Bongo Fury

Sorry if this has been asked before, but does the exhaust brake (retarder) actually do anything? It would appear that mine has been seized solid for all the time I've had my Bongo so now I've removed it. Is this OK ? Will my brakes fail? Will my world come to a sticky end? Will I increase my contribution to global warming?
Seriously, if they are seized, removing them must be an improvement - a half opened butterfly valve in an exhaust system can't be good for economy or performance surely?
Cheers!

Are you sure its not the EGR valve you've disarmed?

If thats the case its not a problem, many others have.

Apostrophe wrote:Sorry if this has been asked before, but does the exhaust brake (retarder) actually do anything? It would appear that mine has been seized solid for all the time I've had my Bongo so now I've removed it. Is this OK ? Will my brakes fail? Will my world come to a sticky end? Will I increase my contribution to global warming?
Seriously, if they are seized, removing them must be an improvement - a half opened butterfly valve in an exhaust system can't be good for economy or performance surely?
Cheers!

Do you mean the cold start system fitted to Bongos from the frozen north of Japan?

That is a butterfly in the exhaust system as I understand it.

Does your Bongo have two batteries? as they also come with the "winter pack"

Think that you have sussed it Scanner.....................

Well, sounds like that's what it is then...I thought it was an exhaust brake - same as fitted to trucks etc. You know, the thingy that turns the engine into a sort of compressor on over-run to assist with engine braking. just goes to show how a little knowledge can be dangerous!!! And yes, I do have two batteries!

How have you removed it, Apostrophe?

I though that it was fixed in the system and the only way to remove it was to fit a new box.

Tim

I think the standard mod is to fix it open, rather than remove it. Worth while as it is not needed in UK temps, and can fail.

Do you know how you do that bob, or anyone, if its fixed into the exhaust?

Yep, removed mine as the pipe into it had fractured. The unit basically had it's own kind of 'manifold' with a flange at each end and sat about a foot in front of the flexi pipe forward of the exhaust box. We replaced it by cutting it out and replacing with a formed length of st/st pipe welded to one of the flanges. All that was left to do was blank off the vacuum hose.

Thanks, I'll look into that.

Tim