Bongo Fury

My 2.5 Diesel always starts beautifully in any weather, unless I've abused the battery by too many starts or very short runs (or maybe that's not normal) but I have a really annoying problem getting going while the engine is still cold, it stalls the first time i slow for a junction, unless i flip to neutral and rev hard. i've tried ticking over for a few minutes to warm up a bit, but i notice the loss of power after about a minute. sometimes revving does not work and its stalled, then its a nightmare getting going again, on a few occasions i've had to use a battery booster or spray easy-start into the intake (someone's going to tell me how bad that is). one fully warmed up theres no problem, and the colder the weather, the worse it is.

I asked a bongo garage about this and he said it would be the fuel pump seals letting in air when they are cold and a bit shrunk, and quoted £240 for a fix.

does anyone have experience of this, should i trust that I've been given good advice and pay up. i can bear the situation, just in the summer, but cant face it next winter.

thanks all

Hi

There is a banjo filter somewhere, this being cleaned can help, but I forget where I have seen it and cannot rember where it is. Never fear, some expert will soon be here to solve your problems.

yes there is a small filter if you remove the banjo bolt that connects the fuel line to the pump these are always dirty but to be honest it does sound like seals in the pump


also there is a valve on the side of the pump this should move when started from cold to increese the engine speed check that is is working

Sounds like the glowplugs to me. The glowplugs run on a cycle till the engine has warmed thoroughly,if one or more of the plugs have had it, this could cause the symptoms you describe.

Re: the suggestion it may be the glowplugs. I very much doubt that is the cause as I have recently installed a switch to manually control them (modification in the fact sheets).

I have the glowplugs on only for the first few seconds of the start when the engine is cold - after that the engine runs as sweet as can be.

Doug wrote:Re: the suggestion it may be the glowplugs. I very much doubt that is the cause as I have recently installed a switch to manually control them (modification in the fact sheets).

I have the glowplugs on only for the first few seconds of the start when the engine is cold - after that the engine runs as sweet as can be.

Have you tried leaving them on for rather longer to see if the stalling problem disappears. I'm sure Dandywarhol said that as designed, they stay on much longer than the first few seconds, presumably to make sure the engine is nicely alight and doesn't cut out. Could just be the problem (let's hope)

Mine was a b****r to start in the cold, last January. Now it starts first time bit lumpy at first, but soon warms up. This is probably the glow plugs. Must change them.

Sounds exactly like the fuel pump seals (from bitter personal experience)

I'd check the filter in the banjo first though (I found mine was perfectly clean)...then check for itermittant drip of derv from the bottom/back of the fuel pump just after shutdown.

There is a really good factsheet on changing the seals on the site somewhere...I printed it off and gave it to my garage boss who promtly handed it to his apprentice who has little hands.

Job done in 45 minutes (I supplied the two relevent seals...available from most giesel specialists..they win't know what a bongo is...just tell them they are the same as for a Ford Ranger...apparently they are always leaking.

Jobb cost me £45 including the seals.

H

If you are experiencing lack of power when cold I would also do a compression test on the cylinders.Normaly choked filter cause problems with fuel starvation at higher speeds.

I had a problem during the winter where the engine would fire up fine, but would then die in a cloud of smoke at the first junction, or before it got out of the drive. It would usually start & run after a bit of churning. I assumed glowplugs, but someone on the forum suggested the battery. Since the battery was only a 65AmpH one I changed it for a 90AmpH one & have had no problems since. Of the problem might come back when it gets colder again........

Do ya reckon the 65a/h hour battery was too weak too supply the necessary current to the glowplugs rhod?

Doug wrote:Re: the suggestion it may be the glowplugs. I very much doubt that is the cause as I have recently installed a switch to manually control them (modification in the fact sheets).

I have the glowplugs on only for the first few seconds of the start when the engine is cold - after that the engine runs as sweet as can be.

Interesting, is that in all weather's doug?

For early morning starts I turn the ignition on, wait for the noise of the relay clicking of; about 15 secs, and have no problems with starting. Also a good 5 - 10 min warm up to make sure that the gearbox changes up as usual and all is well. Once the Bong has been used it's back to switch on and start as soon as the light goes out.
Pete.

BDC wrote

Do ya reckon the 65a/h hour battery was too weak too supply the necessary current to the glowplugs rhod?

Possibly. Others on the forum have noted that the glowplug light comes on briefly after the engine has started, when the battery is weak. Mine did before I changed the battery, but hasn't since. I've had no starting issues since upgrading the battery, but then again the problem only occurred during the colder weather....

Rhod

In reply to the Bigdaddycain - I can't vouch for the glowplugs 'On Time' in cold weather as I only did the modification recently. I have gone thro' 2 winters with with only 2 or 3 working until repaired and know how difficult it can be to start when cold. I'll just have to wait until the cold returns - the good thing is that the mod gives complete control over how long you keep them on.