Please help? Overheating, water loss, towing

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

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Happy Camper

Re: Please help?

Post by Happy Camper » Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:55 pm

I thought i could select neutral and tow it? I think I know someone with a low laoder so fingers crossed might be able to get him to lend me a hand.

From reading various posts etc I'm 99% certain a few hoses need replacing as they are either enlarged or very soft. I've beleive Flippa sells complete silicone sets so I'll go down that route as precaution anyway. Any idea of how long it would take a garage replace the complete set with new jubilee clips?

what does make me smile, is that I only just polished Bob the Bongo ready for the mot service and just to give him a general spruce up. Even though he's giving me trouble I can see him through my french doors and I'm not mad with him at all, Oh and I think my children would rather I went than Bob lol.

Many thanks

Happy Camper.
francophile1947
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Re: Please help?

Post by francophile1947 » Fri Mar 27, 2009 4:37 pm

Low loader is definitely a better option. You can tow an auto for short distances but you need to put about a litre of extra ATF in the gearbox - it really isn't recommended though.
If you've got breakdown cover, just drive it a mile up the road and get them to recover you to the garage :wink: :wink:
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Trouble at t'Mill
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Re: Please help?

Post by Trouble at t'Mill » Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:35 pm

HC, although there are different types of auto box, and some manufacturers will recommend adding extra oil etc, most simply suggest a max speed of 50 mph, and a max distance of around 60 miles. I wouldn't like to tow it anywhere near these limits, but I'm pretty certain that 12 miles at 30 mph will have no adverse effects whatsoever.

BUT YOU CAN CHECK THIS WITH A QUICK CALL TO YOUR BONGO FRIENDLY GARAGE, OR A PLACE LIKE BELL HILL, WHEELQUICK, ETC

And, yes, the Bongo will have to be in neutral - you just try towing it in anything else (especially 'Park')! But, although it is in 'neutral', there will still be lots of moving parts inside the 'box, and they won't be getting the usual level of lubrication/cooling since the engine won't be running - hence the mileage/speed limit.

I dare say you could 'safely' drive it too, even if it meant stopping half way and allowing it to cool down. But best tow (or low-load)!
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dandywarhol
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Re: Please help?

Post by dandywarhol » Fri Mar 27, 2009 11:28 pm

There are plain bearings in the gearbox which require pressurised oil - when the engine's off the pump won't operate. Thats why you shouldn't tow without adding oil and only for a short distance.
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Doone
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Re: Please help?

Post by Doone » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:44 pm

I thought i could select neutral and tow it?
I wouldn't. If I had to tow a 2 wheel drive on a bar, I'd take the gearbox out of the picture by disconnecting the rear propshaft (undo 4 bolts and slide it off and put it in the bongo).
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The Great Pretender
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Re: Please help?

Post by The Great Pretender » Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:47 pm

Doone wrote:
I thought i could select neutral and tow it?
I wouldn't. If I had to tow a 2 wheel drive on a bar, I'd take the gearbox out of the picture by disconnecting the rear propshaft (undo 4 bolts and slide it off and put it in the bongo).
Mark the shaft and connections at each end so it goes back in the same position to keep it in balance.
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