Oil change, Starting Problems, Filler in Sills

Chez Blanche · Post by **Chez Blanche** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 2:27 pm

[Was 'A newbie has questions'

Changed to allow topic(s) to be found more easily in future searches - Admin]

Thank you Brora Bongo, Mike on B4C, Hatris, Bob, The great pretender and Dandy Warhol for your most useful advice and comments. I feel most at home among those that love Bongos. and yeah the AA are "so gonna get it".

Hey

Just bought my very first Bongo, an N (1996) 2.5TD Automatic, SGL5 (but had some interesting modifications in that area which made getting insurance a nice little challenge).

I have a few questions.

How hard is it do do an oil change yourself. I last did oil changes on Petrol Mk III Cortina's and Escorts back in the 80's. As a poor hard up student, i'm tempted to do the same with the Bongo, if it's comparable - you know skinned knuckles allowed for. Oh yes and what tools will i need (generally speaking). I've never worked on a diesel - unless you count tractors i suppose.

Um when i tried to start her the other night in frosty weather - it was -2 degrees I'm told. despite giving the glowplugs two chances to warm up (as directed by the previous owners) she made this really wierd clicking noise under the dash board which she doesn't even in the morning , I stopped attempting to start her and then did the whole glowplugs for a third time and she did eventually turn over and start. I'd be interested to know the mechanics of this sound, without a Haynes manual i'm a bit lost on what's actually on her - I guess a solonoid? maybe
Any how i'm sure you guys/girls can put me right.

Then there is this interesting whirring sound which if i start her up as I stand at the driver's door can be heard in the body panel to the rear of the driver's door. Intrigued to know what that is.

Of course the sliding door also makes a whirring sound when you shut it (though it's not the locking mech i believe as this isn't activated yet).

I have a really interesting rear wiper which currently hangs down dejectedly from the rear window, resting (conveniently) in the bike rack holder. God knows how the original owners managed to keep it in place for the initial viewing, the AA report (yep complete waste of space) and a service at a local dealer. Anyhows, first time out in the rain she heads south and is all limp and just goes round and round (the fixing nut i suppose). I've had a peek behind the interior body panel of the boot and it's got plastic right the way across, so i'd have to take the whole interior trim and plastic thing of to access the mechanism and mend or replace it. So how easy is this to do please?

Oh and there is this switch (black with a tiny red light at the top) on the right hand side of the steering wheel, next to an empty switch which is next to the um .........oh can't remember, the owner said he didn't know what it was for (and it doesn't seem to do anything). Any suggestions. - the light doesn't come on if you switch it on.

Ah and as the sills are full of filler the dealer suggested this was an MOT failure, but the Tyre fitters said not for a Bongo because of the structure of the chassis. Any ideas on this point too?

I'm sure you'll all get fed up of my endless questions as my beloved Bongo, challenges my stress levels and wallet, but hey I'm truly in love with my Bongo warts and all.

Many thanks
Chez Blanche

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 3:33 pm

Welcome Chez Blanche.

Just a couple of answers to start you with.

Oil change is straight forward, just mind that there is 6.5 litres of oil(including filter) so large container required. Oil filter was removed from below after being loosened from above, as it just will not fit though easily from above. ( TIP: dont change oil when it's windy

)

Noise from side door could be the self closing mechanism. Close the door softly just until the door catches, then you will see it automatically pull the rest of the way in. Nice one to show off to your mates!!

All the best with your new toy!

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 4:51 pm

Plastic sheet on tailgate panel is probably held in place with black goo. You can gently peel the plastic back and use a sharp (or even a blunt) knife with a kind of sawing motiton so that the threads (like chewing gum) the goo tries to make can be severed and the goo twangs back to the right place on both tailgate and polythene. Its easy then to just put the polythene back in place without having to redistribute the goo evenly (nasty stuff - you dont want to get involved with it more than necessary!)

Switch with red light - could it be the rear foglamp switch

Dodgy starting - could be glowplugs on their way out - loads of advice on here - try Search and see what comes up. Or could possible be starter motor solenoid - loads of stuff on here again, including DIY repair

Whine when door open and starting - could be anything. Fan kicking in? aircon on? Can you be more specific. You ought to get your head inside the engine bay and get to know where oil filler etc. is ASAP anyway - maybe you'll locate source of sound then.

Filler in bodywork. Dont like the sound of that. Hope you don't have a rust issue. AA should have spotted and reported on that if so, never mind fudging the issue my saying its not an MOT failure. I assum eprice paid reflects the condition. If the AA report is wide of the mark, dont stand for it. Let them know in writing what they missed and you found and explain you bought on the basis of their report and what do they have to say(isnt that what they are there for - to survey your prospective purchase). The should be concerned about their brand reputation and not try and fob you off.

Good luck - keep us posted - and welcome to the wonderful world of Bongo - great cars

hatris · Post by **hatris** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 7:29 pm

Hi We have a switch in that position that sounds the same. We use it to start the bongo, and if we forget to switch it on the bongo won't start easily. After you switch it on, just start as you would normally, waiting for the glowplug light to go out before fully turning the ignition. We were adviced to then leave the switch on for about 5 to 10 mins then switch it off. I hope this is helpful. I have a pic of the switch if that helps. H+T

brorabongo · Post by **brorabongo** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:28 pm

hatris wrote:Hi We have a switch in that position that sounds the same. We use it to start the bongo, and if we forget to switch it on the bongo won't start easily. After you switch it on, just start as you would normally, waiting for the glowplug light to go out before fully turning the ignition. We were adviced to then leave the switch on for about 5 to 10 mins then switch it off. I hope this is helpful. I have a pic of the switch if that helps. H+T

That switch must be the aftermarket modification to help prolong the life of the glowplugs, that would make some sence, with the starting problem.

Post by **Bob** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 11:57 pm

brorabongo wrote:
hatris wrote:Hi We have a switch in that position that sounds the same. We use it to start the bongo, and if we forget to switch it on the bongo won't start easily. After you switch it on, just start as you would normally, waiting for the glowplug light to go out before fully turning the ignition. We were adviced to then leave the switch on for about 5 to 10 mins then switch it off. I hope this is helpful. I have a pic of the switch if that helps. H+T
That switch must be the aftermarket modification to help prolong the life of the glowplugs, that would make some sence, with the starting problem.

There is a fact sheet on this in the Member's area, could be worth a look.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:34 am

Chez Blanche - re: oil change. If you've got £35 or so to spare consider buying a Pela oil extractor:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pela-6000-Oil-Ext ... dZViewItem

they make the oil change an absolutely painless experience. Highly recommended. You can use them when its time to change the transmission fluid etc. as well

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:45 am

I like it, but at 6lt is it big enough?

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:46 am

Then there is this interesting whirring sound which if i start her up as I stand at the driver's door can be heard in the body panel to the rear of the driver's door. Intrigued to know what that is.

Could be the rear heater fan

I don't understand your startup procedure Hatris. If someone has a switch fitted in to overide the glowplug timer then your procedure overides the glowplug timer!

but there again, maybe someone's told you to use the engine warm up switch which partially blocks off the exhaust downpipe

A pic of the switch you talk about would be a good idea.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:52 am

The Great Pretender wrote:I like it, but at 6lt is it big enough?

Good point. Yes it is as the Bongo capacity less filter is I think 6.2 litre and the Pela is actually just over 6 litre so copes. The other .5 litre is stuck in the filter and only comes out when you remove it.

But even if it wasnt big enough you would simply stop, tip some into your waste container and carry on. Not as neat but still neater than pogging about with the drain plug and (as ever) misjudging where to place the bowl when the hot oil spuys out sideways and dropping the plug in the bowl in your haste to move it as I did on my 1st oil change. The Pela is pure luxury.

The Great Pretender · Post by **The Great Pretender** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:21 am

Will be luxury when it can get under and the change filter to............

smartmonkey · Post by **smartmonkey** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 12:12 pm

The Bongo sills are structural and it will fail an MOT with holes in the sill. The filler may just be covering accident damage and not rust. The MOT tester is allowed to hammer and poke at the bodga but in a limited way.

The starting sounds like a duff battery or starter solenoid (or a poor earth).

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 1:14 pm

The Great Pretender wrote:I like it, but at 6lt is it big enough?

You can lend mine for an oil change if you want...you probably dont live that far away

dandywarhol · Post by **dandywarhol** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 2:15 pm

I've bought and helped buy 4 Bongos and 2 have had cosmetic repair work on the sills - I wouldn't be too concerned about it if it has an MOT