Thermostat removal 4WD - do we have to remove propshaft?

patmckenna · Post by **patmckenna** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:28 pm

Hi Folks, I'm struggling with an on-going over-heating problem with my Ford Freda. With the help of Peter Humphery, we've had partial success. After a careful bleeding, my beastie ran for three weeks - including the Dent trip which involved motorway and country lane driving - without a hitch, without any water loss. This state of bongobliss continued until 4.30 yesterday afternoon when it overheated...

I've spent all this afternoon carefully bleeding the system but have not managed to bring it back to airless circulation. In order to eliminate all possible problems, I'd like to change the thermostat. The manual says that I have to remove the front prop shaft to access the thermostat housing. Can anyone tell me if they have changed the thermostat on the 4WD without removing the propshaft? How big a job is it to remove said prop if it really must be removed? Your thoughts appreciated. Pat.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:38 pm

read a post on here a couple of weeks ago. Someone stated they had replaced the stat without removing propshaft useing a socket with a universal joint..

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:40 pm

That's what I thought, just need to find the post.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:50 pm

Had to remove my front propshaft for repair a couple of weeks ago.

mechanic took about ten minutes

Undo the 4 bolts on the flange at the front end.

Slide shaft forward, wiggling it a bit, and it slides out of the front end of the gearbox/diff no prob. Check and protect seal at back end of propshaft.

To fit..reverse procedure.

H

Dannyboy · Post by **Dannyboy** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 10:59 pm

Hi Pat. Sorry to hear about your problems. My own bongo is overheating at the moment and I must have removed / refitted thermostats 8 or 10 times in the last few weeks. It is not necessary to remove the drive shaft.

I put the front wheels on ramps, removed the protective cover below the engine and gearbox and got access to the thermostat from below. I then used a universal joint and a socket set. It is all straightforward if you have a few tools. Probably 10mm for cover bolts and 12mm socket for the thermostat. You will also have to loosen the 10mm bolt holding the dipstick tube to allow the socket easier access to the thermostat.

Good luck.

patmckenna · Post by **patmckenna** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:16 pm

Hi Guys, Thanks for the messages. I have the ramps, so I'll be brave in the morning and have a peep. Will keep you posted.

I suspect Bongo owners have reached a point where a small fortune awaits the bright spark who creates a Bongo Welcome Pack containing all the hoses, clips, thermostat, fuses, belts and filters etc needed to flush & revitalise our beasts... Pat

Post by **Ian** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 11:58 pm

Good luck on your mission Pat. Keep us informed.

veefour · Post by **veefour** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:26 am

I have changed my thermostat twice as the first one was faulty.Check the new one in boiling water before fitting.No need to remove the prop shaft. Remove the large engine cover under the car and a good 3/8 socket set with a swivel should get the stat cover off.It is awkward though but it can be done.
Regards veefour

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 12:34 am

Would any of you overheating guys care to check the state of the pipes going to and from the themostat housing to see if they are gunged up, and if so can you clean them out and let us all know if this cures the problem. On another thread on Techie Stuff we are trying to see if we can get to the bottom of this overheating and cure it once and for all and one of the theories is that the bypass pipe may be restricted in someway but of course we someone with an overheating Bongo to check it out.

patmckenna · Post by **patmckenna** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:18 pm

Hi Guys,
Would love to report success - but I've spent all day on the Bongo and am no nearer solving the overheating problem. I fitted the new thermostat - a fiddle of a job - but managed okay. I went through the bleeding bleeding process (if you see what I mean) and repeated it throughout the afternoon without managing to get rid of the overheating.
I'm going to open a new topic/thread to try and describe what went on. Many thanks for all the help. Whilst I didn't need to drop the propshaft for the thermostat, it looks like I might need to drop it when I have the beast towed to a Bongo garage. Where's the nearest one to Blackburn?!
Pat

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 10:26 pm

So you didn't bother checking the bypass hoses etc. for sediment etc., this could be your problem!

Perhaps if you have to remove the thermostat again you can check out the ancillary pipework going to/from the thermostat housing for sediment, stick a piece of bendy wire in and jiggle it and in see if it comes out looking as if it has been in a cake mix.

Thanks, this will help us all try and see why the Bongo overheats.

patmckenna · Post by **patmckenna** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:12 pm

Hi Vanmaneric, Thanks for the post. I did respond to your request to check the bypass hose system. My checking wasn't scientific though - all I did was ram my finger in the bores satisfying myself that there was no crud thereabouts. I accept that sending a bendy wire would be much more thorough. If I open up that part of the Bongo's anatomy again, I'll use that technique and report back.
Pat

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:23 pm

V sorry you've got problems Pat - hope you manage to get it resolved. Must be infuriating. V interested to hear what it turns out to be. There's got to be something we've not nailed down that is causing this strange behaviour in (some) Bongos. I wish we could get some expert views from Japanese Bongo mechanics.

Mike

BPH80 · Post by **BPH80** » Sun Apr 01, 2007 11:52 pm

Bongo friendly garage in Nelson not to far from Blackburn.

got mine from them, they've been importing from japan for years and are very reasenable price wise.

http://nandpmotorworkshop.co.uk/

Units 9 & 10 Barnfield Business Centre
Brunswick Street
Nelson
Lancashire
Tel/Fax : 01282 619749

Dannyboy · Post by **Dannyboy** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 2:06 pm

Hi Vanmaneric,

Although my overheating symptoms suggest a problem at the thermostat. I have hosed the cooling system every which way and found nothing. I have removed the hose behind the alternator and the thermostat housing and can see no sign of a blockage.

I have now removed my radiator and while the flow test was not decisive, there were cool/cold areas when laid flat and filled with hot water. I have ordered a new rad and I'll let you know if it fixes my problem.