Steam out of exhaust! can these prices be right?

[monfluffy1987]

Hello all,

I'm here again on the forums after yet another problem for the bongo I bought 9 months ago.

I now have excessive steam coming out of my exhaust and a frequent loss of coolant. I have called the nearest 'bongo friendly' garage to Oxford - Discount trucks in Newbury - and have been quoted some prices that have turned my pants a funny brown colour!

If my head gasket has gone i have been quoted the following:

£108 transportation of vehicle from oxford to newbury (not recommended to drive)
£85 gasket set
£40 head bolts
£65 consumables
£35 heat test
£250 labour

( in total £582)

If the head's cracked, add an extra:

------------
£300 head
£100 labour

( in total £982)

And I'm guessing, because there must have been a reason for my head gasket to go, i could also be looking at

£10 thermostat
£108 radiator

( in total £1100)

Long story short - my car has overheated before because of a possible airlock. had the car drained by bongo garage, rad backflushed etc. since then its been running at the 12 oclock position ( slightly too high compared to normal).

now just a week ago, my exhaust starting looking like a fire extinguisher!

can anyone advise on whether the pricing looks right, whether i should drive it or let 'em tow it, and also whether it's worth getting the rad / thermostat done at the same time? Head gaskets don't go for no reason do they?

Thanks,

I love my bongo, but I'm starting to think it's not worth the hassle!

Marcus

[Veg_Ian]

£108 transportation of vehicle from oxford to newbury (not recommended to drive)
£85 gasket set
£40 head bolts
£65 consumables
£35 heat test
£250 labour

fairly reasonable but would question "consumables" and the transportation costs

£300 head
£100 labour

What? This should entail a skim at say 50 quid and strip down labour should be included in price above.

£10 thermostat
£108 radiator

Yes they look ok but should be checked first not simply replaced for the hell of it. Yes I would let them tow it but would question the price.

[haydn callow]

that sounds about right but I would have expected to pay more for a decent head..
£1200 seems the norm for the full job including head

[Veg_Ian]

that sounds about right but I would have expected to pay more for a decent head..
£1200 seems the norm for the full job including head

Really? I would have expected a full engine replacement for that price. Maybe I'm out of touch with the modern world .....................

[haydn callow]

You could probably get a full engine with warranty for £700/800..Then fitting and sundries.....Might be worth considering but often it's a case of "better the devil you know"

[Veg_Ian]

Doh! just realised - £300 for a NEW head. I thought it meant an overhaul. I retract my earlier post and concur with Haydn. 108 quid from Oxford to Newbury though

[haydn callow]

well.....Drive a flatbed from Newbury to Oxford.....spend half a hour getting Bongo aboard....Drive back to Newbury.
Sounds o.k. to me....or get Bongo a mile down the road and call out RAC to recover to garage in Newbury.

[monfluffy1987]

Wow, It always surprises me how fast the responses are on this forum!

About getting a new engine... Where can I get one from (i have a 4wd diesel) and wouldn't it cost more in labour to replace the whole thing?

Is this a new engine or used? I really have no idea!



Has anyone had a bongo that's actually been reliable and hassle free?

[haydn callow]

It would be a used imported low mileage engine.....try ebay...or google Bongo engine. there are loads out there.

[haydn callow]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-2-5-T ... 240%3A1308

[haydn callow]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-FRIEN ... 240%3A1308


Above are a couple to give you a idea of whats available....I know nothing about either company.

[Trouble at t'Mill]

Jeepers, if that first deal is bona-fide, then it strikes me as the simplest way to get an 'untrustworthy' engine fixed!

Includes cam belt and service - that would cost £2-300 done separately in most garages...

[haydn callow]

It does say your own head has to be serviceable....so questions need to be asked.

[monfluffy1987]

Ok I need to ask for your opinions. As a 21 yr old with only 9 months of motoring experience with the Freda, can I ask some recommendations?

I'm looking at the expenditures being minimum of 600 and maximum of 900 to fix the gasket and head (not including if i have any rad /thermostat problems.

knowing bongos, should i just spend the money getting it recovered (£130) and get another engine (£900) ????

I basically want to know, what is the likelyhood of a re-occurance if i fix the engine. Is it worth getting a new one or will it be likely to exhibit similar faults only months down the line?

Being men of the world i value your opinions! £1000 + is a lot of money for me to whip out of no-where!

thanks,

the fluff

[monfluffy1987]

btw the figures that i just quoted were from the first website posted by Hadyn!