Starting The Bongo

zelkin70 · Post by **zelkin70** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:59 am

Hi All
Can anyone advise me....... In the Morning It takes me 5 attempts to start my bongo up...... could it be the glow plugs, once it as started its fine for the rest of the day.

Kind Regards

John Zelkin

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 9:28 am

Sounds like glowplugs, especially if it's lumpy and there's loads of smoke when it first fires up.

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 10:16 am

Hi and welcome

Yeah, sounds like glow plugs. Can you hear the glow plug relay clicking?

jimsmimm · Post by **jimsmimm** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 12:29 pm

the glow plugs stay on for several seconds after the light goes out... try waiting another 5seconds or so after light goes off before starting.... if it starts I'd say its a sure sign the glow plugs are needing done...and will get worse as winter nears...

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:02 pm

Welcome Zelkin... It does indeed sound like your Glowplugs are a bit duff,don't forget the bongo has different sized plugs from one bongo to another...

flippa · Post by **flippa** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:08 pm

hmmmm..... sounds like i need mine replacing.......will not start like it used too on first turnover...have been waiting for the light to go on/off a few times then i turn it over its lumpy but it starts, plenty smoke too , the smoke dies down lumpiness goes when i drive off, will start fine the rest of the day...is it straightforward to check the size of the glowplugs before i order the wrong ones

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 1:27 pm

Bongo's up to vin number 300306 use 83mm glowplugs.

Bongo's after 300306 use 65mm glowplugs.

SOME late 95- mid 96 bongo's use 102mm plugs on a modified (taller) rail.

Unfortunately it's not a exact science,the best bet would be to remove one, and check the part number for a match.