New owner and new to forum

[ardee]

Hello all. My husband and I have just purchased our first Bongo. We purchased it from a lovely couple just over the border in Suffolk and we collected it 24 hours ago. The van is a 51 plate with side conversion and appears to have been really well cared for. We had a friend who knows his stuff check it over for us and as far as he could tell it was sound. The previous owners have also put a new MoT on it which it passed with no advisories. We are regular tent campers but have never owned or slept in a camper van before, but as most of our friends have campers we decided if you can't beat them, join them.

Are there any particular things we should be aware of or watch out for on our new van? Any particular tips or advice about anything at all to do with Bongos? Anything we should know? All advice and info gratefully received.

[ardee]

I forgot to add that I want to call it Pongo the Um-Bongo (no it doesn't smell!) but he isn't that keen, he wants a "happier" name!

[Scooby2004]

Hello, we too are about to pick up our Bongo....I've named her Scooby...from what I have read...the Coolant levels and over heating need to be looked out for....I was wondering about getting her waxoyled, as this is one of our advisories...

Happy Bongoing...

[cmm303]

Welcome to Bongoing!

There is an FAQ section in the forum. Many items are for when things don't go quite right but some are good background stuff.

One covers buying a bongo. Though that event is passed it covers a lot of stuff to watch out for which may still be useful. http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... =43&t=7229

With maintenance, if the cooling system is involved on a diesel or petrol V6 you must use a Bongo specialist or a mechanic who is prepared to give time and patience to diligently follow the very specific Bongo requirements.

As with any older vehicle, plan in a cam belt change if due or unknown.

[haydn callow]

Which engine do you have??
If it hasn't got one....fit a low coolant alarm.

[ardee]

2L petrol. How do I check if it has a coolant alarm fitted?

[mikeWalsall]

There are several makes of coolant alarms .. but look at the plastic coolant filler tank to see if there is a wire screwed onto the container ..



With the better ones when you turn the ignition on a LED should light up and a buzzer sound for a second or two to self check the bulb and coolant ..

http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk

[Bongolia]

Welcome aboard people
You have bought yourselves the Swiss Army Knife of camper-vans.
This site has a wealth of information.
When I joined I spent ages just reading through the various posts on here.
You can learn a lot just by doing that.
There are not many problems that someone else on here hasn't experienced and dealt with and they are a friendly bunch.
Good luck.

[Parhelion]

Welcome - this is a great forum. I'm also new - first short camping trip this week!

Re the coolant alarm issue - could somebody please explain (in easy terms!) why this is a particular need for a Bongo? I've seen it mentioned a lot but the reason hasn't yet sunk in! Probably makes perfect sense to tech minded folk. Mine's 2004 2l petrol with no coolant alarm (yet). Thanks

[haydn callow]

Because of the age of the Bongos, the coolant hoses (and because the engine is in the middle there are a lot of them(about 30)) are coming to the end of their lives.....if a hose decides to give way the coolant is lost and the engine will overheat.
Fitting a alarm will, in most cases prevent this overheating. The 2lt does not seem so prone to this but never the less it is a good idea to fit one.

[Parhelion]

Thanks! Does that also mean the newer the vehicle, the less likely the problem is? Do other vehicles suffer from the same problem? Is it possible to dislodge a pipe travelling over rough ground etc?

[cmm303]

Thanks! Does that also mean the newer the vehicle, the less likely the problem is?

younger bongos are definitely not immune. From the few I've seen, the metal pipes seem to rust and leak earlier on new shape vehicles than the older vehicles.

Is it possible to dislodge a pipe travelling over rough ground etc?

pipes and hoses behind the driver seat to rear heater matrix are most vulnerable. Bongo does not have enough ground clearance for rough terrain. Easy to ground the tray under the engine which is much lower than coolant pipes.

[Parhelion]

Thanks, that's very useful

[ardee]

How much does it cost to have a rising roof fitted?

[cmm303]

How much does it cost to have a rising roof fitted?

£2.5k to £3k. Converters may do deals if part of a conversion.