first 6 month service help!

[nattydread]

Hi all,
My bongo had a full service 6 months ago (camb belt, filters etc) and is now in need of a small service(oil change etc). my main concern is can this be done at any local garage or one that specialises in bongos? also any advice on price and things that should not be missed out of the 6 month service would be very helpfull!
I do very little millage in the bongo as it is only used for local trips at weekend and holidays- does this matter in term of the service?

Thanks

Nattydread

Roll on the warm weather so we can all get out in our vans!!

[mikeonb4c]

Wotcha natty. I reckon the Bongo hardly needs anything doing if it had a major / baseline service 6 months ago. Oil change recommended every 3000 miles but some have done many times that without a change. Short cold engine journeys usually knacker oil much quicker than long ones so might be good to do oil. Not very hard to do that yourself (I bought a Pela pump, which makes it an absolute doddle). Other than that, its not hard (and a good idea) to whip each wheel off and check you have plenty of lining on the brake pads. Again, very easy to do. Finally, I'd lift the engine covers and do a good visual inspection of fan belts; coolant hoses (check none are rubbing / chafing against anything esp. bleed pipe where it passes over alternator) as these are all ageing rubber unless renewed; signs of oil leaks, including diesel leak from fuel injector; start engine and listen for any unusual noises, wit haircon on, headlamps on etc. to load the engine; check fluid levels for auto transmission, power steering, brakes etc.

All this has a labour cost if a garage does it, but is easy and free to do yourself and invaluable education.

If you are a mechanic and I've made you suck an egg - muchos apologios mi amigo yo soy embarrassarende grande

PS - others may think of things I've missed

[nattydread]

thanks for the advice,

I am not mechanicaly minded at all and do not have a clue! although i would love to learn! can you get a mannual for the engine? would be great to save a bit of money, local garage wanted £120 for a simple oil change and a look over the van!! but i have no choice.

[scanner]

thanks for the advice,

I am not mechanicaly minded at all and do not have a clue! although i would love to learn! can you get a mannual for the engine? would be great to save a bit of money, local garage wanted £120 for a simple oil change and a look over the van!! but i have no choice.

There is a list of Bongo friendly garages in the member's section and somebody gave a testimonial to somewhere called "Lakeside Garage Services" which is somewhere in the south east, sorry but your location of "South East" is too vague for me to know if it is near you.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... t=Lakeside

Personally I wouldn't bother with "every 6 months" just go on mileage and cut out any unnecessarily short trips, as they are the real engine killer.

[Bob]

Wotcha natty. I reckon the Bongo hardly needs anything doing if it had a major / baseline service 6 months ago. Oil change recommended every 3000 miles but some have done many times that without a change. Short cold engine journeys usually knacker oil much quicker than long ones so might be good to do oil. Not very hard to do that yourself (I bought a Pela pump, which makes it an absolute doddle). Other than that, its not hard (and a good idea) to whip each wheel off and check you have plenty of lining on the brake pads. Again, very easy to do. Finally, I'd lift the engine covers and do a good visual inspection of fan belts; coolant hoses (check none are rubbing / chafing against anything esp. bleed pipe where it passes over alternator) as these are all ageing rubber unless renewed; signs of oil

I put a couple of garden hose off cuts to protect the bleed hose in the areas where it touches. Watch your fingers and just cut aobut 6" of hose length ways with a Stanley knife.

[Kentish Paul]

Hi Nattydread.

I can tell you of a garage NOT to patronise in the South East (see my other mail on servicing woes).

Paul