How to tell if turbo is working?

[Fassi]

Hi again. Is there a way that I can verify if my turbo works? My bongo seems very sluggish. 2.5td 2wd 1995. Thanks.

[Northern Bongolow]

this is good starting point vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AekW0nEK5Gg.

check all the pipework from the airbox round the back of the head to the turbo inlet, the 3 inch black one, it should have 2 smaller pipes joining into it, one is about 10mm, the other is about 25mm, make sure they are connected, but performance drop is usually on the outward side, towards the intercooler and around to the inlet manifold, make sure your intercooler and pipework and scoop isnt damaged, or full of old oil, it relies on the air leaving the turbo being cooled in the cooler to lower the density so the cooler cannot be holed or the pipes damaged.
is the actuator rod moving freely, this works the wastegate, if its stuck it wont work right.

has your bongo got the winter pack valve in the exhaust, if it has is it ON, or has it stuck on even when switched OFF.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html.

this is the valve in the exhaust.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html

[Fassi]

this is good starting point vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AekW0nEK5Gg.

check all the pipework from the airbox round the back of the head to the turbo inlet, the 3 inch black one, it should have 2 smaller pipes joining into it, one is about 10mm, the other is about 25mm, make sure they are connected, but performance drop is usually on the outward side, towards the intercooler and around to the inlet manifold, make sure your intercooler and pipework and scoop isnt damaged, or full of old oil, it relies on the air leaving the turbo being cooled in the cooler to lower the density so the cooler cannot be holed or the pipes damaged.
is the actuator rod moving freely, this works the wastegate, if its stuck it wont work right.

has your bongo got the winter pack valve in the exhaust, if it has is it ON, or has it stuck on even when switched OFF.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html.

this is the valve in the exhaust.

http://lushprojects.com/bongopartsmk2/c ... mgno=.html

Really appreciate the detailed answer. I will look into this when I get back to Scotland from my Euro trip along with all the other bits and bobs I need to address.

I'm only getting 30 mph, sometimes less when going up some mountains but it is the Austrian alps. Maybe I'm worrying for nothing.

Cooling is working great thanks to all the tips and advice

[Bob]

High air temperature and altitude will reduce oxygen density, this could be the problem.

[Simon Jones]

I'm only getting 30 mph, sometimes less when going up some mountains but it is the Austrian alps. Maybe I'm worrying for nothing.

I'm hoping you meant 30 mpg otherwise I'd hate to get stuck behind you on a narrow road . If you do mean 30 mpg than you're doing well and have nothing to worry about.

[Northern Bongolow]

are you using the hold button and letting it rev harder, the turbo on an auto doesnt start to come in unless its doing just under 2000 revs if i remember right. or you could select 2 on the stick and let it rev harder or select an even lower gear.

[Fassi]

I'm only getting 30 mph, sometimes less when going up some mountains but it is the Austrian alps. Maybe I'm worrying for nothing.

I'm hoping you meant 30 mpg otherwise I'd hate to get stuck behind you on a narrow road . If you do mean 30 mpg than you're doing well and have nothing to worry about.

Sadly it is 30mph up the hills. I'm pulling over every 5 mins to let the queues go past. Maybe this is why the cooling is working good haha. On flat roads it is still sluggish but not so bad. I have been crusing at 70 on the motorway but takes a while to get there.

[Fassi]

are you using the hold button and letting it rev harder, the turbo on an auto doesnt start to come in unless its doing just under 2000 revs if i remember right. or you could select 2 on the stick and let it rev harder or select an even lower gear.

I have been using the gear change and hold button to good effect coming down the hills. Going up I occasionally change into second or use hold but it still seems to struggle. Should I notice a considerable difference when the turbo kicks in? Either going up a hill or on the flat? Also if I kick down the accelerator pedal there are a few seconds delay before the auto gearbox realises I want to go quicker. It then changes gear but this is generally just followed by high revs and not much power.

One day about a week ago we ended up on a motorway fairly early after setting off and the engine was not up to working temperature. I tried to go faster as I pulled onto the motorway and it suddenly had lots of accerleration. This was the one and only instance of this.

[Fassi]

has your bongo got the winter pack valve in the exhaust, if it has is it ON, or has it stuck on even when switched OFF.

I don't have the switch at the drivers knee so I guess not?

I would love to get in about all the faults the bongo has but it is proving difficult while on holiday. I've started a few threads with the problems I'm encountering but not getting a chance to give proper feedback on the help offered. I will work through all the guidance given at the earliest opportunity and I'm taking note of everything. Really appreciate your help and everyone else's. Thank you.

[Simon Jones]

If the gear change is slightly erratic at kick down, it could be that the throttle position sensor (TPS) is a bit dodgy or needs adjusting. I've had a diesel and V6 Bongo and neither are going to win any awards for hill climbing but with suitable use of gears it should be possible to make reasonable pace.

[mikeonb4c]

If the gear change is slightly erratic at kick down, it could be that the throttle position sensor (TPS) is a bit dodgy or needs adjusting. I've had a diesel and V6 Bongo and neither are going to win any awards for hill climbing but with suitable use of gears it should be possible to make reasonable pace.

Not bad for a 2 ton 20 year old design though. I'm certain my 1990 Cavalier 1.6, or even my 1994 Renault Laguna 2.0, would have been harder work to get up Sutton Bank this week (with 6 adults on board) than the diesel Bongo, especially without the automatic gearbox that removes any drama with the Bongo. Ditto going down, with the bongos excellent engine braking and S position and HOLD options on the autobox.

I was wondering about the tps also, though atmospheric conditions and the normal (turbo) lag when moving off might explain part of the description.

[Northern Bongolow]

could be tps or something really simple like fuel, have you done all the usual suspects, main fuel filter, filter in the top of the pump (banjo filter) and removed the fuel supply pipe to the filter housing and gently blow back to the tank, it has a thimble filter on the pick up pipe in the tank.

[helen&tony]

Hi
There might be something in the thought on fuel...some years back, I can't remember whether it was Italy or Greece, the fuel was abominable, and the Bongo was constantly erratic on throttle response on the local fuel...but we found that filling up every time we saw a Shell garage, the Bongo ran a great deal better, so it seemed that there was some real crappy fuel about!....we struggled with various mountain ranges when we had bad fuel!!!!
Cheers
Helen

[Gasy]

I've just towed a 1 1/2 ton caravan up some biggish hills in devon ( not mountains )
But never got down to 30 mph
Must be something wrong with yours
As said check that little banjo filter

[helen&tony]

Hi
Ah...Alps = BIG hills....Devon = small hills....perhaps like the Dutch mountains
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyzg9GInHbw

Cheers
Helen