Bongo Fury

Went out this morning to find a pool of coolant in front of van. No
coolant in tank residue of leak over the grill. It looks like the rad gave
up after i had switched off as the alarm didnt sound. It did when i tried
to check. My question is(eventally) after toppng up can i slowley drive
1 mile to a friendly garage or have it recovered.
Alan

Hi
Get it recovered to a Bongo SPECIALIST, or you'll almost certainly find that local companies won't be up to the bleeding process
Cheers
Helen

Not worth risking driving it.......DO FIND A BONGO SAVVY GARAGE TO DO THE JOB

Cheers folks the garage is good they have a few bongos that they service and repair
its mainly whether to drive or lift. Lift it will be
cheers Alan

For the cost of recovery your decision is right.

helen&tony wrote:Hi
Get it recovered to a Bongo SPECIALIST, or you'll almost certainly find that local companies won't be up to the bleeding process
Cheers
Helen

haydn callow wrote:Not worth risking driving it.......DO FIND A BONGO SAVVY GARAGE TO DO THE JOB

helen and Haydn are not putting too fine a point on it. 'Specialist' and 'Bongo savvy' are the watchwords.

A number of people have told me that 'such and such' a garage services Bongos, but what exactly does servicing mean? The jobs like oil and filter changes or brake consumables? maybe the occasional suspension job? A bit of panel beating and spraying?

Major work? Probably not in most cases.

However, the cooling system is Bongo's Achilles heel and is not for someone to learn on unless they are totally committed to getting it right before thrashing it down the highway. The person with the most vested interest in getting it right is the owner which explains why many have taken the trouble to thoroughly acquaint themselves with the complexity of the system.

Were it not for this site, far more Bongos would be getting wrecked through lack of specialist knowledge.


Frank

Hi
At the moment it's a bit of "do we stay, or do we try another country"...but wherever it is, I'm determined to teach the local garage how to bleed a Bongo...
Cheers
Helen

Can you bleed it yourself. Then get it to garage.If not don't risk it overheating is the one thing that can kill bongos.

If radiator is leaking that much, it is unlikely to hold the pressure generated by driving it even a short distance.

Simon Jones wrote:If radiator is leaking that much, it is unlikely to hold the pressure generated by driving it even a short distance.

Might not have time to pressurise on a short trip - say 5-10 mins?

If it was just one mile down the road, it could be bled, allowed to cool down and then be driven without the expansion cap and if I were in that position, I would probably risk it.

DIY rad replacement is very do-able with basic tools although you need access under the van to disconnect the pipes to the ATF cooler and they need to be plugged up.

We are having van recovered to County cars in Hove.After talking with them
It might only be split hoses, fingers crossed. First breakdown in 3 years.
Cheers Alan

Van now all fixed,
£60 recovery and £258 new rad, flush and bleed, all thanks to Colin at County Cars of Portslade.
Alan

That's probably the best £60 you've ever spent !

definitely the righ call, and County Cars are well thought of.

Glad you're fixed.