Hibernating Bongo

[redz79]

Hi all
thanks for the replies, modern petrol contains lots of ethanol and not much benzene now , remember the days when you could get 2 3 and 4 star it would last for years , it also damages rubber seals in the fuel system, I have just had a set of six bike carbs rebuilt with nitril seals and an ultrasonic clean to remove gum left by modern petrol , cost 650 euro's !!! . Cat litter never heard of that one but i'll give it a go. so what cover to get ?.
rgds Ian

[mikeonb4c]

Hi all
thanks for the replies, modern petrol contains lots of ethanol and not much benzene now , remember the days when you could get 2 3 and 4 start it would last for years , it also damages rubber seals in the fuel system, I have just had a set of six bike carbs rebuilt with nitril seals and an ultrasonic clean to remove gum left by modern petrol , cost 650 euro's !!! . Cat litter never heard of that one but i'll give it a go. so what cover to get ?.
rgds Ian

Wow, that's really interesting and I'd no idea. I can understand that might be problem then

[Bob]

This is really good:

http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/wes ... pdate.html

We have to be really careful what the 1992 MX5 has to drink.

Also pleased to say it has just passed its MOT with a couple of very minor advisories. Mazda quality.

And: http://www.frost.co.uk/protect-your-veh ... st-ethanol

Or:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/cla ... bikes.html

[Northern Bongolow]

really good links those bob. .

it could be worse, i could have £15 grand in a bongo.

[mikeonb4c]

This is really good:

http://www.groups.tr-register.co.uk/wes ... pdate.html

We have to be really careful what the 1992 MX5 has to drink.

Also pleased to say it has just passed its MOT with a couple of very minor advisories. Mazda quality.

And: http://www.frost.co.uk/protect-your-veh ... st-ethanol

Or:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/cla ... bikes.html

I read the first article with interest. The guys understanding of chemistry and physics is flaky in places (e.g. 'petrol has no surface tension' - really?) which brings into question how accurate some of his claims are, but there's lots of interesting stuff in there nonetheless. I particularly liked:

We are all familiar with the expression ‘carbon footprint’. There is no question that new vehicles have a lower carbon footprint (once they’ve been built) than old ones. However the biggest carbon footprint a car ever makes is during its construction. Prematurely removing older cars from the road may sound like a green idea (and if it’s a rusty old banger then is probably is) but a well maintained old vehicle will overall have a lower detrimental effect on the environment than replacing it with a new car for no other reason. Likewise having to manufacture replacement components for said cars due to the ravages of Ethanol will also increase carbon emissions, which is the exact opposite of the intended goal.

This stuff does't get said often enough and is a reminder that a 20 year old Bongo, driven carefully to return 40mpg and used for things other vehicles can't do and not just for mindless running around everywhere, is actually performing a very green service. And that's before considering the porkies VW (and others) might be telling regarding emissions and MPG

The 2nd piece is also interesting as it seems to suggest the likely cause of problems if modern petrol/ethanol is left standing in fuel tanks is because ethanol will absorb moisture from the air and then fall out of suspension (a bit curious since's it's in solution, not suspension but....this is an advertorial). I'd have thought that brimming the tank could minimise this problem as there would then be no moisture laden air available to cause trouble with the ethanol. I think that since leaving a Bongo tank empty may not be a practical option,that a run (to pull any water out of the bottom of the tank) followed by brimming might be the least worst option. But really, it seems that modern petrol is just another reminder that not using a vehicle regularly is likely to promote trouble. This article gives a good understanding of how ethanol+water=trouble in the tank:

http://chemistry.stackexchange.com/ques ... nks-or-eng

Maybe the magic product in the advertorial is isopropanol?

[Bob]

My thoughts exactly, Mike.

The whole Scrapage Scheme was nothing but 'Greenwash', scrapping perfectly good cars (many of them classics) in exchange for nothing more than the VAT on a new motor. Just Churn.

My Bongo does about 6000 miles per year and provides all our holiday accommodation and rarely moves without both of us in it.

A good pal has a Smart Car, 60mpg, and does 30 000 mile annually and flies abroad 4 times a year, staying in overheated or air conditioned hotels.

She's Little Miss Green while me and Su are Mr & Mrs Eco Terrorists to be taxed off the roads and have the finger pointed at every opportunity.

Not singling out my pal, but this is a real example and who is using more fuel?

[BongoBongo123]

I've used my Bongo as my only, everyday car for 9 years now. It has definitely been the best decision I could have made. Keeps it dry, exercised and I always fold the mirrors and put blinds down when parking so that the electrics don't succumb to damp and disuse. I should put the roof up more than I do, though I try to put it up regularly to keep the motors exercised.

With Bongos, use it or lose it applies to at least some extent, though I've heard the diesel is generally brilliant at starting instantly even after a long time standing.

Cat litter in roof is something I've thought of trying. For now I've just got 2 silica gel filled bags I got off Amazon for around £15 the pair, and I take them out at intervals and give them a couple of days over a hot radiator to re-dry the silica gel.

Not heard of petrol going off in the tank - that sounds really weird to me

I followed your lead on that Mike. Great tip and knowledge as always.I managed to find 10 x 100g bags of Silica gel for £8.00 on Ebay. Hopefully that should help a bit. Will have to remember to dry them out on a rad every now and then when I pop the roof just to keep the motors lubed/free.

I get 40 miles + on our runs and I always drive as economically as possible, I pride myself in doing so it's a win win for my pocket and the environment. Plus I am still loving the Millers Diesel power ECO MAX unquestionably smoother, more powerful engine feel and sound with it in the tank. Also use it in the petrol car with the same effects. Similar to putting "Super" in the tank but much much cheaper. The only slight inconvenience is you just have to remember to put it in the tanks.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Millers-Oils- ... 1217166811

Pretty savvy drivers I reckon us Bongo'ers !

[helen&tony]

Hi
As long as I've been driving...and that's 50 years, I've always known that petrol goes off. i also have had more recent experience here...we have several mowers, and we haven't used one of them for a year...It was new, we didn't like it, so we left it...a good make, but it wouldn't start...tipped it upside down, put fresh fuel in , and started first pull!!
Diesel...yes, that goes off too...I've just been checking up on that for the standby genset we have...the fuel has been in for a while, and I checked a fair few places on the i'net...all of them said it degrades...So....we keep 40 litres in jerrycans, and use the diesel in the cars rather than bung it in the genny, and just keep the tins topped up!....plus we can pop additive in for winter .
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Hi
As long as I've been driving...and that's 50 years, I've always known that petrol goes off. i also have had more recent experience here...we have several mowers, and we haven't used one of them for a year...It was new, we didn't like it, so we left it...a good make, but it wouldn't start...tipped it upside down, put fresh fuel in , and started first pull!!
Diesel...yes, that goes off too...I've just been checking up on that for the standby genset we have...the fuel has been in for a while, and I checked a fair few places on the i'net...all of them said it degrades...So....we keep 40 litres in jerrycans, and use the diesel in the cars rather than bung it in the genny, and just keep the tins topped up!....plus we can pop additive in for winter .
Cheers
Helen

This thread (as just one example) seems to have some sensible posts in relation to petrol 'going off'. The main enemy seems to be contact with air, which might suggest that (even allowing for the fact it is vented), brimming a fuel tank might be the least worst option, given that draining the tank in a car is not really a practical option. Some might say leave it near empty and tip in fresh fuel from a jerrycan (if you have one) before first start after a lay-up, but I'd be worried about

(lots of air + little fuel) = (max chance of fuel in tank going off)

....and its this bad stuff that will most likely be first through the filters, pump and injectors even if fresh fuel put in the tank before starting.

Overall though, hibernating machinery is always likely to invite bovver.

But, as Mikexgough would say, 'yer pays yer money and yer takes yer choice'.

[Bongo Cymru]

I had activated SORN from next Tuesday but, having read this thread, have now changed my mind and taxed until May. I'll take the advice of running Bobby Bongo throughout the winter, though maybe avoiding periods when there is heavy salting on the roads.

Thank you for the Bongo wisdom.

[Bob]

Pal of mine SORNs his soft top BMW for six months over winter, and every year he tells me of the troubles when he puts it back on the road.

Really not worth it for the small saving.

[the1andonly]

I know the OP is storing outside
but advice from professionals storing classic cars.
I don't know how I got this link could have been from here.
may be of use to someone.


http://www.cumbriacarstorage.co.uk/indo ... orage.html

[mikeonb4c]

I know the OP is storing outside
but advice from professionals storing classic cars.
I don't know how I got this link could have been from here.
may be of use to someone.


http://www.cumbriacarstorage.co.uk/indo ... orage.html

That was a really good read thanks and brings it all home. I'm one of those who bought a Bongo because it is a great everyday car as well as a camper, so happily SORNing etc is something I can duck out of.

[windywatson]

Sorn my bongo AFT camper for the winter months. LPG left with a small amount in the tank & a few gallons of petrol. Start & run the van every 2 weeks. Leave it running to warm up & turn on front & rear heaters to max temprature, lower windows slightly and allow interior to warm through. Switch over to LPG & run on that for a while. Finally drive the vehicle a few feet & repark so that not stood on same spot on the tyres all of the time. Switch off & do same again in next couple of weeks. My theory is that keeps all moving parts exercised & heat helps keep intierior dry. Been doing this same routine for nine years now with no issues. I use2 small solar panels to keep the LB & SB batteries trickle charged.
My observation about covers is not to use them. I used a cover for first three years & started to find paint in areas like edges of wheel arches being rubbed thin. So scrapped the use of cover & build a car port to keep it under.

cheers