should i get a new new cylinder head?

[haydn callow]

hi I have spoke to Ian and he recommended a new cylinder head at the cost of £800 plus vat I also want the water pump changing anti roll link bars fitted and track rod ends fitted which could amount to about £1200 which i could just about scratch together.talking to Ian he definatly knows what he is talking about and said he has done a fair few head replacements and i know it would be in good hands .but that would clean my bank account out and as i have a ferry booked for the 22nd for a two week touring holiday in ireland i could do with that staying where it is for emergencys.
so I have a very competent mechanic friend who is willing to strip it down to investigate the problem and get a compession test and maybe have it skimmed if needed and then if it is as the head is shafted replace that too [there are some on ebay for £260 with head gasket and glow plugs deliverd in 24 hours ]
and that may save me upto £700
so i think i will let him try first
cheers steve

I know you don't want to hear this but...I think you are making a expensive mistake going down this route...
You cannot get a decent head for that price.
Will the block be checked.??
You also need a set of head bolts..


This is very risky and could end up a lot more expensive.
Ian has to do a good job and is responsible for the outcome.


Will the work be warrented??

[kelv]

It's human nature that many people do not want to spend the time or money doing something the right way first time.
But, they often have time and money to do it twice.

More expensive to be sure, but, new cylinder head, new head bolts, new gasket,new rad, new hoses, and new water pump, fitted by competent Bongo mechanic, would surely cure the problem and prevent recurrance. Would seem expensive in cash to start with.

Cheap cylinder head, no head bolts, everything else left the same, may be cheaper to start with , but in terms of time and cash spent in the long run ?

Whichever option, I hope it works for you and your Bongo is whizzing along without overheating, very soon.

[mikeonb4c]

I know its not what you want to hear, but I think Haydn and Kelv are right. Its good fortune really that you have one of widely scattered committed Bongo specialists near you. Ian Taylor would I'm sure own responsibility for ensuring your Bongo got fixed and stayed fixed as far as is reasonably possible.

Oddly enough, if I was in your situation is not your mates ability I'd be especially worried about (I'm sure he's good). It would be firstly the worry over buying the right quality replacement items and secondly, not knowing from experience with Bongos what special considerations might need applying in order to get a good, lasting result.

Tricky call - depends on whether you are up for risk or not I guess. Good luck whichever route you choose and keep us posted etc.

[kelv]

Certainly wish you every success with whichever route you take.

[the jonesys]

i am sure ian taylor is a first rate bod but i took the other route and took it to my m8.
he removed the head the pistons look great no water deposits the head went to a well known specialist and he said he had never seen a good bongo head yet! however he said he had never seen one as good as this one and the compression test was good so it was skimmed the valve guides we done tappets done and it was as new, with new gasket and bolts with a new water pump too! a few small vacum hoses were replaced and the results?
it still ocasionaly smokes like a bugger and judders a bit,put your foot down and it soon clears it goes well pulls well, basicaly it has had everything done but its still the same and the only thing that hasnt been done is the feuel pump and i have read some where that there is a exhuast valve thing that a lot of people weld shut?other than that what could it be?
so i am back to square one .my ferry is booked for monday and we are taking it with us regardless i will be taking spare coolant a full tool kit and green flag cover and a big funnel to bleed the system in case there may be a leaky pipe somewhere
i have come to the conclusion [browsing this forum ] the mazda bongo is a full time maintainance job and very hard work and i am comming close to thinking its not worth the trouble it may be eaisier to buy a tranny van and converting it

[dobby]

Bongo's are a bit of a hobby but then they are old cars, don't forget that most of us on the forum are bongo anoraks And this is a forum where people come for advice so there will always be stories of woe.

My Bongo suffered a mega coolant loss earlier this year but avoided an overheat (thanks to Haydn's LCA) - and Ian did the repairs.

Best advice is to keep it serviced, check the hoses and water levels and enjoy it!

[not so old]

Sorry to hear of all the problems you are having. I really wish I could help. We have been very lucky, which is very fortunate, because we are not technie minded, but you must remember that there are so many Peeps here on the forum, that in fact the percentage of serious problems are not that great, if as Graham said you keep it serviced regularly and check for leaks etc. I hope all goes well for you and wish you the very best of luck on your trip. I have my fingers crossed for you.

Cheers Anna

[Big Rich]

Hi just sounds like the same problems as mine, BIG crack in the head inlet side on no 1 cyl smoke was pumping out at junctions ... unless caning it down the road, just bought a new head and slapped it on cost £400 set of bolts £40 full engine gasket set £50 all from ebay took me a day and a half to do hope this helps Rich

[bongo bri]

i am sure ian taylor is a first rate bod but i took the other route and took it to my m8.
he removed the head the pistons look great no water deposits the head went to a well known specialist and he said he had never seen a good bongo head yet! however he said he had never seen one as good as this one and the compression test was good so it was skimmed the valve guides we done tappets done and it was as new, with new gasket and bolts with a new water pump too! a few small vacum hoses were replaced and the results?
it still ocasionaly smokes like a bugger and judders a bit,put your foot down and it soon clears it goes well pulls well, basicaly it has had everything done but its still the same and the only thing that hasnt been done is the feuel pump and i have read some where that there is a exhuast valve thing that a lot of people weld shut?other than that what could it be?
so i am back to square one .my ferry is booked for monday and we are taking it with us regardless i will be taking spare coolant a full tool kit and green flag cover and a big funnel to bleed the system in case there may be a leaky pipe somewhere
i have come to the conclusion [browsing this forum ] the mazda bongo is a full time maintainance job and very hard work and i am comming close to thinking its not worth the trouble it may be eaisier to buy a tranny van and converting it.

Sorry to hear your woes.
If you are sure the head and block are ok it could be the water jacket of the turbo but unlikely.
Someone on here bypassed the water round the turbo to test it but obviously this can only be for a short time.
My head had a tiny pin hole into an exhaust valve so water loss was very little but masses of small bubbles in header tank. Has your water level dropped since you put the head back.
Best of luck whatever you do. I agree they can be hard work but once they behave they are great.
Cheers Brian