Bongo Fury

The last few days of rejuvenated winter seem to have spelled the death-knell for at least one of my glow-plugs (Sometimes a bit smoky on start-up, feels like it's running on 3 or less cylinders & dies at the first junction. Usually starts & runs ok after this though!!) Anyways - sod's law says that if I guess the engine needs standard 83mm plugs & order these, then 102mm's will be what I actually need. From reading past posts I gather that it's the top section of the glow-plug protruding above the engine that actually differs in length, but I can't find a note of the actual difference anywhere.

If it's the protruding length that's different, then this should be an easy way of identifying which length of plug is fitted? Or am I speaking through my exhaust? If I'm right, does anyone know what the measurements of the respective plugs are?

Rhod

you would be able to use either length plugs. ours had the 102mm ones in and as they packed up i replaced them with the 83mm ones. just needed to reshape the rail and put some insulator on the rail where they get close to the engine to prevent shorting out. the glowplug part is the same length, its just the cap thats longer. people have done it by screwing extension screws onto the end caps but i couldnt be bothered messing around like that, ours have been fine since last year but i bet ill go out now and it wont start.

Yep, sod's law that mike

Ste didnt Mike at Wheelquick fit your plugs ,and he said there are different sizes ,and he said he would only fit the same size as taken off.

im deliberately not going out to try it now.

daveblueozzie wrote:Ste didnt Mike at Wheelquick fit your plugs ,and he said there are different sizes ,and he said he would only fit the same size as taken off.

He did fit them dave,and he did say exactly that.... I got the impression that he stocks both sizes, (or was there 3 sizes? ) I'll re-phrase that to ALL sizes,and only fits like for like,as he has the option to do so,without altering anything,or potentially "upset" anything.

We'd have to buy both sets to do the same,install the one's that fit, and keep/sell/store the "wrong" sized plugs...

I'd prefer not to start bending the rail if possible - I'll probably end up fracturing it knowing my luck

It's not easy gettiing an accurate measurement of the top of the plugs with them in place, but the best estimate I could get last nigt was about 450mm from the top of the thread on the body to the top of the plug (ie the threaded extension). If any kind soul out there, who knows which plugs they have fitted, could do a quick measurement then I should be able to work out which I have.

Rhod

Why not just take one out, and measure it from tip to tail? Or, order the 83mm plugs from the Bongo Shop, and, if you need the longer ones after all, just return them and we will replace them with longer ones, which we now have in stock.

Dont know if this will help?



This is an NGK Y-701J 83mm Glowplug, which is one of four I will be fitting tomorrow, weather permitting. The last lot (cheapies) have lasted just under a year.

Brora - Thanks! That's exactly what I need Looks as if it's the long plugs for me.

Ian - I'm trying to avoid having to remove the top cover etc, extract a plug & then put it all back together again, order the plugs & repeat the process. I'll double-check against Broras measurements tonight & then order the plugs.

However this weekends job is now going to be removing my heavy 10x8 shed, breaking up the concrete base & repairing the burst water supply pipe underneath it, which feeds myself & 3 neighbours Fortunately the Bongo has entered into the spirt of things & is starting faultlessly again for the time being Just as well, seeing as how it's needed to transport the rollers, boards, pipes etc.....

Thanks again
Rhod

Just changed my plugs. I did not need to remove the top cover, with a small socket set with a knuckle joint, they all came out no problems( mind you it did help that I coppereased them last time I did the job.)

All I did was undo a couple of bolts, a few hoses, a few connections, all to do with the egr? (see picture) Then it can be moved to the side to gain access to the other two glowplugs.



Once done I tested the old plugs, and found that one was open circuit, I though it would be after seeing the state of the plug once removed. You can see below the bottom plug has unburnt fuel? or carbon deposits on it.



Started her up with no smoke at all to be seen whilst sitting in the drivers seat, it makes a change from the smoke screen I have been getting lately all that smoke from one duff plug.

Thanks Brora - that might make life a little bit easier. I may have to remove the top cover anyway though - when I was in there last night I noticed that there is a bracket hanging loose from the throttle cable, which should obviously be attached somewhere. There's a spare hole on top of the engine, just out of reach under the cover on the right as you look into the engine bay, which looks about right.
Rhod

Wonder if the premature failure was exacerbated by the use of veg oil Brora?

missfixit70 wrote:Wonder if the premature failure was exacerbated by the use of veg oil Brora?

I would'nt of thought so. I think it's because it was cheap glowplugs, others have had the same problems with cheapies, as in not lasting a year.

excellent post brora-potential to save a lot of grief