection).

Can I put me coat on now? :lol:
User avatar
haydn callow
Supreme Being
Posts: 5777
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:50 pm
Location: Somerset
Contact:

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by haydn callow » Thu Apr 07, 2011 1:44 pm

Interesting.......Just examined the 3 tanks I have ......all have the 2 cracks in exactly the same position as in the 1st photo
1...just behind where the front mounting lug is.
2...just behind the larger rear most outlet pipe across the baffel.

Image

One of the tanks is off a T reg V6....cracks but not right through..(not leaking)
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
bigdaddycain
Supreme Being
Posts: 10637
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 11:58 am
Location: Ince Lancs

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by bigdaddycain » Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:03 pm

mikeonb4c wrote:
bigdaddycain wrote:
mikeonb4c wrote:
If we've fitted a nice little LCA, do we even care if/when a header tank cracks, or even if/when a hose starts to leak (bit risqué that last one :lol: )

I'll fetch me coat 8)
:lol: Careful Mike! [-X Having an alarm shouldn't mean you don't physically check the coolant level/hoses/connections from time to time mate! :D
Oh I do but frankly, with an LCA, I just do it as and when I happen to have the bonnet up, or the engine covers open (which is regularly enough). Without an LCA, I'd be forever worrying when Murphys Law might strike (i.e. the leak always starts just after you did your last inspection).

Can I put me coat on now? :lol:
It's too warm for a coat Mike! :lol: Maybe that's the problem mate (not the coat) The fact that "you'd be forever worrying when murphy's law might strike"... Fair enough having an alarm as a precaution... But i think it's wrong to assume a leak WILL occur and the results WILL be catastrophic.... And that's coming from a pessimist! :lol:
ビッグダディケイン RIP Big Bank Hank (Imp the Dimp) 1957-2014
User avatar
haydn callow
Supreme Being
Posts: 5777
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:50 pm
Location: Somerset
Contact:

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by haydn callow » Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:16 pm

Carn't find the post now ....in the last couple of days somone gave a link to a tank on sale on ebay......Guess what ???? had photos forwarded and the same cracks are there....I don't think I should post the photo's on here but I will send them to a email address if anyone wants to see them
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
User avatar
widdowson2008
Supreme Being
Posts: 1703
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:15 pm
Location: N.E.Derbyshire

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by widdowson2008 » Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:40 pm

haydn callow wrote: 1...just behind where the front mounting lug is.
2...just behind the larger rear most outlet pipe across the baffel.
Image
Just taken a look at the tank I've been playing with. Got it from Mike at Wheelquick. It shows identical cracks to the one in Haydns pic. IDENTICAL. :shock: apart from the one I have isn't as clean.
Steve
bigdaddycain
Supreme Being
Posts: 10637
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 11:58 am
Location: Ince Lancs

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by bigdaddycain » Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:44 pm

And if memory serves me correctly Steve that tank is from a breaker with a cooked head. I wonder if the tanks with cracks have seen some "action"? Strange that it should only recently manifest itself... Stained? cracked? Correlation perhaps?
ビッグダディケイン RIP Big Bank Hank (Imp the Dimp) 1957-2014
User avatar
haydn callow
Supreme Being
Posts: 5777
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:50 pm
Location: Somerset
Contact:

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by haydn callow » Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:58 pm

I don't belive it is a recent thing..just unobserved....how many peeps look at the bottom of a tank ??? I looked at at lot 3 years ago....never noticed them but I'm pretty sure they were there....Steve above didn't notice those untill he was prompted to look.
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
User avatar
widdowson2008
Supreme Being
Posts: 1703
Joined: Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:15 pm
Location: N.E.Derbyshire

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by widdowson2008 » Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:01 pm

bigdaddycain wrote:And if memory serves me correctly Steve that tank is from a breaker with a cooked head. I wonder if the tanks with cracks have seen some Strange that it should only recently manifest itself... Stained? cracked? Correlation perhaps?
Not sure of its origin (except it came from Mike) ste. I was also wondering if the cracks may be associated with "action".
Steve
bigdaddycain
Supreme Being
Posts: 10637
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 11:58 am
Location: Ince Lancs

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by bigdaddycain » Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:08 pm

haydn callow wrote:I don't belive it is a recent thing..just unobserved....how many peeps look at the bottom of a tank ??? I looked at at lot 3 years ago....never noticed them but I'm pretty sure they were there....Steve above didn't notice those untill he was prompted to look.
That's a releif... If you've only had one that is actually leaking through the many tanks you've had pass through your hands, then it would appear as if the cracks could well be visual fissions that may never develop into a leak.

Bongo tanks seem to be a little "two a penny" these days, should mine develop a leak via a crack, i'm pretty sure i'll be able to get hold of another crack free example. :wink:

It'd give me an excuse to get a stainless tank made up via Bailey :D
ビッグダディケイン RIP Big Bank Hank (Imp the Dimp) 1957-2014
User avatar
haydn callow
Supreme Being
Posts: 5777
Joined: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:50 pm
Location: Somerset
Contact:

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by haydn callow » Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:11 pm

Iv'e had two that actually "weep" under pressure as said above.
http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk
Developer of the Mazda Bongo Coolant loss Alarm
Also BMW Clocks
User avatar
mikexgough
Supreme Being
Posts: 6158
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:02 pm
Location: Cambridgeshire - where the all the Slodgers reside
Contact:

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by mikexgough » Thu Apr 07, 2011 4:50 pm

bigdaddycain wrote: It'd give me an excuse to get a stainless tank made up via Bailey :D
Way to go young man..... do ya think they could do one with the correct sized chambers?...if so...count me in..
Conversant with Bongo Top Pinion Oil Seals

Bongo owning Velotech Cycle Mechanic
User avatar
blobber
Supreme Being
Posts: 1452
Joined: Tue May 08, 2007 9:30 pm
Location: NORTHWICH

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by blobber » Thu Apr 07, 2011 11:26 pm

would a stainless steel tank be classed as a pimp? In which case steve, count yourself out. [-X [-X [-X
Alan & Dot

Yes sir, I can Bongo !!

I now walk with an angel by my side.
IOM3

Re: Water pump replacement

Post by IOM3 » Fri Apr 08, 2011 9:33 am

Haydn, Hi,

I'm a member of IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining) and would happily have the header tanks examined to determine the failure mode.

As you are probably already aware as an experienced and qualified technical expert, there is forthcoming legislation regarding 'Lightweighting for low emission vehicles' that is driving considerable research into the use of plastics, composites and other materials to not only reduce weight and therefore emissions, but the whole life recycle of materials used in vehicle manufacture.

As you know long term operating experience is beneficial to reinforce theoretical knowledge.

Would you be so kind as to send the header tanks to me. I'll advise the details in due course. Clearly any failures are of interest to us.

Would you be prepared to assist our research, which will involve meticulous record keeping and data validation. We can't have spurious data corrupting our research, you understand.

By the way, are you a member of an Engineering Council accredited Institution? Well worth the annual fee for access to technical reports alone.

KInd regards

CP

PS is there an email address we can communicate via?
Locked

Return to “Techie Stuff”