Fan problems Any ideas very welcome

[The Great Pretender]

Hi mike,
that sure gave me a lot to think about. Its a matter of weighing it all up really. We are not mechanically minded at all. Every part of the car, except for the obvious is called "A thingy"
therefore as you said, the bongo is more for someone with a knowledge of cars and their workings, but it is a shame for those of us who also like the bongo, but do not possess the necessary skills to do the constant repairs required and therefore bear hefty labour bills.
It is booked in to have the motor and resistor area checked tomorrow and dependant on the outcome, we will have to decide the next move. Thankyou for all your help and advice. I am very grateful to you guys. I will miss you all as well as the car, if it has to go.


cheers Anna

Very interesting Anna (and I agree with Simon).

Analysing what you've had to spend:-

* Some were improvements so put those to one side.
* Some were servicing, so put those to one side.
* Drop links etc. commonly need replacing on Bongos (and many other cars) so normal wear and tear
* Wiper motor etc. - a bit of wear and tear / bad luck that struck your car but similar probs are striking cars everywhere (especially older ones)
* Heater motor resistor / fan - well known Bongo problem with good advice on how to fix.

My thoughts are:

* Bongos (and other cars) are MUCH cheaper to run if you can do a bit of your own servicing and repairs. Without that you are at the mercy of garage charges. Unlike a lot of modern cars, Bongos are relatively user serviceable esp. in many areas where they are known to need attention

* Bongos (esp. lifting roof ones) have some complex engineering in them. If one of this items goes wrong, anxiety levels rise quickly at £ outlay prospect. On the other hand, the Bongo is unique in its usefulness, functionality, driving experience etc. - I remind myself of this any time I have an urge to 'chicken out' of Bongo ownership

* All car ownership these days is scary, in fiscal terms. Bongos seem to be depreciating less than many cars, and cost to purchase one is very low indeed for what you are getting. It has to be expected that some of that advantage may have to be given up in maintenance and repair

* If you sell, you will probably take a financial hit esp. in the current climate.

* Bottom line is, can you afford to run the Bongo, both in fuel and maintenance terms. Is the worry of it destroying the dream

* I find it helps to think of my Bongo as a pet. I'm devoted to it so that whilst the potential for big bills is an everpresent worry, it means so much to me compared to just an ordinary car that I accept the possibility and resign myself to it. Having said that, I do have a reserve fund (from my initial budget) with which to tackle a major problem should it arise.

I hope the above may help you decide which way to go. Tough one, but for what it's worth, I think you may (almost) be over the worst. One thing to ask - whats this about rust? This will both have a bearing on long term ownership and on sales price.

Good luck whatever

Unfortunatly Mike is spot on Anna, the Bongo is a great vehicle for mechanical minded peeps. Take it to your local garage and you get a sharp intake of breath...........
I love my Bongo and the peeps that have them but alas it may not be (and it pains me to say this) the vehicle for you.

[not so old]

Thankyou for your honesty and common sense answer, but is any common sense associated with this beautiful Beastie(Bongo) I guess I would have to take a course in mechanics and electrics to keep it. 9totally addicted!

Cheers Anna




Unfortunatly Mike is spot on Anna, the Bongo is a great vehicle for mechanical minded peeps. Take it to your local garage and you get a sharp intake of breath...........
I love my Bongo and the peeps that have them but alas it may not be (and it pains me to say this) the vehicle for you. [/quote]

[not so old]

OK Mind made up. I am going to let her stay on a trial only period and if the bad luck is still blighting us, I will buy the newest one I can get. There should be less of a chance of constant need for repair. Can't really afford it, so will be dipping into Rainy day savings(what's left) before this bongo has it all. Do like this one though!
Just can't be without a Bongo Beastie!

Thank you guys for helping me to come to this decision

Cheers Anna

[mikeonb4c]

OK Mind made up. I am going to let her stay on a trial only period and if the bad luck is still blighting us, I will buy the newest one I can get. There should be less of a chance of constant need for repair. Can't really afford it, so will be dipping into Rainy day savings(what's left) before this bongo has it all. Do like this one though!
Just can't be without a Bongo Beastie!

Thank you guys for helping me to come to this decision

Cheers Anna

Well done Anna. We'll all be hoping the worst will be over soon. I've got bills coming I think that may add up to £500 total but I know in my heart it just has to be done. Don't like it, but the Bongo is such a useful and lovely car and anyway I'm not sure I've ever got away without spending something like that on service and repairs over 2yrs with other cars in recent years. It stings though, that's for sure. The only real answer is not to have a car at all but are we all ready to go there - I'm not!

Good luck and we'll help/advise where we can.

[not so old]

Hi Mike
So sorry, that you are having repair problems. It must be a big job, if you can't do it and it's going to cost £500. These bongos really do try out our dedication to them. Do they not!
I know what you mean about the option of, no car or put up with the expense. We hardly use the car, now that we are retired, but must have one and now, it's not just the car that's a requirement, It has to be a Bongo!
We are all sorted now and the car passed the MOT. Expense to get it through was about £250 with fitting. Still got the other bill to come and then sort out the bit of rust on the wheelarch, but still not as bad as your bill. I hope your Bongo is well soon and you have recovered from the financial shock. I wish I could help you, the way you helped me see the light. Exremely grateful.

Chin up Anna

OK Mind made up. I am going to let her stay on a trial only period and if the bad luck is still blighting us, I will buy the newest one I can get. There should be less of a chance of constant need for repair. Can't really afford it, so will be dipping into Rainy day savings(what's left) before this bongo has it all. Do like this one though!
Just can't be without a Bongo Beastie!

Thank you guys for helping me to come to this decision

Cheers Anna

Well done Anna. We'll all be hoping the worst will be over soon. I've got bills coming I think that may add up to £500 total but I know in my heart it just has to be done. Don't like it, but the Bongo is such a useful and lovely car and anyway I'm not sure I've ever got away without spending something like that on service and repairs over 2yrs with other cars in recent years. It stings though, that's for sure. The only real answer is not to have a car at all but are we all ready to go there - I'm not!

Good luck and we'll help/advise where we can.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks Anna. £500 isn't a lot these days when cars need doing. I need to get diesel pump seals done, new exhaust back box, gearbox oil change, a bit of welding on a newly discovered rust spot, and MOT. It may not come to that much but I'm braced for it just in case!! And as I said before, it could happen on most cars plus the biggest cost of all on most cars - depreciation. Bongos don't SEEM to depreciate as badly as a lot of cars, and anyway they are unique so the normal rules don't apply! Its simply a case of whether you want one and are prepared to spend money on it that some would spend elsewhere (down the pub, flying abroad etc.)

[not so old]

You have all you're priorities right, Mike. It sounds like a big job, especially the rust bit. I have that to face also. I hope the expense is not as bad as you have estimated. I agree that I would rather have my Bongo than a holiday, and I don't go to the pub anyway. So if the Bongo gives us an alternative pleasure, So be it!
Keeping my fingers crossed for you and keep your chin up.
Anna

Thanks Anna. £500 isn't a lot these days when cars need doing. I need to get diesel pump seals done, new exhaust back box, gearbox oil change, a bit of welding on a newly discovered rust spot, and MOT. It may not come to that much but I'm braced for it just in case!! And as I said before, it could happen on most cars plus the biggest cost of all on most cars - depreciation. Bongos don't SEEM to depreciate as badly as a lot of cars, and anyway they are unique so the normal rules don't apply! Its simply a case of whether you want one and are prepared to spend money on it that some would spend elsewhere (down the pub, flying abroad etc.)

[Rhod]

Anna wrote

I guess I would have to take a course in mechanics and electrics to keep it

That's not actually such a daft suggestion Anna. A lot of mechanical problems are relatively easy to sort out with a bit of logic and confidence. I'm very much a self-taught mechanic, of limited ability. I learnt because I wasn't going to pay good money to someone to mess up my bikes when I could do that myself for free . The Bongo is more complicated than the bikes & I'm very much still learning, but I do manage to save a fair bit of money by doing most of the servicing myself. With help of folk here I've diagnosed & fixed simple things (like replacing fan & alternator) which would have cost a lot in terms of garage time. Lack of time & anywhere flat around the house to work does mean that at times I pay someone else to do things that I could do myself, but even then, the fact that I understand what the mechanic is telling me means that I learn a bit more. Perhaps more importantly I can tell him/her what I want done & what I don't want done, so I can control the cost a bit. You might be surprised at how much more you enjoy Bongo ownership (i.e. being owned by your Bongo ) when you understand a bit of what makes it tick & can sort simple things out before they become complicated things.

Rhod

[mikeonb4c]

Nice thing with a Bongo is you can take a holiday break any time you like. Take a good book, find a nice view. No delayed flights, no passport control, no forward planning. I love it

[The Great Pretender]

Im with you Rhod, although im not impressed with the overall quality level of the courses taught in our colleges and 'Universities '. On a basic level Anna you will learn the basics after all the elf n safety
But joking apart you learn when you are intrested, from books, tinternet, mentors, friends.
Hold your hand out, make a fist, put a spanner in it, turn your hand anti clockwise.
Done it?
Now you have the abillity to take any vehicle to pieces.
Glad you are still with us................

[mikeonb4c]

But Anna may really not want to do stuff like this. HOWEVER, there are probably some strapping Bongo owners not far off who would probably be only to pleased to show off their skills on simple jobs for a few beers.

Lights blue touchpaper and leaves room sharpish

[The Great Pretender]

But Anna may really not want to do stuff like this. HOWEVER, there are probably some strapping Bongo owners not far off who would probably be only to pleased to show off their skills on simple jobs for a few beers.

Lights blue touchpaper and leaves room sharpish

She may not Mike, but dont you think "strapping" should be left to max mosleys german speaking prostitutes?

[Dr.Jekyll]

Its all relative: My 03 Vaxhall Coarsa cost £455 to MOT and £180 to service in July - all just standard cost of motoring.

Keep the faith!

[helen&tony]

Hi Anna and Rhod
Look at it in this way....always take a look from another angle....the Bongo, or any other car, is put together by someone who only has a few hours/ days of training....NOT by skilled mechanics....If they can do it, so can you. A skilled mechanic has years of training to recognise any problem....you may not have that experience, but ASK on HERE, and someone will help, and remember, you only tackle the one thing at a time.....if someone put it together, then you can take it apart....with some help from here you can put it back together....that's what a "club" like this is for.
My father had a wonderful expression...."there's no such word as can't"....very annoying when you are growing up, but eventually you understand the wisdom....namely, if you say you can't do something, then you can't.......so now you CAN
Cheers
Helen

[not so old]

Anna wrote

I guess I would have to take a course in mechanics and electrics to keep it

That's not actually such a daft suggestion Anna. A lot of mechanical problems are relatively easy to sort out with a bit of logic and confidence. I'm very much a self-taught mechanic, of limited ability. I learnt because I wasn't going to pay good money to someone to mess up my bikes when I could do that myself for free . The Bongo is more complicated than the bikes & I'm very much still learning, but I do manage to save a fair bit of money by doing most of the servicing myself. With help of folk here I've diagnosed & fixed simple things (like replacing fan & alternator) which would have cost a lot in terms of garage time. Lack of time & anywhere flat around the house to work does mean that at times I pay someone else to do things that I could do myself, but even then, the fact that I understand what the mechanic is telling me means that I learn a bit more. Perhaps more importantly I can tell him/her what I want done & what I don't want done, so I can control the cost a bit. You might be surprised at how much more you enjoy Bongo ownership (i.e. being owned by your Bongo ) when you understand a bit of what makes it tick & can sort simple things out before they become complicated things.

Rhod

Hi Rhod,
Of course you are right. I can learn pretty fast, but my hands etc do not have the strength required to open a can with a hand tin opener! which is a bit frustrating, because I have learnt a lot from you guys and of course reading as much as possible about the Bongo inside workings. It's always something I don't have knowledge of, that breaks. I have with several little problems been able to diagnose the problem by what I have seen and heard, again from you guys and piccis. So all I need is a live in strongboy!
Joking apart I think the knowledge of what is going on in the bongo's insides, is a great start to not being ripped off at garages.
Thank you very much for your advice and help.

Cheers Anna