Bongo Fury

Hi everyone, we have just returned from a trip to France, 1772 miles, the Bongo did not put a foot wrong, went like a dream but! the temperature gauge (modified with the higher resistor) which has always been a bit on the high side went very high. When we climbed steep hills, I should say the Bongo was fully loaded, I have a trailer with a motorbike weighing about 700kg and the outside temperature was over 80 deg C, the gauge went all the way over to the wrong side of the line almost to the H. I have an I alert fitted and this is set to 100 deg C I kept an eye on it and it never went over 93 at any time, as soon as we reached the top of the hill and started down, the gauge fell quickly, even in traffic, still in over 80 deg , the gauge climbed and fell back when the fans cut in. I don't think I have any problem with the Bongo but how can I tell if it overheats in future if the gauge goes so high in normal conditions? Is it OK to rely on the I alert?

Any advice welcome,

Thanks

John

Where is the I alert sensor mounted? May be worth altering the value of the resistor on the temp gauge mod slightly to bring it down within range a bit?
Has the thermostat been replaced at any time within your ownership, could be it's getting a bit "tired" & operating a bit higher? Are you sure the rad is fully clear ?

missfixit70 wrote:Where is the I alert sensor mounted? May be worth altering the value of the resistor on the temp gauge mod slightly to bring it down within range a bit?
Has the thermostat been replaced at any time within your ownership, could be it's getting a bit "tired" & operating a bit higher? Are you sure the rad is fully clear ?

the I alert is on the rear of the head and I replaced the 'stat about a year ago along with a flush and new coolant I am sure there is no fault with the Bongo the last hill was very long and very steep with the load and trailer I took it easy but it was so hot outside the ac could only just cope and the rear was not on. If it was going to boil it would have done it then, I think I may just have to increase the resistor again and possibly change the sender as well.

How high did yer modded Mazda gauge actually rise before falling..?
& at what speed were you travelling??

Should be ok then, wasn't suggesting it was going to overheat , just that if the stat was getting tired, it may not be lifting as high or as soon as it should, was it a Mazda stat or a blueprint or other copy?
New sender may well bring it back within range a bit, if the system itself is all operating as it should.
May be worth looking at this thread re the I alert sensor placement - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ilit=probe
Doesn't sound like anythings too much amiss to me, it was having to work hard in high temps with heavy loads & seemed to be doing pretty much what it should.

missfixit70 wrote: Doesn't sound like anythings too much amiss to me, it was having to work hard in high temps with heavy loads & seemed to be doing pretty much what it should.

I had the same when i was climbing the hills in Luxembourg, got up to 93-94, but no more. Considering the hills, and the fact I was pulling 1300kg van, the engine was just working a little harder. No problems on the flat, the temp never got above 87 in normal conditions

Sounds like a good healthy cooling system to me.

I wouldn't be that worried either....

was down in devon begining of july, up and down the moors around the 93/95 deg mark with a TM2 so sounds about right

2 belts and a set of braces for me im affraid.
i would fit a new temp sender and a new fan switch both gen mazda, (total £50) if you have never done them.

Thanks for the advice folks, will replace the sender first and if it is still the same then put a higher resistor on the gauge