Bongo Fury

We've only had the Bongo a week and are finding its quirks gradually.

There are a few noticable noises, the most prominent being the boot banging around. The rubber stoppers were missing, but I've just got hold of some replacements. The banging is still pretty annoying though! The latch seems to squeek a bit as well.

Is there a simple fix to this?

There's also a hissy, slightly squeeling noise from the engine area. I can't figure if it's the turbo or the fan / alternator belts. They were checked for tension when we had the timing belt done last week. Any thoughts?

We've also got a bit of knocking when clattering over bumps, but from reading other posts, it sound like a drop link issue.

Thanks in advance.

Dom

I have the same trouble from time to time. The back knocks about sounding like there's suspension trouble. After a few years use, not much seems to fit like new.

I find a fairly firm slam to the back door usually sorts it out though.

Just another quirk I've grown used to.

Was it a dream, or did I read on here of someone coming up with a couple of neat homemade extra buffers that fitted in the bottom corners of the tailgate area (could they have fitted in those circular holes in the bumper. Really can't remember but have a search. But it should all be sortable with latch adjustment and original stoppers. Although mine sounds a bit tinny on closing, it never complains when I'm driving.

Hissing noise - no idea. Best lift the engine covers and go hunting.

Clonkng - almost certainly droplinks AND antiroll bar bushes

Good old Bongos - doncha just love 'em

PS -ours cruised back from Leeds to Manchester late last night on an almost deserted M62. Even my wife said what a lovely drive it was in the mighty Bongo. I reckon it turned in 32-34 mpg as well.

I freaked when i heard a banging when we went over bumps...it was the roof bit...er hatch jumping up and down...so my 5 year old son pointed out
I find if I go at 70mph the roof makes a funny noise...least I think it's the roof...so stick to 65 and no noise
If all else fails I turn the stereo up

It was Scanner who posted the tip about fixing black sticky-backed pads to the recesses where the tailgate bump stops go. I actually fixed mine by cutting out pieces of sticky-backed velcro as supplied with the Mason alarm.

If all else fails I turn the stereo up

Ah - my wifes favourite trick! It works though and the stereo's pretty good.

I'll try sticking some extra rubber bits in the locating holes in the bumper and see if that makes a difference. I've also noticed that boot latch seems to rub on something since it's worn to bare metal in places.

Ta
Dom

Hi Dom, the extra buffers will only work if the original rubber buffers are fitted to the tailgate though, the extra buffers that stick into the recesses in the rear bumper just "take up the slack". If it's a nice tight fit,then the rear squeak shoud dissapear too,as the tailgate is sitting tighter onto its securing latch,and not squirming around on it....

I find the back door never shuts first time with all the others shut and windows,I think it must be air pressure in the bus it works fine second time, or as MM says give some welly and slam it down

Sparky

There's 2 'positions' or stages for the latch to be closed in. Mine rattled because it was only closing in the 'first position'. Try opening the bootlid and operating the latch with a screwdriver or something similar - you'll see it clicks into a 'latched' position. Then push it a bit more and it clicks round a bit further still. That's what I mean by the 'first' and 'second' position.

I moved the 'hook' part (the bit bolted to the floor) back a bit (towards the back of the vehicle), which allows the latch to close in its' 'second position', and is nice and snug.

It needs a pretty firm push when closing, but the rattle's gone!

Phil

Top Tip Ex.

Veg_Ian wrote:It was Scanner who posted the tip about fixing black sticky-backed pads to the recesses where the tailgate bump stops go. I actually fixed mine by cutting out pieces of sticky-backed velcro as supplied with the Mason alarm.

Well remembered Veg and apologies to scanner - it all comes back to me now (but only for a short while before it vanishes again )

you're welcome Mr. M

....but actually these are top tips:

http://www.cosc.brocku.ca/~bross/personal/vtTips.html
http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2006 ... ips-p1.php

still, not as good as they used to be, eh?

Phil

Great - I shall be looking at that tonight.

Is the hissy engine noise just the turbo kicking in at 2000 rpm? I found the clamps that hold the seats/engine covers down stretch out a bit over time, allowing it to be heard more, try bending them in a bit so they clamp up tighter.
could be a manifold stud?

Great tip on the boot. It now closes properly. I found that climbing inside made it easier to align the latch mechanism centrally to the 'n' section on the chassis. Good job.

I haven't tracked down the hiss yet, but I'll have a go soon. One clamp is indeed a bit loose though, so it's worth checking that's tight first.