Bongo Fury

A course with the Institute of Advanced Motorists or RoSPA Advanced Drivers Association will help with anticipation, hence fuel consumption, and general wear and tear.

Contact your local Group for instruction, no one will force you to go ahead and take the test if you don't want to.

Hilly country is an MPG killer for Bongos I suspect. Likewise congested urban environments. Lincolnshire and the Fens is probably ideal Bongo country

Or.....
You could take it along to your nearest diesel fuel injection specialist (Lucas or Bosch centre) and get them to have a look. They should be able to get you diagnosed and set up pretty quickly..... they do know their s*%t!

OK, so you'll have to part with a bit of cash, but that's the way it goes I suppose.

One of me best best mates is a diesel technician and his help on my Td VW was worth..... well, a lot more than I ever repaid him in beers!! Sadly, he's only gone and racked off to Australia the flamin' gallah! Even with his knowledge though, he's never really diagnosed anything for me via email or the phone - he's given me probables, then told me where to take it and what to say to 'em.

But looking on the bright side, if he was still around I might still have the VW - and never have got the Bongo!

I think the fuel injection system is a fairly intricate and finely balanced bit of kit and its' set up is really important and often overlooked. It might be worth taking it in???

Good luck with it though mate

Phil

well thanks all for advice, i'll be taking it down to my local friendly shylock and see what he can diddle me out of!!!

Hi Alec
Spoke to bloody soon, went to go to work and same problem black smoke when accelerating so maybe wasnt injectors. back to the garage i think.

Cheers
Oggy

maybe attach a kite to your van for better mpg on long journeys.....

26m squared paraglider big enough you think???

you might p!$$ a few people off though when you're jibing upwind!

alectroll wrote:ta, will be heading down the local dealer and get one of those filters tomorrow!! any other tips to increase the mpg?

you may guess by my question i'm not altogether au fait with mechanical stuff!!

I don't think that an automatic gearbox helps, as it takes away the control that you have over the engine revs. I find that on even a small incline, the higher revs are sustained much longer, where as with a manual box; I would have gone into top much sooner. I find that if I release the accelerator slightly at such times, it will change down making me (and the engine) much happier .

bongobong wrote:

alectroll wrote:ta, will be heading down the local dealer and get one of those filters tomorrow!! any other tips to increase the mpg?

you may guess by my question i'm not altogether au fait with mechanical stuff!!

I don't think that an automatic gearbox helps, as it takes away the control that you have over the engine revs. I find that on even a small incline, the higher revs are sustained much longer, where as with a manual box; I would have gone into top much sooner. I find that if I release the accelerator slightly at such times, it will change down making me (and the engine) much happier .

I've often wondered this. Would the manual give better MPG in hilly or urban areas because you can change up more readily

bongobong wrote:

alectroll wrote:ta, will be heading down the local dealer and get one of those filters tomorrow!! any other tips to increase the mpg?

you may guess by my question i'm not altogether au fait with mechanical stuff!!

I don't think that an automatic gearbox helps, as it takes away the control that you have over the engine revs. I find that on even a small incline, the higher revs are sustained much longer, where as with a manual box; I would have gone into top much sooner. I find that if I release the accelerator slightly at such times, it will change down making me (and the engine) much happier .

Bongobong - Try adjusting the Throttle Positioning Sensor a tad - info and pic in SEARCH Mine will now hang onto lockup down to under 40mph AND pull without selecting kickdown

dandywarhol wrote:

bongobong wrote:

alectroll wrote:ta, will be heading down the local dealer and get one of those filters tomorrow!! any other tips to increase the mpg?

you may guess by my question i'm not altogether au fait with mechanical stuff!!

I don't think that an automatic gearbox helps, as it takes away the control that you have over the engine revs. I find that on even a small incline, the higher revs are sustained much longer, where as with a manual box; I would have gone into top much sooner. I find that if I release the accelerator slightly at such times, it will change down making me (and the engine) much happier .

Bongobong - Try adjusting the Throttle Positioning Sensor a tad - info and pic in SEARCH Mine will now hang onto lockup down to under 40mph AND pull without selecting kickdown

Hi,
Thanks for the tip, (that's twice now) its appreciated .

Dave

This is more related to the economy part of the discussion earlier in this thread, i happened to deliver to a large chemical company last night at work, and noticed that the security guard on duty was the same chap that owned a bongo a couple of years back, i mentioned it to him, and he said he was glad to see the back of his bongo as it was killing him on fuel.

After repeated visits to his local garage (on the wirral) they made him work out the fuel economy figures... He was getting nearly 18MPG on a long straight run, dipping to less than 10MPG around town,there was a lack of power,and black smoke on acceleration.

He sold the bongo before a diagnosis could be made,he said he was paying out that much for fuel, he coudn't afford the visits to the garage!

When i mentioned i could easily achieve over 30 mpg (nearly 35mpg) he point blank disbelieved my claims!