Bongo Fury

Hi all can anyone tell me what i should be looking for.I have been finding on starting my van after a couple of days standing,that it takes a good couple of turns of the key,i have left it a few more moments as the light goes out, just in case it may be the glow plugs which i replaced all of them about 2yrs ago,how long do they last? But when i get her too start there is rotton dark grey sooty smoke,which dont look good! but it goes once shes had a moment to turn over for a bit.Also there is now a squeeking noise when running idle,or as i stop but goes once i am off again.A freind told me to get some redex as it may help to clear a bit?Please all advice very welcome,i dont want to leave for too long.

Service springs to mind. . . . Oil, fuel & airfilter change makes a vast difference.

When did you last get a good replenishment done?

Grey smoke points to unburnt fuel, which indicates glow plugs - does it run OK after a couple of minutes but is lumpy to start with?
How long do they last? - that's a bit like the length of string question - some last a year but others last for many years

Redex will help to clear it a bit ,but not worth doing until you've had a bit of a service, as monkey says ,oil and air filter new oil obviously ,new fuel filter. as for glow plugs have been told on a few occasions don't touch them unless you know they have really gone.

The glowplugs run on a sort of timer relay susan,they keep on kicking back in as the bongo warms up,this can shorten the lifespan of the glowplugs to varying degrees....

The squeaking could be a worn/perished fan or alternator belt(s). Does it fade to a chirping sound as the bongo warms up...?

I had a service and had all filters changed october, so thats why i was thinking glow plugs.Yes i think chirping sound would be a good word for that sound,but only as i said on standing idle.I have also done a few long runs of late so shes had a good run.

If you lift the passenger seat whilst the bongo is idling,squirt a tiny amount of wd40 onto the alternator belt,if that shuts it up, the belt is becoming perished,and will need replacing before it snaps

Please remember to be very careful,not forgetting about the revolving belts etc... If you have long hair, tie it back,or where a hat...

Sorry to sound thick but which one is the belt? as there are three i believe. anyone got a pictures

You dont sound thick...i wouldn't expect everybody to know automatically what an alternator looks like!

The pic below is the view of the engine bay as seen from the passenger side with the seat up....

The silver thing to the left is the alternator,on the pic the belts have been slipped off for access to the coolant hose...

Again, to the left of the alternator, can you make out the two pulleys?




These usually have belts wrapped around them,they spin when the engine is running,its fine to give a little spray of wd40 directly onto the belt as its turning, no need to overdo it...a half second spray should do the trick...

Give each belt a quick squirt, if the chirping stops,the chances are the belt(s) are perished.

Try not to get any wd40 actually inside the alternator though...

Good luck susan...

Many thanks will give it a go tomorow will let you know how it goes

Ok susan...

Is it April Fools day tomorrow?

Not here it isnt...Why?

Socket Set Sue wrote:Is it April Fools day tomorrow?

I think you had better stay of the old juice sue we are still in december.