Bongo Fury

I think my Rad has gone. Its been still for a few weeks and not run. Dunno why, yesterday I had a feeling and ran it local for a mile or so to warm it up, and when I got back I had a leak at the front. First time its leaked there to my knowledge, but the stat was open as the top of the rad was very hot, but the bottom stone cold. I guess a blocked rad with back pressure causing one of the pipes to leak.

I have contaced JDP Motors in Milton Keynes and asked them to come and collect it and replace the rad. I hope this will solve the issue and get ontop of the niggling problems with the cooling system.

I got their name off the members area, so lets hope they are as good as the recommendation.

Hippo

If the bottom of the rad was stone cold, how do you know the stat was open? The top of the rad will be warm as you have warm coolant flowing into it & then back out from the top into the expansion tank when the stat is closed. To check whether the stat is opening, the bottom hose coming out of the rad will have to be warm while the bongo is stationary with the engine running, take it for a run, leave the engine running, then within 5 minutes or so (depending on the state of the stat) the bottom hose should get warm, which indicates the stat has opened allowing warm coolant through.
Far more likely one of the hoses is just old, check them all, worth replacing the stat (especially if there's any doubt about its efficiency) & backflushing the rad as well as using a proper chemical rad flush to flush the whole system.

hmm okay, sound advice. So the top part of the rad is part of the flow and will be hot anyhow when the engine is running? I was a bit upset with the van yesterday and did not look too closely.

I think I will ask for the rad to be changed and the stat too whilst it is dry, I just want it to work. I have resigned myself to the inevitable bill. Now I have a visible puddle under the van, its time to act before I do any real damage. If it is just hose pipes, then all the better.

We might buy a caravan this year, and if so a new rad and stat is gonna be peice of mind.

Apart from this puddle it is running great.

its in the garage now, thay came and picked it up this morning, and they have confirmed that the radiator has gone. I have asked for the stat to be changed as well and they are reckoning a quick turnaround. I am pleased so far, but lets see when it comes back. Price seems reasonable too.

I paid £149 + vat for a rad for mine last week, about £15.00 I think for a stat. Fitted it myself. Make sure the garage is aware of the Bongo cooling system problems when filling it up or you could have more problems due to trapped air (not pleasant that ).

The garage is bongo forum recommended. I hope they know what they are doing.

They think the head is gone, and they need to source one from somewhere. They wanted to pressure test and crack test the existing one, I said not to bother, I will source one for them asking on here for help and they can move all the bits acrross from the old one.

Now anyone got any recommendations as to where to get a head and relavent bits from please?

I guess I will need the head, gasket, bolts etc...

TIA

Hippo

£599 members/£629 non members via the Bongo Shop on 0114-2550836. Price includes VAT & postage (but you are too late for next day delivery now). Comes with all bolts, gaskets (rocker cover, head, exhaust manifold, inlet manifold) & washers. Includes valves, adjusters and timing belt pegs. 1 year manufacturers warranty.

V. sorry to hear of problems Hippo

One thing to impress upon the garage (have a search on here) is Simon Jones advice about the importance of 'flatting' the block etc. before the new head is fitted, as otherwise there is a risk the head gasket may blow again due to not being evenly clamping (I guess )

mikeonb4c wrote:V. sorry to hear of problems Hippo

One thing to impress upon the garage (have a search on here) is Simon Jones advice about the importance of 'flatting' the block etc. before the new head is fitted, as otherwise there is a risk the head gasket may blow again due to not being evenly clamping (I guess )

Thanks, sage advice. I was told if I supply the head it will not be warrantied. I want to have the work warrantied for a year for the cost of the repairs. How can a garage warrant the work, but not the parts?

How can a garage warrant the work, but not the parts?

If a garage does 'insured' (warranted) work, their insurance covers the work done by them and the parts supplied by them. Their insurance can't cover work not done by them... and it can't cover parts not supplied by them.

But the company you buy a part from, has to sell you a part that's 'fit for purpose'. They would be at fault if the part wasn't 'fit for purpose'. Whether they would cover the labour involved in taking it all off again is another matter.

Why not point the garage at Ian, then they can warranty the work - simplez

Doone wrote:

How can a garage warrant the work, but not the parts?

If a garage does 'insured' (warranted) work, their insurance covers the work done by them and the parts supplied by them. Their insurance can't cover work not done by them... and it can't cover parts not supplied by them.

But the company you buy a part from, has to sell you a part that's 'fit for purpose'. They would be at fault if the part wasn't 'fit for purpose'. Whether they would cover the labour involved in taking it all off again is another matter.

It sadly all makes sense, I just hope their approved supplier is not a rip off merchant. At least I know how much I can get one for, lets see what they are going to charge.

Do you know what makes them think the head has gone? Did you have any problems before the leaking rad?

francophile1947 wrote:Do you know what makes them think the head has gone? Did you have any problems before the leaking rad?

I have had no problems before. I have a masons device fitted and it sits a 1o clock for normal temp.

They fitted the new radiator and bled the system, it sits idling at 1oclock for 5-10 minutes then shoots up to hot. Did it each time after bleeding three times, and the mechanic rang me to ask for a bit of background as it was puzzling him and no doubt causing consternation at his end. I told them nothing to suggest any over heating problems before, and so they did it again, still it over heats after idling for a time. It has never done that for me.

I asked for a gas test on the cylinders, whichthey did and rang back today to tell me they could not complete as there was too much back pressure and water coming back(?). At this point my choices were that I will have to pay for the head to come off and for tests to be done, or leave it over heating. So after hearing the price for testing, ontop of the radiator work I had already had done I decided to skip that and put a new one one. The difference was £300 and I know once it is done its going to work, rather than pay for the testing and then pay for a new head on top.

Cant not do it, cannot leave it, so it gets changed I guess.

missfixit70 wrote:Why not point the garage at Ian, then they can warranty the work - simplez

I think this is the answer, I am awating their price for their sourced part, and I will compare them at this point. I am sure they would find Ian's supplied part more than up to the job and be happy covering it. I am not testing, I am going to change it regardless. I just want it to work right.