Newbie with some tech questions

[billyboy205gti]

Hi

I've joined the forum to get up to speed on Bongo Matters. ( Although I have a Freda )

I have two questions, so far. Firstly the rear cigarette lighter does not work. Which is a PITA as I cannot easily use my kitchen. Is this a comon fault? - I suspect it might be a fuse as the front cig lighter is fine. Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be the problem, and where I can find it.

Second problem, I've noticed an oil leak, i think it is from the auto box, possibly where it joins the engine. I suspect a seal has gone. Luckily the car is still in warranty and it covers seals. However are the seals easy to get hold of/where can i get them from? Or again is this a common problem?

thanks in advance for any help.

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome billyboy205gti. Can't advise on ciggie lighter but it gets discussed a lot o nhere so have a search. I do know the general view is the wiring to it is inadequately rated for any serious use so - assuming it is properly fuse protected - a fuse may have blown if anyone tried to draw a serious current from it. Serious campers run new, heavier duty, fused, wiring to it.

Are you sure the oil leak is where it appears? I can't recall a leak like that being discussed on here before. First step (if not already tried) might be to try and clean off the area to see if the source is really where you suspect. Oil (and diesel, if you have a small leak on the diesel pump) can so easily work its way round to a low point from a long way off. Have you lifted the engine covers to give it all a good look over. Although it is under warranty, you don't want to use up what might be limited goodwill until or unless you know exactly what is going on. Diesel Bongos often weep oil from the rocker cover (usually towards the rear? not sure, but possibly), so check that. Fuel pump (drivers side of engine block) can drip fuel and once its whipped onto engine block by airflow etc. it can look like wetting with blakc oil. The fuel usually ends up causing a drip from the rear of the underbody cover that covers up the engine and front half of the autobox. Easy to mistake it for oil. A leak like that should be fixed under warranty (usually caused by failing O ring seals). Finally, the EGR (Exhuast Gas Recirculation) can put black gunge over the enginer (drivers side), but I wouldn't expect that to spread and drip from the underside.

What age/type/mileage is the Bongo?

Good luck and keep us posted.

Mike

[billyboy205gti]

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I think the problem might well be as you described regarding a leak from the fuel pump. It seems to be dripping from the underbody cover. So it looks like either a new fuel pump or seals for said item. Where can I source them?

Bongo is a Ford Freda 1996 n reg, imported on Aug this year, mileage is 108000km. I am about to have a cam belt fitted, and whilst there i'll get them to confirm the source of the leak.

thanks again

[mister munkey]

Pump seals £4.50 from the club shop or try someone like BongoBits who advertise on here.

Best of luck.

[mikeonb4c]

Hi, thanks for the feedback. I think the problem might well be as you described regarding a leak from the fuel pump. It seems to be dripping from the underbody cover. So it looks like either a new fuel pump or seals for said item. Where can I source them?

Bongo is a Ford Freda 1996 n reg, imported on Aug this year, mileage is 108000km. I am about to have a cam belt fitted, and whilst there i'll get them to confirm the source of the leak.

thanks again

BF member Dandywarhol (a mechanic who now teaches mechanics) got some from Lawsons Diesels in Edinburgh who were happy to post them out on request from members. Have a search on here for exact address.

Your Freda sounds the right age/mileage to be having this problem. It shouldn't have been sold to you like that (theoretically it is an MOT failure I believe) so you are entitled to invoke warranty I reckon (but some garages can be tricky on this - stating it only covers main engine components and the claiming the pump is ancillary equipment, which is why it might be worth cecking and using the MOT argument i.e. not in roadworthy condition).

Although parts cost is minimal, the job can be tricky without removing the pump due to v. constricted access. If the pump is removed to do it, it needs to be reset precisely so timing is OK. Does this garage have expertise in working on Bongos or are they just importers? Depending on where you are based and how far off you are from the dealer, if you deal with them calmly and reasonably you may get agreement to have it done by someone local to you. If we can source a good local Bongo garage then you'd be home and dry (where are you based by the way - its worth putting it in your profile as its helps us to help you)

[billyboy205gti]

I am based in didcot oxon. I bought the car from SD Timmo, he's actually been very reasonable, and i do not see any issues with warranty work. he supplied the car with one of those after market warranties which has already paid out for a window regulator.

the car is off to someone local who had not worked on bongo's before, so we'll see how he gets on with it. he has already quoted a good price for the cam belt replacement, and I have explained to him about the warranty etc - so he shoul dbe able to do the work once the warranty co agree to it.

It's possibly worth mentioning that I work in the car parts business so i am quite sure i can hold my own when it comes to dicussing who pays for what...

[dblake]

Welcome to the forums BillyBoy!
Go and introduce yourself in the Thames Vally etc forum - there's a growing band of us in our area
Have fun!

[mikeonb4c]

I am based in didcot oxon. I bought the car from SD Timmo, he's actually been very reasonable, and i do not see any issues with warranty work. he supplied the car with one of those after market warranties which has already paid out for a window regulator.

the car is off to someone local who had not worked on bongo's before, so we'll see how he gets on with it. he has already quoted a good price for the cam belt replacement, and I have explained to him about the warranty etc - so he shoul dbe able to do the work once the warranty co agree to it.

It's possibly worth mentioning that I work in the car parts business so i am quite sure i can hold my own when it comes to dicussing who pays for what...

That's good to know - Hope you get it sorted OK.

[g8dhe]

The fuse for the rear lighter is the same one as for the front;

However others have reported that there is a fuse strip built into the lighter socket itself, if that's not the fault then it might be the earthing point which is number 4 for the rear lighter and is here;

Down by the passenger footwell.

[billyboy205gti]

thanks for the schematic.

another question on oil, how often does the g/box oil need changing? and what type/grade of oil does a bongo use in the gearbox?

[mikeonb4c]

thanks for the schematic.

another question on oil, how often does the g/box oil need changing? and what type/grade of oil does a bongo use in the gearbox?

Should all be on here somewhere if you have a search (Dexion 4 or something? can't really remember). I have a mental note that officially it should be done every 24k miles, but there's some debate about how essential tthat really is.

[missfixit70]

thanks for the schematic.

another question on oil, how often does the g/box oil need changing? and what type/grade of oil does a bongo use in the gearbox?

Dexron III, factsheet in the members area on changing it, or this may help - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=30096

[billyboy205gti]

Update,

cambelt has been fitted, and the price was fair £200 all in. They cleaned the engine off, and believe the oil leak is from the inlet manifold gasket. they have tightened a couple of loose bolts which they believe was the source of the problem. So I'll keep an eye on it over the next few weeks, i've got 3 months left on the warranty.

Now all i've got to do is carry out an oils ans filters service. Joy!

[missfixit70]

Air manifold leak probably due mainly to the egr - http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 43&t=14463 - easy job to blank it as it's doubtful it's doing much useful.

[dave_aber]

Note to self to check/tighten the inlet manifold.