Black smoke and lose of power???????? Stinky!!!!

SAW · Post by **SAW** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:20 pm

Whilst in the not so sunny Lake District last week my Bongo became poorly. So I would appreciate a little help with her illness..... She had been running so so so well all week, but this morning I started her up fine and drove her about 200m where I parked for around 15mins. Once again she started perfectly but as I drove up the lane 500m or so I noticed Black smoke bellowing from her rear then she lost excelleration (Ziltch) Being such a caring owner I pulled over and called the AA. After the Mechanic had checked her over he diagnosed, that the fuel pump was not working(most probably) and the strong black smoke was diesel. If this is the case where can I buy another fuel pump from and has anyone details of how to change it?

PS: If you saw a White Grey Bongo being relayed From Wasdale to Lee-on-the -Solent it was me.

Post by **westonwarrior** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:25 pm

try Bell hill garage or bongo bits as they both break bongos and both advertise on this site.

Other than that try Ebay as some are advertising breaking bongos at the moment.

Steve L · Post by **Steve L** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:37 pm

Are you sure its the pump as they are normally very reliable things. Before looking for another pump I'd consider other options. I'm sure that these symptoms could be put down to a malfunctioning EGR valve. Someone else who has more knowledge of the problem may chip in and I think its a relatively easy fix.

Naughtydog · Post by **Naughtydog** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:53 pm

I know from previuos experience with diesel engines that another possibility is your TURBO,

A loss of power and black smoke is an indication of a faulty, or about to go turbo,

but it is still worth getting the other cheaper bits and pieces seen to first.

SAW · Post by **SAW** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:45 pm

Where and what is the EGR valve.
Also the AA chappie said it wasn't the Turbo he was quite positive. He also said the Black smoke was a good sign of too much diesel being injected.

Vanmanerik · Post by **Vanmanerik** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 7:56 pm

Check your glow plugs, glow plug relay, fuse to glow plugs.

Hope this helps.

PS Were you burning veggy oil?

Steve L · Post by **Steve L** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:18 pm

Saw,
Look at this link for info on exhaust gas recirculation. Similar symptoms to yours.
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... e6d37bf7a2

Steve L · Post by **Steve L** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 11:29 pm

Also this one. Its a long thread but the fault is traced to the EGR at the end.
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... hlight=egr
Lots more on the site re the egr system if you just put 'egr' into the search section.
Best of luck.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:40 am

EGR recirculates a small amount of exhaust gas when the engine is warm under partial load, light throttle, to improve the emissions. It does not operate at high load. There will be no visible difference to the smoke level, it affects only the composition of the gases. From what you describe I doubt it's the EGR. Black smoke is unburnt fuel which means too much fuel is being injected or there is an air restriction such that there is an excess of fuel. So it could be an air inlet restriction, pump timing or quite commonly can be one or more bad injectors. You could try a dose of injector cleaner first. If still no good I would seek out a diesel specialist who can check out the injectors and pump.

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 9:46 am

Definitely agree with Ian. The cause is excess fuel or lack of air. My first check would be the air filter, but I am not convinced that the turbo isn't sticking or seized. Try the injector cleaner as Ian suggests, then a diesel specialist.

SAW · Post by **SAW** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:54 am

Thanks folks. As suggested I have contacted a Diesel specialist and my beloved Bongo is to be transfered to their garage for further checks. I shall let you know the out come.. just hope they have worked on these beauties before!

"R" White over Grey Bongo Bird.

Barnet Al · Post by **Barnet Al** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 9:43 am

Just a thought Saw, if your bongo has the winter pack (twin batteries) you probably have a switch on the dash with the picture of an engine on it. Have you accidently pressed it? I did once just to see what it would do and experienced the symptoms you describe, considerable loss of power and black smoke after about 20 seconds.

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:40 am

Thanks folks. As suggested I have contacted a Diesel specialist and my beloved Bongo is to be transfered to their garage for further checks. I shall let you know the out come.. just hope they have worked on these beauties before!

Do we have a diagnosis yet SAW ?

SAW · Post by **SAW** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:27 pm

Well folk I have my Bongo back and working well.

Firstly, as you all mentioned they thought it was the EGR opening, this was blanked of but the engine would still not rev up. So further fault findings found, that the rusty Baffle valve in the exhaust was jammed in the closed position. As the baffle is so rusty and would lead to further unwarranted expense, it was forced into the open position. The engine heater switch (part of the winter pack) and solenoid valve have now been disabled due to the fact that it will never be used in our climate.Unless the big freeze hits!!! as if!.

Total cost: £195.05 inclusive of pick up wagon.(£50)

One extremely elated Bongo bird.

Post by **westonwarrior** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:43 pm

Good news indeed