It wasn't the dreaded head gasket but.................

[Oldboybob]

Just got back from Wheelquick where my Bongo has just had a full service, gearbox oil, coolant change (mine had next to none in it! ) new drop links on the back, and 2 new tyres on the front (mine were van tyres) and finally the EGR blanked off. Mike also checked to make sure it wasn't my worst fears of a head gasket failure. It is now running like a dream, its faster, auto box is smoother and the ride is perfect. BUT I am still getting the occasional big cloud of white smoke, mostly it happens when I have stopped at lights for instance then pull away again. Or when I have breifly stopped after a run then start the engine again it happens. Anyone have any suggestions as to what this could be? thanks!

[Muzorewa]

Glad it's not the head, I think Mr Munkey had a similar thing on his, possibly still does

[Oldboybob]

Glad it's not the head, I think Mr Munkey had a similar thing on his, possibly still does

Was absolutely dreading it being the head Paul, hopefully Mr Munkey will be on soon see if he could throw some light on it

[Muzorewa]

This is the thread I was thinking of.....

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=44362

[dreamwarrioruk]

another possibility is the turbo, esp with the loss of coolant, before ours packed up we were supping coolant and a big puff of smoke out the back when setting off.
they are water and oil cooled, ours went on the water jacket. managed to get by for a couple of weeks with the two water pipes blanked off till it gave up completely. might be worth a look at.

[Oldboybob]

This is the thread I was thinking of.....

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... =3&t=44362

Just had a read through the thread Paul, but the only difference is mine is quite erratic as to when it does it. It is not every time I start it nor is it all the time on tickover. Mike at wheelquick had it ticking over for about 40 ish minutes with not a puff of smoke, I left got on the motorway all fine it was only when I stopped at lights in Liverpool I noticed it again. So it was more than up to temp, I took it the car wash after and when I started up after only ten minutes lots of smoke. But I went shopping later on and got none at all the whole journey, stopping or starting??

[Oldboybob]

another possibility is the turbo, esp with the loss of coolant, before ours packed up we were supping coolant and a big puff of smoke out the back when setting off.
they are water and oil cooled, ours went on the water jacket. managed to get by for a couple of weeks with the two water pipes blanked off till it gave up completely. might be worth a look at.

I hope not, but will look at that if I get no joy

[JDS]

HI Bob
Really pleased the Bongo is not as bad as you feared.
Have a talk to Mike, he will know the answer.
He may not realise it is still soming occoasionally

[Oldboybob]

HI Bob
Really pleased the Bongo is not as bad as you feared.
Have a talk to Mike, he will know the answer.
He may not realise it is still soming occoasionally

I didn't realise myself Dave until I got into Liverpool, just been out and checked the coolant and the level has dropped noticably Devastated Think Dreamwarrior may be right about the turbo as Mike was convinced the head is fine.

[M 80NGO]

I don't want to rain on the parade but the symptoms that you describe are similar to my own last summer, the dealer had it back and gave it the all clear so i took it to a local garage that i've used before and they performed a whiffer test on the coolant system but rather than the usual 5 minute test that garages usually do the left it on for 30 mins, after 15 mins the blue liquid slowly started to a slight shade of yellow and confirmed that i had a very small leak on the head gasket, the dealer then paid the garage to supply and fit a complete head and gasket kit. when the garage started to strip the engine they took off the exhaust manifold and you could clearly see where coolant had been venting down the manifold.

[mister munkey]

Firstly Bob, its fairly normal for coolant to need a couple of top ups in the first few days after a change. Chances are there were a few pockets of air still in the system that tend to take a while to find their way to the top, ending up in the expansion tank. Assuming it settles within a week or two theres nothing to worry about but keep a daily eye on it in the meantime.

With regards to the smokie side of things, mine is still running like a sack of spuds when cold but I've learn't to live with it short-term by letting it tick over for a couple of minutes when cold. Suspect relay or some leccy feed disorder, its on my Round Tuit List. I did have similar symptoms to yours regarding being smokey when pulling away from lights & (more noticably) booting it up hills. This turned out to be worn piston rings. Thats been sorted now & it runs as clean as a whistle & for the first time in the four years of ownership (Touch Wood) Its used no oil or coolant in the last 7000 miles.

[Oldboybob]

I hope its nothing serious as it runs like a dream starts on the button and is as smooth as you like. Will get on the blower to Mike tomorrow and see if he can give me some inexpensive news

[Oldboybob]

Have driven it this morning, was a bit lumpy from cold topped up coolant drove about 6 miles still quite smoky especially on take off or tick over, checked coolant again absolutely no loss?

[M 80NGO]

Have driven it this morning, was a bit lumpy from cold topped up coolant drove about 6 miles still quite smoky especially on take off or tick over, checked coolant again absolutely no loss?

Does she use much engine oil ?

[bigdaddycain]

Have driven it this morning, was a bit lumpy from cold topped up coolant drove about 6 miles still quite smoky especially on take off or tick over, checked coolant again absolutely no loss?

You may well discover the level has dropped again (but not as much as this morning) Bob... This is perfectly normal, indeed it's to be expected following a coolant change, all bongo's are different, some bleed better than others, with various amounts of air from one bongo to another in the engine post bleed. Just keep an eye on things... For the sake of getting your back mucky, lie on the floor at the rear of the bongo in the morning and give the exhaust a good shake from side to side...Is there the sound of water sloshing around in the backbox?