Exhaust brake.

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Apostrophe

Exhaust brake.

Post by Apostrophe » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:34 pm

Sorry if this has been asked before, but does the exhaust brake (retarder) actually do anything? It would appear that mine has been seized solid for all the time I've had my Bongo so now I've removed it. Is this OK ? Will my brakes fail? Will my world come to a sticky end? Will I increase my contribution to global warming?
Seriously, if they are seized, removing them must be an improvement - a half opened butterfly valve in an exhaust system can't be good for economy or performance surely?
Cheers!
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mister munkey
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Re: Exhaust brake.

Post by mister munkey » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:39 pm

Are you sure its not the EGR valve you've disarmed?

If thats the case its not a problem, many others have.
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scanner
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Re: Exhaust brake.

Post by scanner » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:43 pm

Apostrophe wrote:Sorry if this has been asked before, but does the exhaust brake (retarder) actually do anything? It would appear that mine has been seized solid for all the time I've had my Bongo so now I've removed it. Is this OK ? Will my brakes fail? Will my world come to a sticky end? Will I increase my contribution to global warming?
Seriously, if they are seized, removing them must be an improvement - a half opened butterfly valve in an exhaust system can't be good for economy or performance surely?
Cheers!

Do you mean the cold start system fitted to Bongos from the frozen north of Japan?

That is a butterfly in the exhaust system as I understand it.

Does your Bongo have two batteries? as they also come with the "winter pack"
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The Great Pretender
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Re: Exhaust brake.

Post by The Great Pretender » Wed Oct 08, 2008 11:58 pm

Think that you have sussed it Scanner..................... =D> =D> =D>
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Apostrophe

Re: Exhaust brake.

Post by Apostrophe » Thu Oct 09, 2008 12:05 am

Well, sounds like that's what it is then...I thought it was an exhaust brake - same as fitted to trucks etc. You know, the thingy that turns the engine into a sort of compressor on over-run to assist with engine braking. just goes to show how a little knowledge can be dangerous!!! And yes, I do have two batteries!
Bongoozler

Re: Exhaust brake.

Post by Bongoozler » Thu Oct 09, 2008 4:15 pm

How have you removed it, Apostrophe?

I though that it was fixed in the system and the only way to remove it was to fit a new box.

Tim
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Re: Exhaust brake.

Post by Bob » Thu Oct 09, 2008 10:41 pm

I think the standard mod is to fix it open, rather than remove it. Worth while as it is not needed in UK temps, and can fail.
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Bongoozler

Re: Exhaust brake.

Post by Bongoozler » Fri Oct 10, 2008 10:24 am

Do you know how you do that bob, or anyone, if its fixed into the exhaust?
Apostrophe

Re: Exhaust brake.

Post by Apostrophe » Sun Oct 12, 2008 9:37 pm

Yep, removed mine as the pipe into it had fractured. The unit basically had it's own kind of 'manifold' with a flange at each end and sat about a foot in front of the flexi pipe forward of the exhaust box. We replaced it by cutting it out and replacing with a formed length of st/st pipe welded to one of the flanges. All that was left to do was blank off the vacuum hose.
Bongoozler

Re: Exhaust brake.

Post by Bongoozler » Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:47 pm

Thanks, I'll look into that.

Tim
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