Freda very poorly - gutted!

[alan]

was it me you pm cuse i didnt get it

Thanks for replies - (Alan & Mike I've sent you both pm's)

Dropped off the coolant alarm for my mechanic today & he tells me the cylinder head was significantly warped. He reckons this proves the vehicle has been overheating for some time & that (sadly) the seller would have been aware of it. Some people hey?

I've a good mechanic dealing with it and here's hoping no more bad news (tis a very testing time right now)!!

[clare]

Thanks for comments - yes it was advertised on this website but by a non-member.

Anyhow here's one for you? .................

Can someone please explain ((in layman’s terms please)) what is so different to repairing the head gasket etc etc of a bongo/freeda? I’m led to believe the coolant system is completely different to any other vehicle. The mechanic I have is great but not worked on one before.

I certainly don’t want to be seen to be telling him how to do his job, (I’m treading a very fine line there!) however, is there is something I should be telling him that is of major importance that he would not be aware of otherwise? I'd like to be able to explain it to him myself rather than print something off in the hope he will read it!

Thanks x

PS: Alan (wellington) it was another Alan I sent pm to

[wonkanoby]

there is nowt different in the head

just advise an original gasket not a chinese copy cheap of ebay

new bolts... they stretch when fitted

and getting it skimmed to be sure its flat

and block checked for level ditto to last

the unusual bit is the performance to bleed it after

so get him the 3 u tube video

[haydn callow]

I think the answer above misunderstood the question.

What is the differance betwee Bongo/Freda...nothing (correct)

What is the differance in repairing Bongo/Freda heads compared to other vehicles..( the bleeding afterwards and the care that must be taken to get everything exactly right )

And to ensure that all other cooling system componants are 100%.

And not to fit the Ford Ranger head unless steps are taken to adapt the Bleed hose outlet.

[mikeonb4c]

I'm trying to think (which doesn't come easy to me - no rude replies please), but is there a factsheet (such as Simon Jones might have done when he DIY fitted a new head and did such a good job) that sums up the key points to doing a good job on head replacement, and that Clare's mechanic could have recommended to him from one of our mechanics (I'm sure for example that Adrian in Bury would spare another mechanic a few minutes on the phone to talk a fellow proffessional through the various Bongo quirks which are, after all, not impossible to deal with)? I think mechanics are probably much better at taking advice from (1) a proper factsheet and (2) one of their own kind, than from anyone of us who wanders up and tries to sound like an expert.

Any technical discussion ought also to include investigation (and correction if necessary) of the (historical) problem that led the head to fail.

I do hope the vendor might contribute something towards repair costs as it seems hard to believe they had no awarness of all this

[clare]

Saga continues:

I've been staying silent (well burying head in sand if i'm honest) but the great news (NOT!) i received today is the Cylinder head needs replacing

I've searched the forum and read previous posts re the cheap chinese cylinder heads & also taken good advice from Ian Taylor today & a new (not chinese!) one is now winging its way over.

x

[mikeonb4c]

Saga continues:

I've been staying silent (well burying head in sand if i'm honest) but the great news (NOT!) i received today is the Cylinder head needs replacing

I've searched the forum and read previous posts re the cheap chinese cylinder heads & also taken good advice from Ian Taylor today & a new (not chinese!) one is now winging its way over.

x

Is Ian Taylor going to do the work or is it being done my your IoM mechanic? Make sure that all that needs doing (i.e. what might have caused the original overheat?) gets done and that the mechanic is able to call Ian or another skilled Bongo mechanic for advice on key points. Ensure cylinder block is flatted properly etc. before new head fitted.

Good luck. For entirely different reasons, I know exactly what it is like to have to put your head in the sand. I've been doing it for the last 8 months. There will be light at the end of the tunnel, I keep telling myself (and you should too).

Keep us posted on progress

Mike

[clare]

Hi Mike

IOM mechanic though he has spoken to Ian regarding the cylinder head.

I will keep you posted - hey maybe i may just get her back in time for the easter school holiday!!!

Keep smiling & thanks for support xxx

[mikeonb4c]

Hi Mike

IOM mechanic though he has spoken to Ian regarding the cylinder head.

I will keep you posted - hey maybe i may just get her back in time for the easter school holiday!!!

Keep smiling & thanks for support xxx

No worries (As the Aussies say, but what a ridiculous expression: we've all got loads of 'em)

Mike

[clare]

Well I'm hope i'm not tempting fate but after 7 wks i got my van back! 1.5k lighter mind you

I've had her back for a week and if i'm honest i've gotta get my confidence back with her but fingers x'ed from now on.

roll on summer xxx

[mikeonb4c]

Well I'm hope i'm not tempting fate but after 7 wks i got my van back! 1.5k lighter mind you

I've had her back for a week and if i'm honest i've gotta get my confidence back with her but fingers x'ed from now on.

roll on summer xxx

Great news, and I presume a low coolant alarm has been fitted. Put the old girl on probabtion for a bit (local running, carry some spare 50/50 coolant mix just in case etc.) until your confidence returns. But a properly fitted new head (from a good source) and gasket should go on to give long service. I can't remember now, but what caused the overheating problem originally (was it just loss of coolant?). Did you have a new Mazda thermostat fitted whilst the work was being done? Is it worth fitting a temp. warning device to be safe (the Mason Alarm is cheap and easy for a mechanic to fit)?

Focus on how lovely it is driving end enjoying the benefits of a Bongo - that should help to restore +veness

[clare]

Hi Mike

Yes I had the coolant alarm fitted. I'll look into the Mason alarm - thanks. Not too sure re the thermostat being fitted - i'd have to check the invoice(!) I got the cylinder head from Ian Taylor.

Fingers x'ed that'll be it for a while - i so so hope so x

[dandywarhol]

It would be utter madness not to replace the thermostat after a £1500 cooling system repair job!!!!!

[8etty 8ongo]

Well I'm hope i'm not tempting fate but after 7 wks i got my van back! 1.5k lighter mind you

I've had her back for a week and if i'm honest i've gotta get my confidence back with her but fingers x'ed from now on.

roll on summer xxx

hi clare, know how you feel there. went through something similar at christmas (the words head gasket are no longer allowed to be used in our home ) anyway, we've had our betty back about 4 weeks now i think and i've been watching the gauge thing like a hawk. noticed today thoough that i only peeked at the gauge twice whilst out and about so the confidence must be coming back. stick with it, it'll come and you'll soon be having that much in your bongo that you'll forget the starting problems - good luck and enjoy, we certainly are

[mikeonb4c]

It would be utter madness not to replace the thermostat after a £1500 cooling system repair job!!!!!

Indeed. Check with them Clare and have it done. I know its more cost (though the mechanic ought to be a bit embarassed at not having considered it if they didn't fit a new one, and cost of the job should be quite cheap, with luck). And then start enjoying the Bongo, especially in this lovely weather