ANOTHER OVERHEATING BONGO, HOPEFULLY SORTED

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:18 pm

cannot agree that the bongo was not ment to cruise at 70 plus MPH . If that were the case why will it do the TON??

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:21 pm

No Peter, not from what Haydn is saying although it did in the Townace but then it didn't have the bypass circuit. Being a novice to the Bongo I'm taking Haydn's view that the rad only plays a part when hot, at face value. What I'm trying to ascertain is why do some Bongos express this overheating problem while the majority don't. Many UK owners of the Townace which was also made for the Japanese home market and lower speeds, complained of cracked heads and silted coolant pathways. The latter seems to be common with those experiencing problems with the Bongo overheating. Therefore, I'm proposing that the issue is to do with the history of certain vehicles and the fact that the heads may be suffering from 'clogged arteries'. In some cases this may be helped by improving the coolant flow by adding holes to the stat. So I'm not advocating the rad plays an active part in all this but am coming down on the side of those who add holes to the stat where suffering from overheating.

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:22 pm

haydn callow wrote:cannot agree that the bongo was not ment to cruise at 70 plus MPH . If that were the case why will it do the TON??

Why is any car made that can go over the speed limit? - better acceleration?

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:25 pm

Done over 100,000km in mine without modified stat in all conditions from snow in the highv Alps to the Med coast in mid summer heat.

So far I've had the following cooling probs:

1st winter (2005) bottom hose froze solid leading to overheating (no circualtion)..cure...let it warm through and refill with coolant.

April 2006...Water pump failed and had to be replaced...engine 'boiled/cooked.
Cause: Belts overtightened on service (failure after aout 5.000km)
Cure..replaced water pump..bled engine (without handbook).

August 2006...radiator leaking from plastic top...tried radweld without reult...replaced radiator..bled system..all ok

Guage reads at about 11.30 (a smidgin to the left of vertical) always has done.

Water has tended to be bunged in rather than coolant...only checked annually in spring...which is probably a mistake!

Hope this is of use as an example of 'normal' in a high use bongo.

cheers

H

Jamesnjane · Post by **Jamesnjane** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:30 pm

being into my sports cars when i could afford them they use to overheat when given a good thrashing, so maybe 70-80mph is thrashing a bongo?????????

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:34 pm

I like the idea of clogged arteries.

This could eisily happen if a vehicle is left standing for long periods when impurities in the water system and oxidisation may well settle and form a cement like sludge.

If there was any air in the system this would actually make matters worse.

It may explain why some vehicles may be more prone...and of course simple flushing won'tshift it...but using the engine will...in lumps which may cause temporary blockages..

just following logic???

H

Peg leg Pete · Post by **Peg leg Pete** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:35 pm

I know since flushing radiator thoroughly and correct coolant, new stat and a couple of hoses changed, engine has stayed at a constant temp for a year, so will flush and change coolant on a regular 2 year cycle

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:36 pm

One of the reasons the rads do get a bit blocked could be co's there is so little flow through them to keep things clean ???

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:36 pm

very intresting though...

Jamesnjane · Post by **Jamesnjane** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:39 pm

buy a new rad flushing isnt certain enough for me

Jamesnjane · Post by **Jamesnjane** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:41 pm

will if you drill some holes in your stat

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:41 pm

you don't . you fit a new rad if they are there, and you won't know they are there till you pull the rad to bits.

Jamesnjane · Post by **Jamesnjane** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:47 pm

i agree about the rad only being used when stat opens, but i dont think that is enough for the speeds we do, so i like the idea of using that £135 rad buy bypassing the stat with holes

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:50 pm

Well !! I'm going down to watch the golf now. I'll leave you boys to it. I still think i'm right and I'm sure the stat will not open under normal driving conditions and untill it does the rad plays little part in cooling. And thats final. I thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken!!

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:56 pm

I think you're right Haydn - it would be interesting to find out what speeds the overheating cars are driven at normally - maybe it is mainly the high speed drivers who suffer