Bongo Fury

Does anyone know the process of exchanging engines?? Is the engine removed by lifting up and out of the cab or is it dropped and taken out from below. My question is....could it be done on a driveway without the aid of a lift or pit?

The reason I ask is that I've got undefined engine probs at the moment but could be major, my engines got quite a high mileage and is generally a bit of a mess..I'd also like to replace ripped and sunken drivers seat, damaged interior trim panel, cracked rear light lens, and roof tent (very poor condition netting) as well as broken rear parking mirror. Also I think my rear diff may be on the way out!

I've got the possibility to buy a crashed Bongo with all these parts being good for £1400, which seems like it might be sensible move, but only if I can change the engine myself.

What do you think?

Rob (with ideas way above my capabilities and a wife who doesn't know about this potential project yet!)

For only a little bit more, API Engines of Leamington Spa will fit a low mileage replacement engine and give you a warranty. They will also pick it up for you. Speak to Martin or Simon on 01926-614333.

Having not attempted this myself, I cannot comment from experience but looking at the logistics of moving the lot through a door, I would be inclined to say the engine needs to drop out from below. I wouldn't want to attempt this without a ramp but then maybe I'm getting less adventurous in my old age. You will also need to lift the car up a long way to clear the engine when it is out and it being a 2.5L it's going to be bigger and heavier than your typical car engine.

The idea of buying a crashed Bongo for spares sounds attractive but consider the time required to strip it and the space and inconvenience of it on your drive. Then there's storage space for parts and getting rid of the shell at the end. Not insurmountable problems but something you need to consider.

Also I recall that company near Newbury (search?) that got a lot of favourable press recently on BF have done exchange engines. I talked with them a while back and they were very helpful. I think they had an offer on ebay of a replacement engine, fitted for £1k but don't quote me on that.

Hmmm....yes I've just spoken to Allans and he's put me off! The engine is tall and heavy and really needs to come out from underneath so vehicle needs to be high...it can be done through the cab but more needs to be stripped and takes a lot longer. It was just a little fantasy really.....my engine may still turn out to be something relatively simple and I listed all the other none essential things as a sort of practice for justifying the project to Kath!!

Consider the matter closed!

Here's the thread on the Newbury people (Discount Trucks):

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ca50a02123

...in case it helps.

Mike

....and thats me on 3000 posts. Gotta admit I was going for that before I went on me hols and thought I'd creep up to it and try not to alert the moderators until I got there How sad am I

I like the £1400 bitza idea, but then I've got lots of space and equipment. If you can establish how good the spare engine is it might well make sense. Think of all the bits you will be able to put on Ebay afterwards. That £1400 will tumble as soon as you start selling trim, extras, gearbox, diffs, panels, bumpers, doors etc. It all depends on how well you can establish the health of the replacement engine. Remember - if it was difficult a mechanic couldnt do it.

Engine swap should be easy with a bit of enginuity. It is quite easy to jack a car up high enough to pull the engine out.

Engine swap should be easy with a bit of enginuity. It is quite easy to jack a car up high enough to pull the engine out.

What on a Bongo scissor jack ?