We've bought our first Bongo! Now the questions begin!!

[mtbkim]

Hi
We've been looking for ages & today have bought a '96 diesel fully converted Bongo! Very Excited!
Now start the worries & the questions! I'm sure I'll find answers using the 'search' function, but I'll mention them here.
It's just coming up to 60k miles & therefore I assume a cambelt change is due? The current owner's not sure if it was changed when imported & converted (I know a lot of importers advertise that they do this?), but is there any thing to look for to be able to tell if it has been done?
Also, the aircon didn't seem to be very cold, is it likely that it just needs a service & what's the likely cost for that?
Can't wait to pick it up next weekend!

[francophile1947]

If in doubt, get the cambelt changed - better safe than sorry
Aircon needs using weekly to keep it in tip top condition. Kwik-Fit do a refill service for £45 approx - if it doesn't work, you don't pay. There may well be other aircon engineers in your area - just don't go to a main dealer (unless you are very rich )

[steviebongo]

if there's no serv history then i would just start from scratch ,service and t/belt and u wouldnt go wrong as to the a/c the a/c should be at least 5 degrees below ambient temp,also when u turn the a/c on u notice a dip in power ,a good pointer that the system is operational.if it is'nt then any local a/c depot should manage a recharge or serv of the system ,my work charges £90 for a recharge and dye installation, even kwik fit does this and if memory serve's me right the system takes approx 950gms for a dual system and 750 gms for single.best of luck andwelcome to bongo world .




cheers stevie

[aitch]

welcome to the world of Bongo get the cambelt changed for peace of mind also fit a low coolant alarm if not already done contact member haydn callow for details worth the cost as can save you ££££ for a new head

have fun

[not so old]

Welcome and Congratulations I am sure you will find all the answers to your questions here

Cheers Anna

[mtbkim]

Thanks for the quick replies!!

The Kwikfit fix for the air-con certainly seems pursuing!
What's the usual price to expect to pay for a cambelt change?
Have looked at coolant alarms, quite a few to choose from on the website?!

One more question(!)
The electric blinds are still wired into the main ignition, I'm sure a lot of converters wire them into the leisure battery (makes sense to me, being able to open the blinds when you wake up, without having to scramble to the ignition). Has anyone done this, is it an easy job?

Thanks again!!

[daveblueozzie]

Get a Haydn's coolant alarm, http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk/
If you can get a Mason alarm http://www.townace this makes the bongo temp gauge work properly.
The blinds ,interior lights ,ciggy lighter and radio can all be run from the leisure battery using a willinton kit from ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA-BONGO-100-A ... dZViewItem

[widdowson2008]

Forget the Mason alarm (sorry DBO - I'm a biased)
If you can afford it, Fit the TM-2 its brilliant. (and paint the Mazda temperature gauge black cos its useless.)

[mtbkim]

Have been looking at Haydn's site. Was looking at either ESTC/Combo or Low Coolant Alarm/TM-2 Combined, not sure which way to go, sounds like they do the same thing?

Thanks for the reply about the split charge relay, but I think that's all there? The interior lights work off the leisure battery, just not the blinds?

[daveblueozzie]

Forget the Mason alarm (sorry DBO - I'm a biased)
If you can afford it, Fit the TM-2 its brilliant. (and paint the Mazda temperature gauge black cos its useless.)

I agree ,but if cost comes into it ,£72 for a TM-1 and £27 for a mason is a bit cheaper than £180 for a TM-2.

[widdowson2008]

Forget the Mason alarm (sorry DBO - I'm a biased)
If you can afford it, Fit the TM-2 its brilliant. (and paint the Mazda temperature gauge black cos its useless.)

I agree ,but if cost comes into it ,£72 for a TM-1 and £27 for a mason is a bit cheaper than £180 for a TM-2.

I think its generally accepted that the Mazda temperature gauge is a pile of crap, so what do you get when you paint the pile of crap pink? answer: a pink pile of crap. -------------PAINT IT BLACK

Remind me, how much does a cylinder head cost?

[Triple/R]

Forget the Mason alarm (sorry DBO - I'm a biased)
If you can afford it, Fit the TM-2 its brilliant. (and paint the Mazda temperature gauge black cos its useless.)

I agree ,but if cost comes into it ,£72 for a TM-1 and £27 for a mason is a bit cheaper than £180 for a TM-2.

I think the TM2 is £135-- well that's what i paid at the Bash but obviously that's not fitted.

[widdowson2008]

Triple/R
I think thats about what I paid too

[Triple/R]

Triple/R
I think thats about what I paid too

Yes good point how much for a cylinder head?????????????????

[missfixit70]

Think there may be some confusion here, there isn't a TM1, there is the Coolant alarm - MK 1, 2 & 3 (1 - permanently wired in, 2 - plugged into ciggy socket, 3 - plugged into ciggy socket but built into a 3way adapter)
The TM2 is a digital temp sensor/display/alarm for £75, or Haydn does a TM2 combined with the coolant alarm for £135.
If you look here - http://www.coolantalarm.co.uk/index.php It should all be made clear
There is also the Mason Alarm, from Paul Mason http://www.townace.plus.com/ie/ietemga2.htm very good bit of kit also, do your research & make your choice.