Bongo Fury

First oil change about to take place with my Freda, got the great instructions from this forum, but before I start can anyone tell me what size copper washer to buy for the sump plug?

It's about 100 miles to the nearest Halfords etc in Inverness (TRUE ) and once I've taken out the plug to check the size.....you see the picture.

Also, the sump plug bolt head looks a bit worn. Is there anywhere I can get a replacement?

Thanks for any help.

Skyewanderer.

I actually wrote this down when I changed the oil a few week ago:

Inside diameter: a loose 14mm
outside diameter: 20mm

I think I bought a 19mm Vauxhall one when I did mine but cant quite remember. If you are feeling flush, you could buy a Pela Extractor for £40 including postage and avoid this little chore forever more (search ebay - someone sells them on there). I can 100% recommend this little device - oil changes are a doddle using it. You suck it all out of the dipstick hole with no mess or fuss and no need to remove sump plug. I was lucky enough to get one for £29 2nd hand

Might be of some help?

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ump+washer

I'm only 60 miles from that same Halfords. They don't have a box of sump washers anymore, not since they stopped the doing any work on vehicles. So its just that little blue packets. The one I ended up with is HFX225 (vauxhall) I have not tried it out yet.

Hinted to wife about the pela pump (thanks for link and recommendation mikeonb4c) but don't think she will go for it

brorabongo wrote:Might be of some help?

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ump+washer

I'm only 60 miles from that same Halfords. They don't have a box of sump washers anymore, not since they stopped the doing any work on vehicles. So its just that little blue packets. The one I ended up with is HFX225 (vauxhall) I have not tried it out yet.

Hinted to wife about the pela pump (thanks for link and recommendation mikeonb4c) but don't think she will go for it

Maybe she could double it up as a breast pump Donald ....or have youse stopped producing now?

dandywarhol wrote: ....or have youse stopped producing now?

Thats a big YES, thanks for asking. We want one seat spare in the bongo for a Granny. (free child minder )


and talking about sump washers, I'm sure someone mentioned about a replacement plug, which has a magnetic tip. This should catch the metal filings in the oil, helping the filter stay cleaner for longer

The actual washer is made from copper, so if its looking a bit grim, heat it (whilst holding it with pliers, and wearing gloves) till it glows red, then dip it in cold water, this process is called annealing,this restores the washer to its former slightly supple,original sealing self....

Lots of other washers on the Bongo are aluminium and you can anneal them as well but it is a lot more tricky. They wont glow red before melting so you have to get them as hot as you dare and then leave them to cool slowly. Aint metal wonderful.

Use a matchstick as an indication - when the varnish on the match starts to ooze it's hot enough. I use that method when bending aluminium.

I was taught to smear the aluminium surface with soap - when it turns black it's hot enough to soften it

Ahhhhh......forgot that one DP

Fantastic - the spirit of Fred Dibner lives on

Brora - have you got any other Bongoist near you for a joint purchase. I've let 2 others use mine already and that great cos its good to see a thing used.

I might as well add a third - you use a fuel rich flame to deposit soot on the surface, when the soot burns off to clean metal it is ready.

Even with a new washer done up quite tightly, I used to still get the odd drip of oil. Now I use a smear of Blue Hylomar on the threads & have had no problems since. Highly recommended