Bongo Fury

Looking at the big hose under the drivers seat (no idea what its name is) it looks like it has a grainy surface on the bend and seems a bit softer to squeeze than the rest of the pipe. It seems to look the same when engine is hot and cold and I don't lose any coolant yet (I check the exp tank most days).

The two close ups make the pipe look like they are bulging a lot more then they actually are but the further away shot shows a better perspective. Ignore the red tint to the hoses, I cleaned them with a cloth which later revealed has red car wax on it.

Cold Engine

Hot Engine

Distance shot (hot)

jees if i were you , id treat myself to a new one

flippa wrote:jees if i were you , id treat myself to a new one

I thought you might say that

I'll have save some pennies and hope it's ok for the short terms and keep and eye on the expansion tank. I'll probably replace the whole lot rather than drain the coolant for just one hose.

That hose looks like its been on a crash diet, and developed stretch marks!

Not worth chancing it i'd have thought, sack the hose before it quits!

Here's the next step.................... I'd change it!

I might have to prioritise this hose and do the others at a later date then!

Who's going to change it ???? and do they REALLY know how to bleed it when it's fitted??? Vital

I may do it myself and follow the fact sheet or I might chicken out and take it to a garage. There's a Bongo friendly garage (on the list) not far away called Ettingtons of Inkford (nr Long Marston/stratford) who claims he has serviced/repaired 100's of bongo's for a company that used to import them who were based nearby (dunno who). He seems to know of the unique bleeding required for the Bongo and says he has done many.

We have a trip to France planned in august and I am currently working through all of the things that could go wrong. I bought a spare aircon and alternator belt plus a spare bulb kit at the bash just in case i need to replace them over there. Not to mention a printout of the fact sheets, a bottle of antifreeze and a flourscent yellow vest.

Currently from staring vacantly into the engine bay my only concerns are this hose and a squeaky aircon belt (squeaks when not engaged, stops squeaking when engaged) hence the decision to buy belts although i'll try a squirt of WD40 on the old one for now.

Good luck with the hose change Mr halibut, that hose does look a little fishy, if you do decide to tackle the job yourself, check out the fact sheets for various bleed techniques....

All the techniques have the same result, it's just how you get there...

I think i'll have a crack at it myself and order the 4 pipe set, or possibly go the whole hog and order a full set! I can't decide...

Mr Halibut wrote:I think i'll have a crack at it myself and order the 4 pipe set, or possibly go the whole hog and order a full set! I can't decide...

Go the whole hog, you will only need to bleed and replace the coolant once then.

Yep, i'd go along with that suggestion... No point in watching the gauge like a hawk twice in one year!

I have llots of questions:
Has anyone else replaced all of the hoses? How difficult is it, do you need to jack it up or can you get away without?

I'll go run some forum searches and start preparing.

Make yourself a brew, and settle down with a full pack of digestives to digest this comprehensive thread...

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... se#p135319

Well, after lots of reading and going back out to stare at my engine again I am going to buy the 4 main hoses to begin with and a coolant level alarm. I can't afford any more than this at the moment so the rest will have to wait for another day (next coolant change) at least the alarm will inform me of any others if they give up before I get around to replacing them.

How tight do the clips have to be? I am a bugger for overtightening things and breaking them.