Help Diagnosing 1997 WL-T Bongo in Canada

[Jordan F]

Hey everyone,

So this is going to be long winded, so thank you to anyone who reads and is willing to help!

I purchased a 1997 Diesel Bongo a couple months ago on the West Coast of British Columbia. For the first few weeks the bongo ran great, until a trip back from the coast (very hot day, and going through mountain passes at consistent high speeds) I smelled a burning scent, and noticed the temperature gage was higher than I had seen it. I pulled over, for a bit, but was out of cell service, and foolishly decided to see if I could make it any further to get into service and call a tow truck, within a few minutes, and the temperature gage was maxed out and I was unable to use the gas, and rolled to a stop.

When I pulled over there was a ton of water leaking out of the passenger side, and a coolant hose had burst.

I made it back to a town and took the van to the only shop that was open there on a Sunday, and I watched as they tried to top up the coolant system and get air out. This is when I began doing my own research on the bongo, found the forum and saw the specific bleed process that is required. This shop, told me they thought there was an issue with the head gasket or cylinder head and said they could fix it. I was far from home, and didn't really feel like they knew much about the bongo, so decided to have the bongo towed back to Victoria (3 hrs away). I had a really hard time finding anyone versed in Bongo's, and the best I could find were shops that had worked on delica's or other imports, so I took it to another shop, told them it was a suspected head gasket or cylinder head, they kept the van for 3 weeks, tried to bleed it multiple times and said there was consistent air coming into the expansion tank, which meant a head gasket or cylinder head. They also informed me there was NO thermostat in the bongo, which was a shock for me and I've had words with the person I purchased from, but they don't have any more info about that. The last shop quoted me $4500 CAD for head gasket replacement and $5500 for cylinder head replacement which is more than I can afford, so at this point my only option it to take things into my own hands.

I am just looking for some guidance in next steps. Since I don't have a bongo specialist here, the forum is my best resource, so before I go ahead and purchase the head kit, a water pump, thermostat and coolant level alarm...im wondering if anyone has any guides on doing a coolant system pressure test, and a compression test on the bongo. I have the two kits for testing, but can't find any bongo specific resources for doing these tests. Does anyone know if these exist, or can provide any guidance?

Thanks!

[Jordan F]

I'm also waiting for the service manual to arrive here, which is currently stuck at customs.

[Doone]

Hi this might help with ideas for a pressure test, see Nothern Bongolows post "you can pressure test the system yourself by fitting a bicycle pump to the little pipe on the expansion tank, give it 4 or 5 good pumps then look round for drips."
Tho if a Bongo won't bleed, after its overheated as badly as you describe, it could be bad news.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=70123&p=661330&hili ... le#p661330

[windywatson]

Hi,

After 12 years of ownership & reading furom threads I would most certainly think that the head has failed as the discription is typical of all others I've read about & herad of at national get togethers. I would think that your best & most cost effective way of resolving the issue, assuming you cant find anyone to carry out a head repair may be to purchase a new/reconditioned head from well respected uk supplier along with all necassery anssilary items & import it yourself. The Diesel engine is nothing special in itself (fitted in Ford rangers in the past) & any good diesle mechanic should be able to carry out your work. The actual crusial issue is of course, as you have discovered is understanding the bleeding method (for which there are YouTube videos) that must be got correct in order not to re-over heat the new head & repeat the damage.

Cheers & all the best with the fix.