Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Technical questions and answers about the Mazda Bongo

Moderators: Doone, westonwarrior

User avatar
madmile
Supreme Being
Posts: 1506
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: south wales

Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by madmile » Wed May 26, 2010 9:02 pm

I needed to have a new alternator belt today, so had the two replaced plus the air con belt which had broken last friday - Anyway, on my way back from picking up a customer from the station I seemed to start loosing power. Its about a 10 mile drive back, and after 8 miles it was all I could do, to maintain 35mph. Slipping it into nuetral, it would not rev beyond 3000 rpm and there was quite a bit of blue smoke. Just as we got back we could feel it start to miss as you revved it.
Got back in 20 mins later after customer had gone, and it seemed fine. Gave it a good thrash up the road and after a few miles the symptoms seemed to reappear.
Any ideas, Is there anything that could be dislodged doing the belts that could affect the engine. Sounds a bit terminal to me, and I am supposed to be away this weekend :twisted: .
The only other thing I have done is put a bit of fuel in - clutching at straws now :roll: . I am OK with a router and woodwork, but spanners and engines are not my department.

Thanks
Ed
User avatar
mikexgough
Supreme Being
Posts: 6158
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:02 pm
Location: Cambridgeshire - where the all the Slodgers reside
Contact:

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by mikexgough » Wed May 26, 2010 9:10 pm

I guess it was all running fine before....?.... if it's a diesel I would hedge my bets with the usual suspects ....Fuel filter and banjo filter and work from there....
Conversant with Bongo Top Pinion Oil Seals

Bongo owning Velotech Cycle Mechanic
User avatar
mister munkey
Supreme Being
Posts: 5184
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:11 pm
Location: Not Far From Royston Vasey, West Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by mister munkey » Wed May 26, 2010 9:11 pm

Blue smoke indicates burning oil. Could be turbo/turbo hose, piston rings or some sinister head problem . . .

What local help do you have Ed?
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/MisterMunkey
User avatar
madmile
Supreme Being
Posts: 1506
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: south wales

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by madmile » Wed May 26, 2010 9:19 pm

I was thinking piston rings and buring oil and possibly due to heat as it goes away once the engine cools down a bit.

I will see the garage tomorrow, but they are up their eyes in it and only just about had time to put the new belts on today, so finding out what is wrong may not happen straight away.

I wouldnt think a fuel problem would cause blue smoke - would have expected it to be black, but I definitely am not qualified in this area so can only guess and poke it with a stick.
User avatar
mister munkey
Supreme Being
Posts: 5184
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:11 pm
Location: Not Far From Royston Vasey, West Yorkshire
Contact:

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by mister munkey » Wed May 26, 2010 9:21 pm

Have you checked the oil level?
The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing. http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/MisterMunkey
User avatar
madmile
Supreme Being
Posts: 1506
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: south wales

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by madmile » Wed May 26, 2010 9:30 pm

mister munkey wrote:Have you checked the oil level?
I did have a quick look - it was just below the top, but this has only just happened and so even if it is buring some oil it hasnt had chance to burn much yet. Certainly no sign of any leaking.
User avatar
madmile
Supreme Being
Posts: 1506
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: south wales

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by madmile » Wed May 26, 2010 9:35 pm

Yes, it was running fine before. Went to newbury motorhome show on friday, and with the exception of a few noises from my sqeaking alternator belt and a failing air con belt, it has been running fine.
User avatar
missfixit70
Supreme Being
Posts: 12431
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:53 pm
Location: weymouth

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by missfixit70 » Wed May 26, 2010 9:50 pm

Check the air intake isn't blocked, pipework hasn't collapsed disconnected & air filter is ok.
You can't polish a turd - but you can roll it in glitter.
User avatar
mikexgough
Supreme Being
Posts: 6158
Joined: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:02 pm
Location: Cambridgeshire - where the all the Slodgers reside
Contact:

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by mikexgough » Wed May 26, 2010 9:53 pm

Missing to me ..........suggests a possible injector blockage or air blockage.....hence starting at the fuel side and working from there....
Conversant with Bongo Top Pinion Oil Seals

Bongo owning Velotech Cycle Mechanic
User avatar
dandywarhol
Supreme Being
Posts: 5446
Joined: Mon Dec 19, 2005 10:18 pm
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by dandywarhol » Wed May 26, 2010 10:54 pm

Unlikely to be piston rings to suddenly go Ed - if it is the turbo oil seals/rings then be very careful of the engine injesting and running on the turbo oil feed supply - you'd then have a runnaway engine which will NOT shut off and rev itself to smithereens!
Whale oil beef hooked
Renault Lunar Telstar
Yamaha TD1C 250, Merc SLK200, KTM Duke 690
User avatar
madmile
Supreme Being
Posts: 1506
Joined: Thu May 12, 2005 10:45 pm
Location: south wales

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by madmile » Wed May 26, 2010 11:12 pm

.
dandywarhol wrote:Unlikely to be piston rings to suddenly go Ed - if it is the turbo oil seals/rings then be very careful of the engine injesting and running on the turbo oil feed supply - you'd then have a runnaway engine which will NOT shut off and rev itself to smithereens!
You have me worried now :shock: - if that happens, how do you stop it......or do you just stand back , wait for it to blow, and possibly even film it for youtube :lol: . You gotta laugh or else its too painful. I have been converting bongos for about 6 years. I almost made my mind up to make the bash this year, and now this happens. Plus I am supposed to be camping this weekend. :evil:
User avatar
missfixit70
Supreme Being
Posts: 12431
Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:53 pm
Location: weymouth

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by missfixit70 » Wed May 26, 2010 11:17 pm

Not a lot you can do to stop it if that is the cause, blocking the air intake may work?
You can't polish a turd - but you can roll it in glitter.
User avatar
Northern Bongolow
Supreme Being
Posts: 7722
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:33 pm
Location: AKA Vanessa

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by Northern Bongolow » Thu May 27, 2010 2:52 am

just a weird thought, you said you had belt troubles/noises,could it be manifold stud broken or several.this makes whistling noises when gone,and could affect performance,and give smoke.
rita
Supreme Being
Posts: 3286
Joined: Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:11 pm

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by rita » Thu May 27, 2010 10:35 am

Hi Ed,

It would be worthwhile checking your fuel (The only other thing I have done is put a bit of fuel in)

You might have picked up some thing from the pump.

Check your receipt for type of fuel.
Wicker Man
Bongonaut
Posts: 44
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 5:55 pm

Re: Loss of Power and Blue smoke.

Post by Wicker Man » Thu May 27, 2010 11:21 am

rita wrote:Hi Ed,

It would be worthwhile checking your fuel (The only other thing I have done is put a bit of fuel in)

You might have picked up some thing from the pump.

Check your receipt for type of fuel.
Haven't a clue if that's the problem, but even if you used the right pump it could be the wrong fuel. Our local supermarket managed to get the diesel and petrol tanks mixed up when they were refilled. There were a few angry local motorists!
Post Reply

Return to “Techie Stuff”