URGENT HELP FOR VIRGIN BONGO BOY

[maddy06]

Purchased my much loved Bongo 4 weeks ago from a private seller.Got 3/4 of way home(7miles),when i felt and heard an almighty crunching noise when i moved off or reversed.Called the guy i had bought it from who came down and we took it for a spin.It soon became apparent that the passenger side rear wheel was shifting when we pulled off.The seller agreed to take the vehicle and get it fixed at his expense.When it was returned the invoice stated"supply and fit s/hand diff and half shafts".For next 2 weeks i merrily tootled around waving to my adoring public.2 weeks ago came it's first serious outing,so packed up the Bongo with wife,dog and baby and off we went to the sunny south.After just 80-90 miles i could feel the vehicle wanting to pull to the right.Some few miles later we spotted smoke pouring from the back of the vehicle.Was eventually towed home and then had vehicle collected and taken to fitter of new diff (bongo friendly garage on this site).He advised me after a couple of days that it seemed the pressure release valve had failed and as a result the seals had burnt out.He fitted new seals and took it on a run,when exactly the same happened to him as had happened to me.He is at a loss to determine what the problem is.At present he has no computer access and cannot look for any help.Having studied some of the problems on here,there are tales of the same thing happening,which seem to involve the viscous coupling.Does this sound about right?If so where is it situated and is it a fairly sourcable part.An help or advice would be greatly appreciated as i am keen to get my Bongo career up and running.

[dandywarhol]

Difficult one to diagnose over the interweb maddy but it sounds like you have a limited slip differential fitted which could cause a pull if faulty. The viscous coupling is in the transfer box, next to the gearbox so it probably isn't that but there could be a viscous device which controls the limited slip, situated in the diff. I'd need to see a workshop manual.

Not so sure about the "pressure relief valve" theory as I don't believe they have one. The diff will have a breather which can occassionally become blocked, especially if someone had undersealed it! This can lead to the seals letting oil past onto the brakes which could then smoke..............