nice day for... coolant loss

[mikexgough]

Thanks, proved to be very sound advice!

Checked this morning and there was a puddle under the radiator coming from the bottom right as you face the van.

Took it straight back to the garage. Hope this doesn't turn into a saga.

Some observations from my test drive last night

1) Front and rear heaters both blowing hot air.
2) When up to temp and stopped after driving the top hose was hot and the bottom hose was barely lukewarm
3) When up to temp my Mason modded temp gauge is sitting about 12:30pm which is lower than I'm used to (normally about 1:30pm)

I'm no expert in these matters so I don't know if 2) is good or bad

Also, I see they used a jubilee clip for the bottom hose on the rad. Maybe they were struggling to get it to seal with the original constant pressure clip (which is still on the hose).

Glenn
1) Superb
2) Same as mine and not unknown -Bottom hose on mine gets really hot when the engine is at it's extreme temp just before the fans run
3) My Mason is 12:00 to a 12:30 max after a long fast run....just creeps a little higher up hills etc. under load

Sounds like a nip up of the jubilee and cut off the Original clamp....should sort you

[helen&tony]

Hi Glen
Well...you already know the answer, I expect...new hoses and clips, and bleed it yourself.
If the garage put 2 clips on, there's a strong chance you won't get it to seal.
as you know, i've almost replaced every component on mine...the new batch of hoses and clips are all Mazda, as the silicons were failing after 18 months. In the end analysis, if you keep the car, you'll get value for money...Think how much an AVERAGE car depreciates, and how much you spend on the bongo...not a lot of difference, I'll wager, and you have a far more useful transporter into the bargain. A fully renewed cooling system should see a few years service
Cheers
Helen

[corblimey]

Thanks for all your replies so far. I'm glad my observations match.

If the garage can sort the leak then hopefully all is well. If not then I think I'll be taking to your chap James.

Helen, I would have bled it myself but unfortunately I only have on street parking (off camber) and don't have access to anywhere suitable to do the work myself. It's frustrating at times likes these but that's how it is. My feeling is (hope ) this was an age related issue so I will seriously be considering a cooling system overhaul as a preventative measure.

[helen&tony]

Hi Glen...
I'm sure it'll turn out to be an age-related thing....as you say, hopefully. Shame about the lack of off-road parking. Is there nobody round your way with a drive you can scrounge???
Cheers
Helen

[corblimey]

Just a quick follow up....

In the end I got a new rad from here http://www.championcarradiators.co.uk/ who is ebay seller http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/budget-radiators.

£90 all in and delivered in a day. Not sure it's oem spec but I've spoken to at least one respected BF member who's had one fitted for 3 years on the recommendation of another member and they've not had a problem.

Actually spoke to the chap and ordered over the phonem interestingly he said he supplied a number of Bongo parts suppliers.

When it went back to the garage because of the damp patch I noticed on the road after they fitted it they said it was simply due to the shear volume of coolant that was sat under the bonnet area after flushing. To be fair it was a damp patch not a puddle so they could be right although I noticed they refitted some on the rad pipes with differnt clamps.

Anyway, since I got the van back I've done 350 miles without issue including a good run down the A30, M5 & A38 to River Dart Country Park last weekend. BTW Top spot if you've got kids (or are a big kid!)

Again, many thanks for all the advice.

[haydn callow]

Dosn't matter what cap you put on a radiator as they don't have a pressure release spigot on the neck......If you get a aftermarket one that does have a spigot on the filler neck...block it off.....pressure is NOT supposed to be released via the rad.....the header tank cap is the important one. (1.1 bar) don't worry about the colour.

You don't even need to fit a pressure cap to the rad.....a plain cap will do.