Finding oil leak before undersealing help please

[meplus5c]

Hi all.

My beloved Bongo is currently off the road until after Christmas. And I've been thinking about all the little jobs that need doing.

There's been an oil leak noted on the past 2 MOT's, the oil level hasn't dropped noticeably in the 7 months I have owned the vehicle. I'd like to get the van undersealed as I don't think it has ever been done. I want to try and get the leak found and fixed before I do this. There are various areas of rust, so I'm hoping undersealing will prevent any structural issues.

We had a garage look under the van when we bought it, and the guy said to get the underside steam cleaned so we can pinpoint the leak. Is it safe to have a Bongo steam cleaned? I've attached a couple of photos of oily areas in the engine and underneath. I think to find the leak rpoperly we'd have to have the whole engine cleaned unless someone can help. If I'm honest, I'm a single mum and relied on my ex for all things mechanical so I'm not really car savvy, I can point to a few bits and know where to refill fluids but that's pretty much my limit.

Any help or advice finding the source of the leak would be gratefully received, and please feel free to point out any other problems you may see. Thanks so much.

Oil in/on all sections with arrows.

[mikeonb4c]

First very common culprit is rocker cover gasket - diesel Bongos often end up weeping a bit from this. You might cure it by gently tightening the bolts a bit but if the budget will run to it the best thing is to have the cover off and fit a new gasket. You could get the tappet clearances checked and adjusted at the same time for a quieter engine.

Other possibilites are EGR system (i believe i read), or it could even be a leaking diesel pump though from the pics it does seem to be coming fron higher up than that (though its very possible to have any or all of these three contributing, with the leaked stuff mingling).

As you say, an engine clean might help isolate the source. Personally i'd be wary of allowing a steam cleaner near engine parts. I cleaned mine years back by brushing on gunk and spraying gunk into inaccessible areas using a paraffin gun and air compressor (you could probably achieve a similar result with a hand sprayer) then removing the gunk using water in the paraffin gun. I worked fron the top and used polythene tenting to protect Bongo interior, though it still stank of gunk for a day or two.

Steam cleaning bodywork prior to waxoyling is a good idea but make sure the bodywork is allowed to dry off before waxoyling. Also, this process can't mend what is already rusted away and waxoyl makes the welders work harder as it is flammable. So if any welding work is needed, get it done ahead of waxoyling. Once waxoyled, a welder will need an assistant standing by with a fire extinguisher, upping labour costs.

[meplus5c]

Thanks mike.

I really didn't want someone spraying steam around under there and making anything worse.

I've seen gaskets online for around £15, I have someone who may be able to do this depending on ease of fitting, unless you think it would be impossible to do or preferable to get it done in a garage. I don't know how difficult it would be to take this area apart. Maybe the gasket would help with the top section, at least it's a start.

My budget is almost non-existent currently. I'm hoping the van will pass it's MOT with no or minimum work, as if not it will be sitting on the drive until January. I don't think there will be any welding needed. I'm booking an MOT in a week or so though, fingers crossed. All the rust I can see looks pretty superficial and there are no holes or flaking.

[mikeonb4c]

I don't think changing a rocker gasket should be too tricky though the gear selector knob etc has to come off (and there are one or two tricks to that which have flummoxed some so read up on how or ask on here before starting) and then centre console metalwork so a bit of time needed esp first time done.

[Bob]

Sound advice from Mike.

I'm guessing the leak is only an 'advisory' so if the level on the dip stick is hardly dropping I'd just put it in for MoT and see how you go.

Also make sure you take it to a Bongo Friendly garage, it's my experience that garages who specialise in a particular marque can be 'understanding' of a types particular quirks.

Obviously not safety related, but that tiny weep from the rocker cover is common.

And definitely Gunk, stiff brush, and small sprayer.

2 & 3 From Poundland.

[Northern Bongolow]

pic 1
this is the rocker cover gasket from bongo fury shop.

https://bongoland.co.uk/product/rocker-gasket/

you will also need the tubes , rubber washers and bolts.

https://igmaynard.co.uk/bongoland/wp-co ... ashers.jpg.

the gasket leaks as it gets old and less supple, if you tighten it again and again it crushes the tubes that space the gasket. the bolt tightness or torque setting is very important, too slack it leaks, too tight and it damages the tubes and washers and leaks. if you have done it before on a bongo it takes an hour as you have to remove the gear selector and metal piece above.
if your local to me and buy the bits from ian (he does credit terms ) i will do it for free.

pic 2.
it could be the leaking oil from the above running down the back of the engine and dropping here, or if its dripping from the rubber grommet on the underside of the gearbox it could be the rear crankshaft seal weeping.

pic3
same cause as pic 2, engine oil running off the back of the engine, so fix number 1 and prob fix the first 3.

pic 4
is a bit more difficult to stop altogether, the turbo or crankcase breather is putting oil vapours into the air inlet system, possible causes are the wrong engine oil, or old air filter, worn valve stem oil seals, worn turbo, loose or damaged pipes to/from intercooler.

pic 5
either the front of the rocker gasket,(pic 1) or just under that on the engine the front camshaft seal, when these leak it runs down here.

all the above are standard for the bongo and most bongos have a few of these. if it were mine and on a budget i would get your overalls on and buy a couple of can of wd40 and a kitchen roll and clean it off as best you can just before you take it for the test.

here are the engine gaskets on the engine block.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html.

[meplus5c]

Thank you so much for the comprehensive answers.

I'll have a look for a local Bongo friendly garage for the MOT and see what I can do myself. I'll definitely research getting the gear selector knob off before attempting it. The van has a few bits that need sorting out but I'd rather make sure it'll stay running before I pretty it up!

Thanks again.

[Markas]

If as you say the oil level isn't dropping noticeably and you're on a budget I'd be inclined to leave it well alone. Those of us who do/ did run good ol' British cars from the 70's and 80's are very used to seeing an oil slick gather on the garage floor over time. I tend to regard oil in small amounts as the car's built in anti-corrosion system!
If your MOT tester's got a problem with the amounts of oil shown in your pics I'd be inclined to go to a different MOT centre, possible a more 'classic-friendly' garage.

[mikeonb4c]

If as you say the oil level isn't dropping noticeably and you're on a budget I'd be inclined to leave it well alone. Those of us who do/ did run good ol' British cars from the 70's and 80's are very used to seeing an oil slick gather on the garage floor over time. I tend to regard oil in small amounts as the car's built in anti-corrosion system!
If your MOT tester's got a problem with the amounts of oil shown in your pics I'd be inclined to go to a different MOT centre, possible a more 'classic-friendly' garage.

My feelings also. Diesel engine Bongos are known for being a bit weepy around the rocker gasket - it looks bad but oil loss is minimal.

[Markas]

Diesel engine Bongos are known for being a bit weepy around the rocker gasket - it looks bad but oil loss is minimal.

According to my Bongo specialist, the 2.0L petrol ones are a bit weepy too. I had a conversation with him when I noticed slightly low oil level and oil at the rear of the engine. I had done 3000 miles of touring in less than 4 weeks though
Just top up and truck on...