Smokey on startup and 1st few 100 yards

[Dodgey]

My Bongo has, in the last few months stared to misbehave a little.

On startup, it fires on 3 cylinders (or there abouts - that's what it feels like), and with a firm prod of the throttle, smooths out fine. I can usually avoid the rough start by waiting a few more seconds after the glow plug light has gone out before firing her up)

When you then drive off, it leaves a blue smokey trail. Not massively cloudy but clearly visible (I've followed it from behind - you don't notice if you are driving). This fades to unnoticable after a minute or less.

from a few searches it seems it's either:

- cold start solenoid or pipes - any diagrams or links as to what I'm looking for and how to test?
- leaking valve stem seals. Hope not.

Any input appreciated.

p.s. just passed the MOT fine. He mentioned is was smokey but it had no problems with emissions. I assume that's because the smoke stops fairly shortly after startup.

[ICBongo]

Hi

Mine too is doing this - I assumed I needed to replace the glow plugs.

I'd be interested to read the other replies to this thread.

[Northern Bongolow]

sounds like glow plugs to me, if you have never had some new ones its a good idea anyway.
there are 2 different lengths fitted to bongo.s, its supposed to be age related but in reality they seem to fit both lengths from 95 to 1999. the difference in length is [out of the head] so is visible when fitted. either 83mm or 102mm or simiar. make sure you get the correct length fitted or you may have problems with the glow plug live rail supply.

see here for info.

http://www.mazdabongo.com/catalog/filte ... re-99-83mm.

the ngk ones are really good quality and seem to last for years, some cheap ones dont last 1 year.

the blue smoke you see on start up if perfectly normal.

[ICBongo]

Thanks for the reply.

This is one of my next jobs to tackle

[Northern Bongolow]

if you study the pics in this link you will notice that the difference is between the top of the thread up to the nut part where you put your socket to remove them. then check yours, it is fairly obvious once you know where to look .

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=mazda ... B300%3B300

[dobby]

I don't rely on the glow plug light but wait until the realy clicks out, starts cleanly and cranks well in the cold. Don't know if it will help the smokey start up but worth a try

[Dodgey]

I dont hear any relay clicks at all....

[ICBongo]

I just thought I'd pop up again and let you know about my Bongo now.

We have just had the MOT done (anti-roll bars replaced) and at the same time I asked the garage to replace the glow plugs. Frosty the bongo now starts and runs like a dream, no more lumpy starting or large plumes of smoke!

The plugs cost about £13+VAT so it's a cheap and well worth it repair.

Hope that helps.

[mikeonb4c]

I just thought I'd pop up again and let you know about my Bongo now.

We have just had the MOT done (anti-roll bars replaced) and at the same time I asked the garage to replace the glow plugs. Frosty the bongo now starts and runs like a dream, no more lumpy starting or large plumes of smoke!

The plugs cost about £13+VAT so it's a cheap and well worth it repair.

Hope that helps.

Excellent result

[dobby]

I dont hear any relay clicks at all....

It's probably all that solar tech you've got fitted but on a sensible note the relay clicks about 10 to 20 secs after the glow plug light goes out. I've got an LED volt indicator and there's a drop and then a rise before/after the click.

[Dodgey]

. Perhaps I have an unusually quiet relay!

[dobby]

Or its not clicking on to start with and therefore you're not hearing it click off.......?

[Dodgey]

an update - 4 new NGK glow plugs and it's still the same. I also noticed that cylinder 1's plug was coated in carbon where the rest were clean. I've bought some injector cleaner and I'll see if that helps (apparently an injector can get clogged and the resulting poor spray pattern can cause similar problems.... will let you know after I've got through a tank next week. (easily done!)

[Northern Bongolow]

is this worse when the coolant is below about 10 deg c or a cool morning, then ok for the rest of the day.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Dodgey...
If you buy injector cleaner, try Redex first, as there's no abrasives in it, and it just dissolves the gumming that sometimes can glue the injector up a bit...IF no joy after a tankful, THEN try an abrasive cleaner, but NEVER use the abrasive variety regularly, as they can wreck the injector , and you'll end up with having to replace them. It worked a treat when I got the Bongo 10 years ago...a good treatment with Redex!....I wrote to the company at the time to check the ingredients , and the tech dept. were nice enough to send a very good reply!
One thing that can cause problems, is where you fill up...if they have excess water in the holding tank (all diesel contains a bit of water), then it may be (only MAY ) a cause.
If the Bongo runs smoothly after a while, it still COULD be plugs...perhaps the one that was a bit discoloured hasn't got a good connection, somehow (unlikely, as the current is along a busbar, but anything's possible???
Cheers
Helen