Second service (suspension, head gasket and underbody)

[Driver+Passengers]

looks like your egr is stuck open, this will give you all the oil into the inlet side/valves when the engine is started from cold. or your oil is too thick. or your turbo oil seals are leaking. is it using oil ??.
i have a full set of inlet valves spare (under the bed) if you need them matt, but check the seats first.

I'll give you a bell in an hour or two...

[Driver+Passengers]

A set of cobalt bits succeeded in drilling through the broken rear off-side anti-roll bar bush bracket bolt. (That's quite a mouthful!)

I've also got a new 26mm open spanner, easier to shim than a 12-point, but that nut is no way 26mm. I couldn't find an inch spanner. The ball joints will come out tonight.

Carrying on with treating the underbody and starting to put arch trims and mudguards, etc back on.

[mikeonb4c]

A set of cobalt bits succeeded in drilling through the broken rear off-side anti-roll bar bush bracket bolt. (That's quite a mouthful!)

I've also got a new 26mm open spanner, easier to shim than a 12-point, but that nut is no way 26mm. I couldn't find an inch spanner. The ball joints will come out tonight.

Carrying on with treating the underbody and starting to put arch trims and mudguards, etc back on.

....and all this in the bleak midwinter - what a star, as are those offering practical help, unlike me who just blathers on

This is going to make a good winters tale

[Driver+Passengers]

I don't mind you blathering on... milk and two, please.

Back at it in 30, after another bacon buttie.

[Driver+Passengers]

Ball joint nuts off (26mm open spanner shimmed with a piece of the toaster) but tapers not broken yet.

Front and rear anti-roll bar and drop links are on, trackrod ends have been changed but I question the inners.

A couple of non-original bolts in the rear offside anti-roll bar bracket and drop link.

Fertan up the offside underbody, lots more to do. Only one significant patch of rust underneath in front of the rear offside arch, right at the bottom there's a small bracket.

Head cleaned up (thanks Al), no longer get a 0.03 feeler anywhere after I filed off a burr on one end of the straightedge - the head is longer.

I'm considering a sealant on the gasket. I've ordered Wellseal from eBay, the local motor factors have Proseal.

[Driver+Passengers]

Wishbones off and old ball joints out.

[mikeonb4c]

Wishbones off and old ball joints out.

Cripes but you're moving ahead at full spped. Just make sure you have everything labelled, organised, take pics pre-dismantle (bit late now mind you ) etc. so you can get make out of the maze at the end. Even when I was young I had to be careful to do this, but now I'm old and with no memory

Gonna be really interesting to see the rejuvenated Bongo that emerges from the mist once its all done

[Driver+Passengers]

I can't wait until she emerges! Not long now.

I'm going to drop the exhaust manifold in with a local guy and get him to cast an eye over the head, but with no intention of leaving it with him. I'll also go and collect the new 'stat. Plenty rust prevention I can do underneath and with the wishbones back in later tonight, I can put the bumper back on.

That then just leaves the head and all the bits connected to it as tomorrow's job.

[Driver+Passengers]

Can't press the new ball joints myself, so a trip to a garage tomorrow morning. I've got one most of the way in, though.

When fitting the front anti-roll bar, I had to lever one end up slightly to get the drop link fitted. Not a lot, half an inch or so. Twisted, or is this normal?

[mikeonb4c]

Can't press the new ball joints myself, so a trip to a garage tomorrow morning. I've got one most of the way in, though.

When fitting the front anti-roll bar, I had to lever one end up slightly to get the drop link fitted. Not a lot, half an inch or so. Twisted, or is this normal?

I'm guessing, but I think this is quite possible esp. if you are not on a level surface. the front drop links won't fuss, although the arb bushes might prefer to be tightening with the Bongo in its natural sitting position on the road, to avoid torque in them. The rear drop links must only be tightened with the Bongo sitting squarely on its suspension because otherwise their rubber bushes will be left torqued, if you get me, and the rubber bushes are likely to give out prematurely as a result.

[Driver+Passengers]

Can't press the new ball joints myself, so a trip to a garage tomorrow morning. I've got one most of the way in, though.

When fitting the front anti-roll bar, I had to lever one end up slightly to get the drop link fitted. Not a lot, half an inch or so. Twisted, or is this normal?

I'm guessing, but I think this is quite possible esp. if you are not on a level surface. the front drop links won't fuss, although the arb bushes might prefer to be tightening with the Bongo in its natural sitting position on the road, to avoid torque in them. The rear drop links must only be tightened with the Bongo sitting squarely on its suspension because otherwise their rubber bushes will be left torqued, if you get me, and the rubber bushes are likely to give out prematurely as a result.

Really? I've read this re: the back bracket on the wishbones and what you say about the rear drop links makes sense (though I thought they would have rotated in the housing), but the anti-roll bars both rotate/lift in their rubbers (lubricated), so I can't see that it matters provided both sides are level.

[mikeonb4c]

Can't press the new ball joints myself, so a trip to a garage tomorrow morning. I've got one most of the way in, though.

When fitting the front anti-roll bar, I had to lever one end up slightly to get the drop link fitted. Not a lot, half an inch or so. Twisted, or is this normal?

I'm guessing, but I think this is quite possible esp. if you are not on a level surface. the front drop links won't fuss, although the arb bushes might prefer to be tightening with the Bongo in its natural sitting position on the road, to avoid torque in them. The rear drop links must only be tightened with the Bongo sitting squarely on its suspension because otherwise their rubber bushes will be left torqued, if you get me, and the rubber bushes are likely to give out prematurely as a result.

Really? I've read this re: the back bracket on the wishbones and what you say about the rear drop links makes sense (though I thought they would have rotated in the housing), but the anti-roll bars both rotate/lift in their rubbers (lubricated), so I can't see that it matters provided both sides are level.

Should be ok then, though I'd still feel happier if car was sat square when things are tightened, just in case.

[Driver+Passengers]

Bumper on, 'stat changed.

[Driver+Passengers]

Ball joints fitted and front end tightened up, save wishbone mounting bolts to be done on the ground.

Ready to deck the block. Just have to remove the oil feed thingy and locator shim in the bolt hole.

[Driver+Passengers]

Package arrived, I was in the garage, they left a card. B****r!!