Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo
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M 80NGD
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by M 80NGD » Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:01 pm
Hi all,you know if I don't use my air-con for long periods of time (two years!

) will it cause any known
problems?!

Thanks in advance,Lee.

My Names Bond......Lee Bond!!
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mikeonb4c
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by mikeonb4c » Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:17 pm
They say to use it every week to avoid seals drying out etc. However, I reckon that if you switch it on after a 2yr break and it appears to work fine then - with luck - you've got a way with it. But try and stick to Plan A (use it once a week) from now on.
What do others think?

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francophile1947
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by francophile1947 » Fri Oct 24, 2008 4:59 pm
I'd be amazed if it still worked. The aircon system has gas for cooling and oil to keep the seals lubricated and airtight. It ideally should be used for a few minutes every week, but often comes to no harm with longer periods. Two years does seem rather excessive though

John
(Evidence that intelligent life exists in the universe, is that it hasn't tried to contact us)
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M 80NGD
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by M 80NGD » Fri Oct 24, 2008 5:33 pm
Thanks Mike & John,now then,how do I know if it works or not?! What setting does the heaters have to be on?
Does the engine have to be warm etc. etc (Is there a fact sheet?) I've just nipped out to give it a quick try. I
put the heater on then pushed the A/C button in and the only thing I noticed was the engine revs lowered as it was
using battery power

Thanks again,Lee.

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francophile1947
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by francophile1947 » Fri Oct 24, 2008 5:40 pm
If the revs altered by much, you may just be very lucky
Turn the heater to cold and feel the temperature. When the aircon is on, it should be a lot colder. I actually use mine more in the winter than the summer - it's much quicker at demisting your windscreen.
John
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M 80NGD
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by M 80NGD » Fri Oct 24, 2008 5:51 pm
francophile1947 wrote:If the revs altered by much, you may just be very lucky
Turn the heater to cold and feel the temperature. When the aircon is on, it should be a lot colder. I actually use mine more in the winter than the summer - it's much quicker at demisting your windscreen.
Brill,I'll give it a proper try tomorrow. The revs did change quite a bit,so fingers crossed

Thanks for your help
(again!)

My Names Bond......Lee Bond!!
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mikeonb4c
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by mikeonb4c » Fri Oct 24, 2008 6:09 pm
M 80NGD wrote:francophile1947 wrote:If the revs altered by much, you may just be very lucky
Turn the heater to cold and feel the temperature. When the aircon is on, it should be a lot colder. I actually use mine more in the winter than the summer - it's much quicker at demisting your windscreen.
Brill,I'll give it a proper try tomorrow. The revs did change quite a bit,so fingers crossed

Thanks for your help
(again!)

Another tip. Most aircon specialists (and certanly Kwikfit used to offer this) either won't charge for testing the system if it fails, or won't charge much. You pay properly if they manage to regass it successfully. So if when you test it tomorrow you can't get it to run cold, its just possible the seals are OK but it just needs regassing. Fingers crossed for you.

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trevd01
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by trevd01 » Fri Oct 24, 2008 6:23 pm
M 80NGD wrote:Hi all,you know if I don't use my air-con for long periods of time (two years!

) will it cause any known
problems?!

Thanks in advance,Lee.

Serious question:
Why don't people use the aircon on the Bongo? I'm always amazed when I hear people dont
- Is it because you are afraid you will use more fuel? (Unlikely to be able to measure it on a 2.5l lump, driving with windows open is noisy and will likely use more fuel)
Is it because you don't think it is warm enough? (The best feature of aircon in the UK is instant demisting when its cold)
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David Edwards
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by David Edwards » Fri Oct 24, 2008 6:34 pm
You will be very lucky if it still works good after two years, I use mine nearly every day, ( I dont feel the cols see) lol. The advise from specialists is as said, try and use it at least once a week if only to keep the seals etc from drying out. The offer is still on at kwit fit re re gassing or top up and no charge if it fails, good luck hope it is fine.
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M 80NGD
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by M 80NGD » Fri Oct 24, 2008 6:37 pm
trevd01 wrote:M 80NGD wrote:Hi all,you know if I don't use my air-con for long periods of time (two years!

) will it cause any known
problems?!

Thanks in advance,Lee.

Serious question:
Why don't people use the aircon on the Bongo? I'm always amazed when I hear people dont
- Is it because you are afraid you will use more fuel? (Unlikely to be able to measure it on a 2.5l lump, driving with windows open is noisy and will likely use more fuel)
Is it because you don't think it is warm enough? (The best feature of aircon in the UK is instant demisting when its cold)
Hi Trevor,the bongo is the first motor I've owned with air-con,so I've just not bothered using it!

I used to
be a smoker,so I drove with the window down in any weather anyway!

I've never used the rear heaters either!!
I must admit,I do like to drive with the windows down when it's warm enough!!

Cheers,Lee.

My Names Bond......Lee Bond!!
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francophile1947
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by francophile1947 » Fri Oct 24, 2008 7:03 pm
Hi Lee
I've never used my rear heater either, but driving with the aircon on is a lot nicer than driving with the window down - you can still hear your radio without deafening those around you

John
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M 80NGD
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by M 80NGD » Fri Oct 24, 2008 7:28 pm
My Names Bond......Lee Bond!!
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scanner
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by scanner » Fri Oct 24, 2008 7:34 pm
M 80NGD wrote: the only thing I noticed was the engine revs lowered as it was
using battery power

Thanks again,Lee.

It wasn't battery power it was the compressor being turned by the engine.
Set the temp as low as possible and see if you get an "open door on the freezer" sort smell and a noticeable drop in air temperature from the vents.
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M 80NGD
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by M 80NGD » Fri Oct 24, 2008 7:49 pm
scanner wrote:M 80NGD wrote: the only thing I noticed was the engine revs lowered as it was
using battery power

Thanks again,Lee.

It wasn't battery power it was the compressor being turned by the engine.
Set the temp as low as possible and see if you get an "open door on the freezer" sort smell and a noticeable drop in air temperature from the vents.
Cheers scanner,I didn't know about the compressor!

I will check it out tomorrow and will let you know
Cheers,Lee.

My Names Bond......Lee Bond!!