Maintenance

[cmm303]

Unless you are having starting problems they might be fine as they are.

Do you think I'd be alright leaving them as is so, I'm not having any issues starting.

Yes. Good starting and no lumpy running in the first couple of minutes = glowplugs working. Preventative replacement of glowplugs isn't going to save you money or leave you stranded. (unlike cambelt, regular oil changes, coolant checking etc).

[Allans]

There's not really any point in replacing glowplugs if they're working as they should.
You'll know when they're playing up. Trouble starting or a misfire when starting, that takes a while to clear. Often but not always accompanied by white smoke.

Put a gearbox service (fluid change & filter clean) on your list. Carried out every 20,000 miles will really help. It's something that's often overlooked and shouldn't be.

[Northern Bongolow]

I have one of those and it's not very detailed but a start I guess.

I'm going to look after the following myself over the holdiays:
Cam belt, bearing and spring (how do I know if these need replacing?)
fuel filter,
engine oil (6 months since oil & filter),
glow plugs (how to tell if longer or shorter?).
I'm gonna check out the ATF and if it's off I'll get my mechanic to change it and the ATF filter as well as the transfer case lube, diff oil and brake fluid.

EDIT: there's 150,000 km on the van and the only service history I have is that the head, oil filter, oil, coolant and air filter were changed last June.

Is there anything to be done to the AFT or the sliding door?

Once all of the above is done, I'll be moving onto cosmetics!

Anyone who has a basic knowledge about motor vehicle maintenance would typically keep the receipts for supply of parts and fitting for a cam belt knowing it is a good selling point. If they are absent get a new one and the tensioner/spring etc.

I saw no such receipts when I bought ours so did without even thinking twice. The cost of supply and fit vs a destroyed engine puts it in perspective. I am however not a mechanic and others may be able to offer more sound advice.

Depends how risky you want to live I guess.

If you get a good photo of the top of the glow plugs people on here can advise if you search my posts I posted up about mine and got some in - mine has long ones, apparently the only difference is the tops stick out further. (though I now believe some slight starting issues I have occasionally had in winter to be related to the Bongo being parked facing front down hill.... strange but true ! I think my glow plugs are fine. My guess is fuel following gravity and I get a little cough and splutter once in a while but only if the van has been down facing for 5 or more days. No such issue when it is flat or facing the other way)

Unless you are having starting problems they might be fine as they are.

if yours has long ones fitted what make did you fit when you replaced them, ive not found a good quality long plug yet, most long ones i fit are lucky to last a year so i swap them out for the short plugs which are ngk, this needs the ness mod though so take care if doing this.
in the manual it shows how to test individual glow plugs whilst in situ if you remove the connecting buzz bar, they should have a known resistance when cold etc, no resistance or dead short meen one or more is duff.

[Ian]

ive not found a good quality long plug yet, most long ones i fit are lucky to last a year so i swap them out for the short plugs which are ngk, this needs the ness mod though so take care if doing this.

If you want good quality long (102mm) plugs, then these genuine Ford Ranger ones are very good, if a little pricey. Part number 1-441-267 from Ford dealers.