Bongo Fury

I know nothing about these guys but they may be worth a call

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO-F ... 51cfbe2573

Sounds a good price if it's OK. I've just paid nearly half that to sort out an oil leak on my V6.

weebrian wrote:Sounds a good price if it's OK. I've just paid nearly half that to sort out an oil leak on my V6.

Cam / crank seals ..??

thats the price based on a serviceable exchange, you would need to ring for an outright purchase price.

helen&tony wrote:Hi Mike...
But add it all together, and you've got a good running Bongo for less than a couple of grand , with years of hassle-free motoring, and most cars depreciate that kind of money in a couple of years!...There are one or two that seem to hold their money, and a good Bongo is now approaching VW money...I'm often on the "look-out"...what could be better...one of each!....Bongos are getting a "Kool" value of their own now!, and prices are trickling upwards!
Cheers
Helen

You're so right Helen, and she's running beautifully and much quieter on the valve gear. I keeping looking at getting a newer one but not sure I see the point. As I work through the various components and renew them, I know the old girl better. To swap Bongos would be time, hassle and a few £k. And mine has the split seats, untinted windows, diesel 2wd, v good condition interior, and all the extras I want, so why not accept that it will require refurbishment as the years take their toll, and for as long as I continue to not want any other car than a Bongo. And then there's the trust thing. I couldn't stand the accusatory look she'd give me (and my kids also) if I kicked her out. She's not the most concours Bongo on the planet (though she's not too shabby for her age) but she's part of my family.

We always knew these Bongos would become classics didn't we eh?

Tim - I hope you get a good outcome for yours. If the rest of the Bongo is decent, she's worth it.

Mike

Both. Trouble was it was all put back together before they found the crankshaft seal had gone as well.

mikeWalsall wrote:

weebrian wrote:Sounds a good price if it's OK. I've just paid nearly half that to sort out an oil leak on my V6.

Cam / crank seals ..??

I think the people who should take responsibly are the importers / cam belt changers ..

The seals cost relatively few pounds .. it is the labour involved in accessing them ..

Yet while the cam belt is being 'properly' changed .. it only takes a matter of minutes to hook out the old seals and replace with new ..

Plus to add insult to injury .. to do the seals on there own .. you still have the added cost of replacing the belt anyway ..!!

Mind you ... I wonder if some 'cam belt changers' just do a 'quicky' five minute Stanley knife job when fitting the new belt .. (Have I ever said I don't trust garages) ..??

It's definitely a false economy not to do the seals on a V6 when doing your first cambelt change, but they should probably be good for 10 years I reckon, so you could probably skip it on the next belt change.

Simon Jones wrote:It's definitely a false economy not to do the seals on a V6 when doing your first cambelt change, but they should probably be good for 10 years I reckon, so you could probably skip it on the next belt change.

Looking at it as a wear and tear problem (on old vehicles) , I would imagine that it would be worthwhile changing the Seals Every time the scheduled belt change is required owing to the fact that the Shafts are wearing as well as the seals.(which makes the new seals less effective in the Long Run)

And the cost of the seals are minimal in comparison with labour costs makes it practical.

Replacement engine sourced from a running van (bodywork write off)

1200 to buy/fit as is. I could potentially get refund on the head I suppose

1400 to fit with new head (2000 all in)

1200 last year on bodywork

I don't have the money for engine replacement. Especially when it feels like its odds on it'll fail again...

rita wrote:

Simon Jones wrote:It's definitely a false economy not to do the seals on a V6 when doing your first cambelt change, but they should probably be good for 10 years I reckon, so you could probably skip it on the next belt change.

Looking at it as a wear and tear problem (on old vehicles) , I would imagine that it would be worthwhile changing the Seals Every time the scheduled belt change is required owing to the fact that the Shafts are wearing as well as the seals.(which makes the new seals less effective in the Long Run)

And the cost of the seals are minimal in comparison with labour costs makes it practical.

Fair point. Small price on the scheme of things. Do you happen to know the V6 replacement schedule?

Right

Bitten the bullet and booked the old girl in

Bought a 125000km engine with all ancillaries. Going to get my new head, gaskets, cambelt, tensioner bearing, spring etc swapped onto it and build it up with the best of the rest. Will give some spares as well. My engine has recently had new water pump so will retain that.

Also gives chance to for all new filters, fresh oil in box, converter, re-gas the AC, new belts etc.

Now I've paid a deposit for the engine and booked it in, I'm bloody excited to get her back.

Even bought some new door pulls to celebrate

After reading above, I think asking for new crank shaft seals at the same time would be a good idea

If had that pain on an old polo...but at least fitting the seal was an easy enough diy job (once I'd got the sodding crankshaft pulley bolt off...)

It would be wise to change the seals before the engine goes in especially the gearbox end crankshaft seal as that is a bugger to change afterwards. Personally I wouldn't re-use your recent cambelt as they contain glass fibre reinforcing strands which will be damaged if you remove the tension and then re-tension on the new engine. Also get some new stretch head bolts as they are not intended to be re-used unless you can check they are still within the required limit of stretch.

All new headbolts and will do the crankshaft seals...I'd just forgotten about them

New cambelt as well. Only thing may reuse is waterpump as its only 18 months old...but may be worth changing.