Bongo woes (cooling leak)

[BongoBongo123]

Sure but a bongo conversant garage would probably be the best bet, the towing thing is a good idea of course, maybe the garage has a tow option (I am just waiting their reply). Thing is I have minimal interest in mechanics myself just normal basic maintenance. I can do the basics and from then onwards I am afraid I will have to hand it over to the experts.

Glad we have not got any weekends away planned for a little while otherwise that would be up the swanny with this particular problem.

It had to go in anyway cause I have a cam belt kit coming.. so in that respect at least they will already have apart.

Indeed they would but it's hard to recommend one (unless someone already has) without knowing your location. Also I'd venture one or two on here are more knowledgeable on bongos than a local garage and they have no interest in taking your money. But there's no substitute for inspecting a machine 'in the flesh'. Good luck getting it sorted.

I am sure the knowledge on here is second to none. But it seems a massive ask for a Bongo enthusiast to mosely on down and check out the Bongo leak on the roadside.

[Muzorewa]

You never know. We did over 500 mile round trip to deliver an alternator to someone who was stranded in a field. And a 250 mile round trip to see if a Bongo would go in someone's yard before they committed to buy one. There are some enthusiasts here you know

[BongoBongo123]

Nice to know....

Well my enthusiasm is waning already after an optimistic start, we have not even been anywhere in it yet ... I checked the roadside where bongo is right now and see a puddle of oily liquid so that must be turbo coolant at a guess given the picture. Not good that it has leaked both water and oil.. I am worried what has happened to it.

I wish I had researched that this vehicle had a cooling system unreliability (judging by the number of coolant problems on this forum it must be so)and a temperature gauge that might as well not exist on the panel. Cooling problems likely AND a useless temp gauge, great engineering combination that.

Sorry at a bit of Bongo low ebb right now.

Getting towed tomorrow.

Hope there is some light at end of tunnel. (coolant tunnel)

The second I saw mid mounted engine I thought thats gonna be HOT ! One of my first posts was about fears of roasting alive in the cabin.

[Muzorewa]

Bongos don't have cooling problems if they've been maintained properly. True, you do see many coolant threads on here but people only post up about problems, rarely do people post "I went 300 miles yesterday and my Bongo didn't blow up" threads. The majority are fine but there are some lemons out there that have been bodged up for sale.

[mikeonb4c]

Muz's Bongo has done 350k kilometres in all conditions without missing a beat. Bongos are not the problem, poor ownership is. This a great car but it's still a car. You would do well to have someone who knows their Bongos look at yours. And try not to get too down about it until you've had an expert opinion.

What is your location?

[BongoBongo123]

Sure I know it is probably not worse than any other 19 y.o. vehicle if maintained correctly. There are limits of what to check when buying especially when you are not an expert, more of a know the basics of what to check each 3 months kind of bloke.

I did to a de-coke on a head/re seat valves and replace head gasket once when I was 20 or so but have neither the time or facility anymore. I am getting that coolant alarm.

For now it's booked in and this guy is on the Bongo conversant list and seemed knowledgeable and decent. Cam Belt Quote £150.00 (+ the cam belt kit I got from the website) £30.00 for the local low loader guy.

[BongoBongo123]

In for repair and cam belt, spring and bearing thing... initial look indicates it might not be a major repair. I have asked the chap to check all the other coolant pipes out. I am happy to pay a pro who knows what he is doing.

Sorry for getting a bit uptight on here, just got a bit disappointed I suppose it's a great forum and very helpful. I am in the position where I know a little bit.. i.e. when somethings not right and fairly early luckily but not really have time or deep knowledge to repair the internals. The old bleeding the cooling system looks a bit of a palarva on the youtube video, great that someone put that video up though for the mechanically adventurous.

Must get the coolant alarm next.

[mikeonb4c]

In for repair and cam belt, spring and bearing thing... initial look indicates it might not be a major repair. I have asked the chap to check all the other coolant pipes out. I am happy to pay a pro who knows what he is doing.

Sorry for getting a bit uptight on here, just got a bit disappointed I suppose it's a great forum and very helpful. I am in the position where I know a little bit.. i.e. when somethings not right and fairly early luckily but not really have time or deep knowledge to repair the internals. The old bleeding the cooling system looks a bit of a palarva on the youtube video, great that someone put that video up though for the mechanically adventurous.

Must get the coolant alarm next.

No problem, and glad it's being sorted. Keep us posted on how things go - this is indeed a fantastic club and a huge bonus for those choosing to own a Bongo. But they are ageing and its best to budget accordingly. I always remind myself what the alternative would have cost! My friends have a VW that cost £30k !

[BongoBongo123]

Yes will do I expect to hear something by end of Mon or Tues with luck.

[BongoBongo123]

Had a call seems cam belt done the turbo coolant pipe replaced and I am having the coolant system flushed and refilled/bled as the coolant that he saw apparently looked very grim.

Standing by for the job done call.

Glad I have found someone within walking distance (though it is 4 miles away, but I like walking) who can get knowledgeably intimate with the bongos bits.

I feel a little pride to be a person who wants and actually does get his bongo serviced properly. Even if I cannot do it myself. (yet, you never know)

The guy also gave me a top tip about brushing out the rear arches (loads of dusty dry mud came out) and spraying Waxoyl under them. My arches are very solid but there is the very very slightest of bubble appearing near the very bottom rear of the arch (where the water sprays up off the tyre). It's tiny but best take action now than leave it.

Will have to get coolant alarm next.

[BongoBongo123]

Bongo back in business : ) 100 mile test run yesterday... lovely run, no issues. Piece of mind with the cam belt and very happy with this guys work on the Bongo. I shall be getting it service regularly there. Glad I had the flush as well. Onwards we go...

[Muzorewa]