Bongo Fury

Iwannabongo wrote:Thanks everyone for all your helpful info
I have been away the last 4 days in the bongo and just seen all the comments regarding my mucky sludge.
I have just used a halfords anti-freeze tester on the coolant and it states protection level is low on a scale of none, low, medium and high.
When I tested it the coolant was very clear with an orange tint, but when you touch the bottom of the tank it goes a very murky orange colour which I now know is not such good news.
I have checked around the header tank and there is no obvious sign of any previous leaks from boiling over.
Next task is to get it flushed out, which I am not over confident in doing myself so want to take it to a garage to get done properly.
I noticed Haydn that you are from Somerset. Do you know if Bell Hill Garage would do a good job of flushing and refilling coolant correctly or has anyone else used these before to do this?
It would be handy to know before I give them a ring, as I wouldn't want someone just to empty old coolant and refill it again(I don't have a lot of trust in garages anyway, let alone on my Bongo)
Thanks again for all your helpful comments,
Justin

mikexgough wrote:Seen many vehicles, Bongo's included, with brown coolant, as many have already said , in the main....... Poor coolant management is the main issue and that includes rads,hoses and cooling system components - header tanks do yellow with age/uv/hot cold cycles and can "hold" brown coolant in the tank like soap scum in a sink.
Not always a boil or "hot" incident.......but could be - fundementals 1st before conclusions drawn.
Low mileage vehicles are well known to manifest issues,not just with cooling, I see plenty of low mileage, looked after,garaged,cherished older motors where the new owner likes to show off their original unrestored vehicle, within a short time - failures occur, head gaskets, hoses,oil seals etc & as we know many Bongo's are low miles and could show similar issues. I would be happy to suggest that old coolant,lack of use/mileage is a big factor for crud and the radiator a prime spot to collect it when you add in the cooling system circulation with the quite feasable hot/cold cycles that never reach full temps - Jaylee's cooling system colour conundrem also is valid and shows poor maintainence ......

haydn callow wrote:I think you may misunderstand me.....I quite agree that the "crud" just builds up over the years....what I am saying is that...."rusty coloured" coolant can be a result of this crud in the bottom of the radiator being disturbed by a near "boil up".
I am not saying the engine has suffered a massive overheat.....although this would also stir it up even more.

The staining of the header tank I think is more "ageing" although it does look much worse after a layer of "crud" has been deposited in there.

Iwannabongo wrote:Just had my mucky coolant flushed and filled at Bell Hill today, as I got too scared to try it myself
Thanks for recommending them everyone, I can see why.
What a nice bunch of people. I don't think I have ever come across such genuine people working in a garage before
They said it will probably need another flush in 6-12 months if more muck builds up again, so will keep a check on it.
They also said that it could be caused by lack of care by previous owners or a past boil up as a few suggested
Will defo be going back to them with any future servicing and repairs.
Thanks again people for recommending them and keep up the good work

jaylee wrote:

Iwannabongo wrote:Just had my mucky coolant flushed and filled at Bell Hill today, as I got too scared to try it myself
Thanks for recommending them everyone, I can see why.
What a nice bunch of people. I don't think I have ever come across such genuine people working in a garage before
They said it will probably need another flush in 6-12 months if more muck builds up again, so will keep a check on it.
They also said that it could be caused by lack of care by previous owners or a past boil up as a few suggested
Will defo be going back to them with any future servicing and repairs.
Thanks again people for recommending them and keep up the good work

Glad you had a good experience..!

Just out of interest.. Did you have the word "booster" written on the header/filler tank perchance??

Iwannabongo wrote:

jaylee wrote:

Iwannabongo wrote:Just had my mucky coolant flushed and filled at Bell Hill today, as I got too scared to try it myself
Thanks for recommending them everyone, I can see why.
What a nice bunch of people. I don't think I have ever come across such genuine people working in a garage before
They said it will probably need another flush in 6-12 months if more muck builds up again, so will keep a check on it.
They also said that it could be caused by lack of care by previous owners or a past boil up as a few suggested
Will defo be going back to them with any future servicing and repairs.
Thanks again people for recommending them and keep up the good work

Glad you had a good experience..!

Just out of interest.. Did you have the word "booster" written on the header/filler tank perchance??

Hi Jaylee,
I don't have the word "booster" on the header tank. What is that all about