Another coolant question

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stuc
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Another coolant question

Post by stuc » Tue May 10, 2011 7:57 pm

Hi over last few weeks the Bongo has been spitting coolant out from somewhere high up as it is on the inside of the bonnet and the intake vent. If i am filling up with too much coolant will it spit it back out? Header tank still registers about 15mm on my stick after this happens.How much should it come up the stick? Doesnt do it every trip and doesnt seem too hot could it be the rad cap?(looks like original one with jap writing on)
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by jaylee » Tue May 10, 2011 8:12 pm

20mm on my lolly stick..!
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by stuc » Tue May 10, 2011 9:11 pm

Cheers so after losing coolant i still have 15mm on my stick may suggest i am overfilling?
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by jaylee » Tue May 10, 2011 9:29 pm

I don't know how much your putting in to loose it down to 15mm... If you dip yer stick vertically to touch the bottom, 20mm is just the right amount to top up to! 8)

Need a coolant boffin fer the spitting antifreeze... 8-[
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by Northern Bongolow » Wed May 11, 2011 1:40 am

stuc wrote:Hi over last few weeks the Bongo has been spitting coolant out from somewhere high up as it is on the inside of the bonnet and the intake vent. If i am filling up with too much coolant will it spit it back out? Header tank still registers about 15mm on my stick after this happens.How much should it come up the stick? Doesnt do it every trip and doesnt seem too hot could it be the rad cap?(looks like original one with jap writing on)
to establish the correct fill level just fill to the high mark on the expansion tank when the engine/coolant is cold, if you have a discoloured tank and cannot view the level through it, its as jaylee says, approx 20mm up a lolly stick held verticle.
this does sound like you have a leak somewhere in the coolant system, or a faulty cap on either the rad or expansion tank, or a split rad.
would suggest a pressure test,and a cap test and take it from there,and would suggest you dont drive it until you get to the bottom of it.
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by mikexgough » Wed May 11, 2011 7:19 am

stuc wrote:Hi over last few weeks the Bongo has been spitting coolant out from somewhere high up as it is on the inside of the bonnet and the intake vent. If i am filling up with too much coolant will it spit it back out? Header tank still registers about 15mm on my stick after this happens.How much should it come up the stick? Doesnt do it every trip and doesnt seem too hot could it be the rad cap?(looks like original one with jap writing on)
If the coolant is spitting out high up then could be the top rad hose with a pin hole or one of the exp hoses with similar......could be when the engine gets hotter than usual the pin hole opens up and erupts coolant ...worth a check, leave the engine running after a trip and lift the bonnet, if there is a pin hole it will soon make itself known..... 5mm drop doesn't suggest a big leak to me...
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by missfixit70 » Wed May 11, 2011 12:30 pm

Has the rad been changed at any point for a non standard one with a vent under the rad cap? If so this should be blocked off as it's not necessary & will cause problems, as any venting should take place at the header tank cap (1.1bar only). The cap on the rad should not be able to vent at all so it is not really relevant what pressure cap is fitted.
Is the header pressure cap sealing ok?
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by TechnoTurkey » Wed May 11, 2011 4:49 pm

As is to be expected, Kirsty has a very valid point - this is what was causing my coolant leak, never more than a quick squirt but enough to set my nostrils tingling and my brain to panic!
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stuc
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by stuc » Wed May 11, 2011 6:49 pm

Hi rad has got an overflow next to the cap. Do i need to block this off? Pressure tested the caps today and both were letting go at 0.8 bar so two new caps i reckon. Wheres the best place to get them, local factors ,ebay or is genuine parts best?
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by widdowson2008 » Wed May 11, 2011 6:57 pm

stuc wrote:Hi rad has got an overflow next to the cap. Do i need to block this off? Pressure tested the caps today and both were letting go at 0.8 bar so two new caps i reckon. Wheres the best place to get them, local factors ,ebay or is genuine parts best?
The overflow at the main rad needs to be blocked off. You will not need a new cap here because all it is doing is blanking off the radiator. Just check that it is sealing correctly.

The expansion tank however DOES need a cap rated at 1.1bar.
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by stuc » Wed May 11, 2011 7:45 pm

Any suggestions on best way to seal off this overflow.
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by dobby » Wed May 11, 2011 8:03 pm

I haven't done this myself but I understand that people have used a piece of pipe with a bolt as plug with appropriate hose clamps etc.

Someone will be along shortly with the right advice.
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by missfixit70 » Wed May 11, 2011 8:13 pm

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Re: Another coolant question

Post by TechnoTurkey » Wed May 11, 2011 10:11 pm

I used a short bit of pipe with a bolt rammed down it and a jubilee clip at each end, has been perfect.
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Re: Another coolant question

Post by stuc » Wed May 11, 2011 10:19 pm

Thanks for that, sorry i wasnt paying attention i will give myself a telling off and go stand in the corner with a dunses hat on. #-o :oops:
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