Bongo Fury

Thanks guys all warning lights illuminated and correct as far as I can see. Done 105 miles today since pick up and loving it! So far only thing not working is one out of the 5 parking sensors. Had a bbq on dartmoor tonight to celebrate getting her. Need to work out how to post a few pics on here now.
Thank you people for all the help info etc on buying such a help knowingwhat to ask etc. I think this could be my first non vw Audi love!

This is the sticker that the dealer says is for the cambelt and shows the mileage it was replaced. Anyone else seen these? Seeing its in foreign i wasn't sure how you would know that that says cambelt/toothbelt.

Remember ... like tyres .. that age as well as mileage dictates how much 'rubber' deteriorates ..

As mentioned before, cambelts typically should be changed after 5 years regardless of mileage. Unless you know when it was at 80121km, then it's still a bit of an unknown quantity. Also, don't forget anyone with access to a black biro could have written a number on the sticker without so much as lifting a spanner (previous owner, Japanese mechanic, the importing company, etc).

Also some dealers are known to change the cam belt .. in a couple of minutes with a Stanley knife .. without a thought to rollers / adjusters ....

They remove the plastic belt covers .. cut the vertical run(s) of the belt(s) in two with a sharp Stanley knife .. remove the front half of the belt .. tap the new belt onto the cam sprockets until it meets the back half of the old belt .. cut through the old belt off .. as they locate the new belt into it's place ..

It could happen in Japan as some sellers are not as ethical as some of us think the Japanese are ...

I was in the BKKS (British Koi Keepers Society) and quite involved with Japanese Koi (as a Judge and Koi Health Liaison officer) ... if a one eyed / split finned Koi was alive and in the export holding pond in Japan .. it was in a box with others and shipped into England with no scruples ..

Think I'm going to have to budget for a cambelt change but can't right away as it's best part of 600 quid with all the deals etc.

Re - reading through some of my own posts, it seems from some of them , I am all 'gloom and doom' when in fact I am quite easy going and a tolerant kinda guy .. it's just this deep suspicion of garages / dealers I have .. !!

Looks very like the cambelt stickers on mine. How about a second opinion from a Bongo specialist? Allans in Plymouth, Pitstop in Bodmin. Someone who knows what to look for, not just a seller. If it has been properly maintained there will be stickers everywhere, inside the drivers door and on replaced item. I even have one inside the filler cap giving the date of the injector cleaner.

£600 is a lot of money to pay out, without a second opinion. As Helen says an expert can tell if the bolts on the cam cover have been removed and if so the cam belt will have been done. The general state of maintenance of the Bongo will help. New filters, everything absolutely together, probably OK. If scruffy and neglected looking assume nothing.

It's always better to get a professional unbiased opinion as visual appearance can be deceptive ..

I had my Bongo MOTd this week .. the tester commented how clean the under bonnet / engine looked ...

It's surprising the job a proper steam cleaner does ...!!

Very clean the garage said kat week mine looked in fab condition and engine looked looked after it looked like that as soon as it in this country cause I saw it before the dealer did anything to it and had only just come off the lorry.

I have always thought it strange when people are after a 'cheap car' and I mention getting one from the car auctions, and they gasp in horror at the thought spending there hard earned cash on one from that source .. and yet all our imports are sourced .. unseen by us .. from auction houses thousands of miles away ...

I have looked around our local car Auction site (British Car Auctions Green Lane Walsall) .. with some motors on sale the level of pre sales preparation is very good ... the engine bays .. under bonnet .. door jams etc; looking in mint condition ... (maybe a bit to mint..??) ...

Mine was no way mint and hadn't had any work on it inside or out but it was dent free so I could see past the rest judging by the card he had on the forecourt. I feel lucky to of seen it so I know where things have been fixed etc rather that covered over.

Hi bongolou,how many Kilometers has your vehicle recorded.

It's 109,000 changed to miles note which is 68000 allans going to look properly at her first service to see then decide. 600 ish is the quote as it takes a whole day but know if it needs doing it will have to be done. Interesting your sticker is the same I guess for now I won't worry as it's got 6 months warranty and then allans will do first service and check fully from a quick look he said she is very clean and shouldn't cause trouble for few years yet. Fingers crossed