Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior

Locked
Davidholman

Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by Davidholman » Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:03 pm

Hi

I have just found how to open the engine compartment beneasth the two front seats.

Quite a feat.

Having opened it, there doesn't appear to be anything like the bonnet holding open device to keep the seats up.

Am I missing one?
Am I missing an extra add-on that I should get?
Is it just a case of prop it on your back while you check the dipstick?

David HOLMAN
oldgit

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by oldgit » Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:07 pm

If you put the foot rests in the right position the seats just lay back.
Davidholman

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by Davidholman » Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:08 pm

oldgit wrote:If you put the foot rests in the right position the seats just lay back.
Aha

Therein lies the problem, I don't have the footrests as I have a camper conversion.

Now I know why!!

David
User avatar
brorabongo
Supreme Being
Posts: 3226
Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:56 pm
Location: Brora, Sutherland

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by brorabongo » Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:33 pm

You don't need footrests for tipping back the seats. Just make sure theres enough room behind the seats, and fold the back of the chair down onto the seat. If you have a side conversion that stops the drivers seat from tipping back, I believe the seat has to be unbolted?
ボンゴの激怒 pictures
Run your fingers over my Bongo, and I'll run my Bongo over your fingers!! :twisted:
Davidholman

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by Davidholman » Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:35 pm

brorabongo wrote:You don't need footrests for tipping back the seats. Just make sure theres enough room behind the seats, and fold the back of the chair down onto the seat. If you have a side conversion that stops the drivers seat from tipping back, I believe the seat has to be unbolted?
Thanks, yes it is the side conversion that blocks my seat. I can do simple checks OK, but major work would need the seats to be unbolted.

Regards

David
User avatar
Simon Jones
Supreme Being
Posts: 9341
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:34 pm
Location: Salisbury (ish), Wiltshire

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by Simon Jones » Sat Apr 26, 2008 2:52 pm

You could probably hold the lot back with a bungy cord to the grab handle above the window behind drivers seat. Only things that you need to get to under that side is airfilter, fuel filter & the power steering reservoir. Oil & belts are under the passenger seat.
User avatar
brorabongo
Supreme Being
Posts: 3226
Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:56 pm
Location: Brora, Sutherland

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by brorabongo » Sat Apr 26, 2008 7:17 pm

One tip for air filter is to use a K&N filter, which is a lifetime filter, and just needs cleaned once in a blue moon, instead of replacing paper filters regularly. :-k
ボンゴの激怒 pictures
Run your fingers over my Bongo, and I'll run my Bongo over your fingers!! :twisted:
John the sparky

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by John the sparky » Sat Apr 26, 2008 8:53 pm

aha.... on the subject of K&N,

I need a new filter, and to disable EGR....do you know how much and from where to get one?

John
User avatar
missfixit70
Supreme Being
Posts: 12431
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:53 pm
Location: weymouth

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by missfixit70 » Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:04 pm

Got mine here
You can't polish a turd - but you can roll it in glitter.
User avatar
lizard
Supreme Being
Posts: 1208
Joined: Sun Jan 13, 2008 11:28 pm
Location: Somerset

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by lizard » Sat Apr 26, 2008 11:40 pm

The passenger side stays up now problem, the drivers side I use my back, as it is better than a crack on the head, my head not the engine :lol: :lol:
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life.

F Zappa
User avatar
apole
Supreme Being
Posts: 1231
Joined: Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:36 pm
Location: Berks

Re: Accessing the Engine Compartment beneath the front seats

Post by apole » Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:29 am

Hi David,

I have the side conversion too and as you say it does limit putting up the drivers seat a bit.

2 ways around this. For quick stuff I tilt the backrest fully forward then move the seat back on it's runners. Raise the seat up then move forward a bit on runners that way it rests on the steering wheel and gives you access without holding it.

For more complex work just remove the seat, only 4 bolts.

Andy
Locked

Return to “Techie Stuff”