Bongo Fury

'fraid you have the wrong bloke by a long way....I am defo not qualified in any way in this field, I just noticed the cracks and now it seems so are a few other peeps......there are better informed owners on here who may like to take up your kind offer. A couple spring to mind but I will let them approach you if they feel capable.

IOM3 wrote:Haydn, Hi,

I'm a member of IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining) and would happily have the header tanks examined to determine the failure mode.

As you are probably already aware as an experienced and qualified technical expert, there is forthcoming legislation regarding 'Lightweighting for low emission vehicles' that is driving considerable research into the use of plastics, composites and other materials to not only reduce weight and therefore emissions, but the whole life recycle of materials used in vehicle manufacture.

As you know long term operating experience is beneficial to reinforce theoretical knowledge.

Would you be so kind as to send the header tanks to me. I'll advise the details in due course. Clearly any failures are of interest to us.

Would you be prepared to assist our research, which will involve meticulous record keeping and data validation. We can't have spurious data corrupting our research, you understand.

By the way, are you a member of an Engineering Council accredited Institution? Well worth the annual fee for access to technical reports alone.

KInd regards

CP

PS is there an email address we can communicate via?

What an interesting email. I used to be quite involved with materials scientists (centred around cement and concrete, and related pozzolanic material such as pulverised fuel ash and ground blast furnace slag). I learned a fair bit about the regulatory and the lobbying role of the likes of British Standards Institute, as well as the importance to commercial parties of having representatives on their committees (no doubt famliar stuff to you).

I'm not at all surprised to hear that there is a drive on use of light and recyclable materials. On the other hand, and like many others, I rue the change from metal to plastic in the manufacture of so many engineering parts, especially as it seems often there such variation in durability (my Black&Decker plastic electric hovermower is still functioning perfectly, without cracks, after 25years continuous use, but plastic items bought more recently have not been nearly so durable). Since sustainability ought to feature in the equation alongside weight, recyclability, energy to make, environmental hazard factor etc., I often wonder whether the use of plastic is in some respects retrograde. Of course, commercial peddlars will find it very helpful to them to promote plastic, as it is a flexible material when it comes to rapidly changing market demand. Just like concrete, it can be moulded to any new shape just by making new moulds. And just like concrete, it can be made to look very smart on Day 1, even though over time the incorrect use of materials in the mix etc. may cause premature deterioration (especially in harsh environments). In some ways I feel likewise about Bongos. They may not be the most fuel efficient car (though their fuel consumption halves if we drive them half as much - food for thought), but in preserving one, you are at least getting rid of the need to make 1 new car, for the time being. And being relatively simple technology, their running/repair costs can often be lower. And their usefulness helps in lowering other ungreen costs (holidays without flying, buying and moving recycled good on ebay, car sharing etc.)

Anyway, starting with the simple stuff, I think it would be great if someone could get a tired / time expired header tank off to you for analysis, and it would be really interesting to receive the 'coroners report'.

Thanks for posting - and welcome

My email is obtainable from my webshop (below) ... it would be interesting to hear from you and find out who/where you are.

mikeonb4c wrote:

IOM3 wrote:Haydn, Hi,

I'm a member of IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining) and would happily have the header tanks examined to determine the failure mode.

As you are probably already aware as an experienced and qualified technical expert, there is forthcoming legislation regarding 'Lightweighting for low emission vehicles' that is driving considerable research into the use of plastics, composites and other materials to not only reduce weight and therefore emissions, but the whole life recycle of materials used in vehicle manufacture.

As you know long term operating experience is beneficial to reinforce theoretical knowledge.

Would you be so kind as to send the header tanks to me. I'll advise the details in due course. Clearly any failures are of interest to us.

Would you be prepared to assist our research, which will involve meticulous record keeping and data validation. We can't have spurious data corrupting our research, you understand.

By the way, are you a member of an Engineering Council accredited Institution? Well worth the annual fee for access to technical reports alone.

KInd regards

CP

PS is there an email address we can communicate via?

What an interesting email. I used to be quite involved with materials scientists (centred around cement and concrete, and related pozzolanic material such as pulverised fuel ash and ground blast furnace slag). I learned a fair bit about the regulatory and the lobbying role of the likes of British Standards Institute, as well as the importance to commercial parties of having representatives on their committees (no doubt famliar stuff to you).

I'm not at all surprised to hear that there is a drive on use of light and recyclable materials. On the other hand, and like many others, I rue the change from metal to plastic in the manufacture of so many engineering parts, especially as it seems often there such variation in durability (my Black&Decker plastic electric hovermower is still functioning perfectly, without cracks, after 25years continuous use, but plastic items bought more recently have not been nearly so durable). Since sustainability ought to feature in the equation alongside weight, recyclability, energy to make, environmental hazard factor etc., I often wonder whether the use of plastic is in some respects retrograde. Of course, commercial peddlars will find it very helpful to them to promote plastic, as it is a flexible material when it comes to rapidly changing market demand. Just like concrete, it can be moulded to any new shape just by making new moulds. And just like concrete, it can be made to look very smart on Day 1, even though over time the incorrect use of materials in the mix etc. may cause premature deterioration (especially in harsh environments). In some ways I feel likewise about Bongos. They may not be the most fuel efficient car (though their fuel consumption halves if we drive them half as much - food for thought), but in preserving one, you are at least getting rid of the need to make 1 new car, for the time being. And being relatively simple technology, their running/repair costs can often be lower. And their usefulness helps in lowering other ungreen costs (holidays without flying, buying and moving recycled good on ebay, car sharing etc.)

Anyway, starting with the simple stuff, I think it would be great if someone could get a tired / time expired header tank off to you for analysis, and it would be really interesting to receive the 'coroners report'.

Thanks for posting - and welcome

I would like to know the outcome of any findings too....sadly I don't have a tank to spare you for any testing you might carry out......I'm sure one might be donated.......and Plastics is not my game........ can I add though....even if of little value......... that the Bongo tanks are obviously "home grown" and could be of much different materials than EU produced components, probably rubbish as you will probably have an idea of their chemical make up already.

Good luck in obtaining a tank for analysis and look forward to findings and if the conclusion points to any weak or stress areas to the Header tank and to what conditions any stress or weakness damage of this kind....could occur

IOM3.There was a tank on ebay yesterday but now removed as it had the start of cracks in it.
However ..here is another
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-EXPAN ... 3a64eba06f

'spect it will also show signs of cracks so you will know exactly what the problem is.
Really good to have another wizz kid on this forum.

and

Good luck with your research.

Note :- Haydn Alarms will be happy to sponsor the cost of this tank if you get it.

IMO3.....awaiting your reply !!

daveblueozzie wrote:

mikexgough wrote: Is that a JAS supplied pump Dave?...

yes its a JAS pump £38 plus delivery.

Dave....as your fitting your new pump this weekend, can you report back if you notice any differences in the Bongo temperatures with the 8 blade impeller over the original 6 blade type, when your done all of your jobs of course I forgot to add that before......................... the thread has now gone on a tangent to all header tanks rather than Water pumps.

Hi Mike
OOoohhh , I don't know about off at a tangent....Wait 'till I start asking MikeonB4C about Blast Furnace slag....I have an interesting question... ...

Mikeon B4C...you have P.M.
Cheers
Helen

Had to put off doing the water pump and other engine related jobs, Ive been talking to Simon the body-shop guy and have asked him to do a few small extra jobs for me on the bongo.
He has kinda got used to me now, buggering up his time table for getting it finished, i will deffo get the bongo back before next Saturday (Simon's going on holiday).
I am afraid all you techie guys (and gals) will have to wait another week before you can see by bits.

IOM3 wrote:Haydn, Hi,

I'm a member of IOM3 (Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining) and would happily have the header tanks examined to determine the failure mode.

As you are probably already aware as an experienced and qualified technical expert, there is forthcoming legislation regarding 'Lightweighting for low emission vehicles' that is driving considerable research into the use of plastics, composites and other materials to not only reduce weight and therefore emissions, but the whole life recycle of materials used in vehicle manufacture.

As you know long term operating experience is beneficial to reinforce theoretical knowledge.

Would you be so kind as to send the header tanks to me. I'll advise the details in due course. Clearly any failures are of interest to us.

Would you be prepared to assist our research, which will involve meticulous record keeping and data validation. We can't have spurious data corrupting our research, you understand.

By the way, are you a member of an Engineering Council accredited Institution? Well worth the annual fee for access to technical reports alone.

KInd regards

CP

PS is there an email address we can communicate via?

I think we all know who you are......come on....nice try...emerge from your burrow and i.d. yourself....a real man would !!!

daveblueozzie wrote: Had to put off doing the water pump ....................I am afraid all you techie guys (and gals) will have to wait another week before you can see by bits.

C'mon Dave. I've rescheduled my whole weekend so I can see your findings. You bottled out or summat?

widdowson2008 wrote: C'mon Dave. I've rescheduled my whole weekend so I can see your findings. You bottled out or summat?

Its been a bit of a wasted weekend in one way for me as well, three days off and no bongo to work on , my own fault .but it will be worth it ,honest.
Next weekend is deffo water pump and the rest of the jobs to do, even if it rains.

daveblueozzie wrote:

widdowson2008 wrote: C'mon Dave. I've rescheduled my whole weekend so I can see your findings. You bottled out or summat?

Its been a bit of a wasted weekend in one way for me as well, three days off and no bongo to work on , my own fault .but it will be worth it ,honest.
Next weekend is deffo water pump and the rest of the jobs to do, even if it rains.

Excuses excuses excuses. Ya should have been a politician.

OK - so next weekend we'll se WADS of pics then? Don't let Ste get near it. I don't want it all polishing. I want to see RAW data.

widdowson2008 wrote: Don't let Ste get near it. I don't want it all polishing. I want to see RAW data.

don't worry i will make sure he don't clean em up in any way.
He even mentioned getting heat resistant paint ,to paint the outside of the new water pump , i said why no ones gonna see it.

blobber wrote:would a stainless steel tank be classed as a pimp? In which case steve, count yourself out.

Oh no Alan... An alloy or stainless tank would be preventative maintenance... Purely coincidental that it shines and may get the odd wipe with a cloth here or there...