what have I done?

[bongoid]

Hi, one and all. Took the plunge and maybe didn't use my head when buying - never good - and now own a Bongo 2.0 city aero. It has a years MOT and has a few receipts of work done and things bought. I also have some manuals but my Japanese is rusty Haven't owned a car for many a year and my basic maintenance knowledge is non existent so I'd love to know the basics to keep her going - assuming there's nothing major wrong with her. Any downloads specific to this model or helpful pointers to somewhere I can get the info to keep her on the road? I have other questions on finding out the condition of the engine, gearbox etc but will save for a later day. By the way, my Bongo drives like a van but I was led to believe it would be like a car. Cheers, michael

[Bob]

I'm sure Bongy will do you well.

English handbooks can be had from the Club shop, that will help with basics, and the 2 ltr cooling system doesn't need bleeding like the 2.5s so that's a help.

[teenmal]

Hi, one and all. Took the plunge and maybe didn't use my head when buying - never good - and now own a Bongo 2.0 city aero. It has a years MOT and has a few receipts of work done and things bought. I also have some manuals but my Japanese is rusty Haven't owned a car for many a year and my basic maintenance knowledge is non existent so I'd love to know the basics to keep her going - assuming there's nothing major wrong with her. Any downloads specific to this model or helpful pointers to somewhere I can get the info to keep her on the road? I have other questions on finding out the condition of the engine, gearbox etc but will save for a later day. By the way, my Bongo drives like a van but I was led to believe it would be like a car. Cheers, michael

That's probably because it Is a Van

[Bongolia]

There are plenty of PDFs in the members area you can download, while not all are specific to the 2.0 ltr there is a lot of useful generic stuff in there.
As to workshop manuals there are two, one for the van shell and box and another specific to the engine( this one also covers the V6).
If its just engine stuff you want then the cd covering the 2.5 diesel also has a 2.0 ltr engine section on it @ less than a tenner its a good buy all available in the Bongo Fury web shop as is the "glove box" handbook.
The 2.0ltr is the least powerful of the Bongo range and max torque is around 4000 rpm so if you want it to go you need to buzz it and use the box, ,it will sound unhappy when you do this but thats just how they are (I owned a 626 with the FE lump and that was the same) so not as easy a drive as the others.
Top speed is around 85mph and fuel consumption averages at around 23-25 mpg overall. I tow a small trailer and it will manage that OK loaded with camping gear @225kg.
Servicing
I would suggest you find a garage that is familiar with Mazda and get the thing thoroughly serviced, changing the cam belt should be a priority if history is unknown as should cleaning out throttle body and engine control valves and sensors etc these are often left when "servicing" but are important on the FE engine. Money spent here now will pay dividends later.
Good luck and enjoy the "van".

[Jillygumbo]

Bongo is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever driven.

[Gasy]

It's not a van
What makes it feel like it's a van
Any questions you have just ask on here
We don't mind

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome. As a one-time van driver in the 1970s i wish i'd had a van like a Bongo. Can't say i find mine vanlike though i do accept it can ride a bit crudely over potholes, and its high c of g and narrow track also make it different from the average car and requiring more care with cornering, crosswinds etc. But it is a campervan more than a car. Cruising down open roads between 45-60mph though, or on windless motorways at 70mph, i find it wonderfully comfy, pretty quiet, and altogether more engaging than most cars. Could be that yours needs new droplinks and anti rollbar bushes. For the rest, hopefully you'll become hooked on the plus points in time.