Steam out of exhaust! can these prices be right?

[Veg_Ian]

An inspiration to us all - well done Tom!

[haydn callow]

Oldgit......well impressed......was the head complete or did you have to swap valves etc....10/10...go to the top of the class and have a gold star.

[oldgit]

No, the head wasn't complete. as all the components were all in good condition, I ground the valves in to the new head, and then replaced it, I had a lot of help from Doone and Allan, thanks again. The worst problem was getting it started when I'd finished, that horrible little filter in the pump, kept blocking up. I am now am an expert of cleaning the fuel system.

[mikeonb4c]

I had the same problem with our Bongo, cost £1200 at a local garage to have fixed turned out to be Cowboys ,lasted about 6 months, they refused to admit liability. Finally did the job myself, replaced the head, cost about £300, bought the other parts from Bongo bits. In total cost me about £450. I really gave the Rad a blitzing, replaced all the hoses, and the Bongo has been running perfectly for nearly a year now. I had a lot of invaluable help from this forum, and couldn't have managed withou all the helpful advice. I am no Spring Chicken so if I can do it with the help of the Bongo manual, I'm sure anybody with a bit of practical knowledge can do the same. Cheers Tom

Excellent post Tom and sorry I forgot to include you in the list of successes (ageing brain I fear). The more I read of this the more I think it sounds like a worthwhile option to do it yourself. Once the central console gubbins has been (easily) removed, am I right in saying the head is easily accessible for working on? Good access is a major factor I think in achieving a successful outcome (esp. for those of us with bad backs) as you can then focus well on the job in hand.

Do I recall you having some starting problems, and were they after doing that job? It would be useful to have a reminder of cause and solution in case our current case-owner would benefit from reading it.

[Doone]

I had a lot of help from Doone and Allan, thanks again.

No worries Tom, it was worth all your effort in the end. 12 months later it's still going strong...so Allan said to let you know that he's saving all the blocked filter jobs for you...if you're ever down this way.

[nigelginny]

Just had ours repaired, new head, head set and coolant switch, coolant etc 1500 quid shes worth it

[mikeonb4c]

Just had ours repaired, new head, head set and coolant switch, coolant etc 1500 quid shes worth it

Absolutely. Draw a line and move on....in the Bongo of course. I just love mine to bits, and all cars can thrown big bills. Now have you got that low coolant alarm fitted?