Bongo Servicing

ChrisT · Post by **ChrisT** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:04 pm

Long post so here goes:

Our Bongo is a bit poorly. It needs a service and before Christmas, the alternator belt went. We got it replaced by the AA man but he didn't have to right belt - just something that would get us home.

I'm going to buy 2 new alternator belts at £12.50 from this site - would it be wise to get a new air con belt as well? I'm also planning to get the £39 filter kit, and some brake pads

Also, when the belt went, we had coolant spewing out of the container. We topped it up with distilled water and a bit of anti-freeze (so it would not freeze up whilst sitting outside the front of the house). I'm going to ask a garage to sort the coolant system out as well when we take it for a service - would this be standard stuff for a garage or do we really need someone who knows their way around a Bongo?

It doesn't sound particularly healthy when I turn it over and with the dodgy alternator belt and coolant system, do you think it would be wise to get it picked up for the service? I'm not that happy driving it as it is!

Would be grateful for any other tips that I should know or any other gear that it would be handy to have

Also, has anyone used any of the garages in the London & South East section in "Servicing your Bongo"

After many trips away last year we love our Bongo and want it fixed so we can get up Helvellyn in May, we'll just drive to the foot of the mountain and walk the rest

Haha, cheers in advance

flippa · Post by **flippa** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:15 pm

Hi chris , i used a garage in new cross last year for my initial first service they seem to know there way around the bongo.....the garage is mersh brothers in algernon road ..(lewisham way) end

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:37 pm

Hi ChrisT - I'm an ex Sarf London boy myself (Herne Hill, just round the corner).

Sounds like pretty standard stuff to me. As long the coolant isn't leaking and there are no airlocks likely to impact, you ought to be alright driving it over to Lewisham (if flippa thinks the Lewisham lot are OK you ought to be fine as he is part of the BF elite Coolant Team). Make sure you gie them the bleedin' bleeding instructions just in case. I'd also try and travel over when the roads are quiet so its a quick trip (v early morning or late evening I guess). Do you have breakdown cover in case you have to stop?

Good luck. KO eluR songoB

ChrisT · Post by **ChrisT** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:56 pm

Cheers folks

Info got

flippa · Post by **flippa** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:04 pm

small world mike

...i never had you down as a fellow sarf londoner....your dead right about the traffic down there ....even the rat runs are chocker through to ladywell.....the garage is handy has plenty of room to drop off and leave keys ....and close to lewisham station for your getaway

.....i might even be able to come over to brixton the weekend chris to give it the once over ....let me know

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:07 pm

Even smaller than that flippa, my Mum was a doctor at Lewisham Hospital (spent 2 weeks in there after my m/bike crash), Sue in Lewisham High St used to cut my hair for years, and my old MG Magnette always went to a mechanic in Lewisham for repairs. Oh and we used to rehearse in the same rehearsal rooms as Squeeze and Cockney Rebel just down the road in Deptford. Happy Days

flippa · Post by **flippa** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:10 pm

smaller still mike ...deptfords my manor

.....not sure where the squeeze rehearsed/first gigged.....deptford arms?...seen glen tilbrook once ...amersham arms.......you'd probably know better

bit before my time

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:29 pm

Can't remember exact location, but they were purpose built conversions in - I think - railway arches. It was nearly 35 years and a lot of living ago