Bongo Fury

We have had some really bad luck with our Bongo and wonder if anyone can give us any idea of what the damage might be...
We got crashed into in August and the bongo was in the garage until this week as they were waiting on an aircon part (the impact smashed up the ducting on the drivers side). It was fixed (no decals replaced) but on starting at the garage it ran a bit rough - a lot of vibration at tickover. I didn't think too much about it as the vehicle had been unused for two and a half months. However on driving for four and a half minutes (I timed the distance later in our grotty old landrover) the engine showed as hot (needle right over to the right). I pulled over and had a look. The engine didn't smell overheated and when I went to check the coolant level (which was fine) I opened the reservoir carefully - it was pressurized but cold. When the AA turned up about 30 minutes later the block read at 95 degrees C and the bottom engine hose was empty.

We are dealing with insurers now as something has clearly been done to the car at the garage (it was fine when it went in - in fact it was collected by the garage and driven over 20 miles without a problem). I can only assume that they thought they had to drain the coolant for some reason and then realised they didn't but didn't fill it back up properly.

The bongo is now with our local garage who service a number of bongos and know what the are doing -and I am waiting for their diagnosis.

So to the question: how much damage can you do in four and a half minutes from cold. The engine has slick 50 in it, so I don't know if that would have helped at all.

And, worst case scenario, is it even possible to source another engine - given I can get someone to pay for it. We're really annoyed - a simple crash repair has turned into a real nightmare.

Any thoughts would be most welcome.

Sounds like its not been bled properly, its a bit of a fiddle on these things to get right. A regular mechanic wouldn't have a clue.


Theres a factsheet in the members area on here on how to do it or a local techie may well help you out for the price of a pint.

Unlikely any damage has been done in such a short time but suggest you don't drive it until its been sorted.

Welcome to the fold, keep us posted.

shadow,
sorry to hear your news
When I bought mine back in early 07 my friend and 25 years a mechanic serviced it for me, we did not know at the time about bleeding it anyway as he drove it back the temp gauge shot up to max I then found out about bleeding and removed the air well to cut a long story short that was 20,000 miles in 18 month ago

Check the water pump and thermostat thats all I can think of for now, hope all turns out well

PS welcome on board

Almost certainly a 'bleeding' problem.

Had too many myself over thge three years of ownership.

Have a look at my 'Day of highs and lows' thread on bongo chat. It may give you some comfort.

Get it bled properly and see how it goes but tell the repairers and perhaps your insurers that you have ongoing potential problems.

It would help if you put your location on your profile as there may be an experienced member in your area who can help with a diagnosis.

Good luck.

H

Hi Everyone,
thanks for your suggestions and the warm welcome, as for location we are in cornwall, there does seem to be quite a few Bongos down here, we are hoping to get to know a few Bongonaughts through the site, we have had the Bongo over two years trouble free until now. will keep you posted, hopefully we might find out something of use to someone else in a similar position.

Hi there I am also in cornwall and would be happy to come and show you the bleeding process just hit me back let me know.

Chrisd2211


p.s Welcome its bloody good around Here!! Trust me I know

thanks Chris, we'll take you up on that - looking forward to finding out a bit more about what goes on aroundandabout the forums

Welcome shadow and sorry to hear about the bad luck. Can't add much to the above except that you could do with establishing that the garage did drain the system and refill it incompetently as if things get nasty, then by any natural justice they should be paying for it and not you. It might be best to rehearse that scenarionow just in case, and have a contingency plan in place (Citizens Advice, Local Trading Standards - just an informal inquiry, garage not named for now but just to find out where you stand).

With any luck no damage has been done. But the garage need to understand that if something starts to case problems over the next few months that has a strong causal link with failure to bleed / overheating, then you'll be looking for redress.

It's unfortunate and being stroppy with them is not the right tactic (they didn't mean to do it) but it doesn't alter the facts; they need to be presented calmly but firmly!

Good luck - keep us posted

Mike

HI folks - just thought I would give a quick update. Bongo is back at last. the garage couldn't find anything wrong but checked for blockages and refilled and bled the system. So far so good, temp gauge up to about 5 to 12 and staying steady under various conditions. Haven't done any distance yet but it seems to be okay. Looks like we got away without any harm being done.

All a bit mysterious really. Thanks for your advice. It was so good to mug and wave at other bongos again...

shadow wrote:HI folks - just thought I would give a quick update. Bongo is back at last. the garage couldn't find anything wrong but checked for blockages and refilled and bled the system. So far so good, temp gauge up to about 5 to 12 and staying steady under various conditions. Haven't done any distance yet but it seems to be okay. Looks like we got away without any harm being done.

All a bit mysterious really. Thanks for your advice. It was so good to mug and wave at other bongos again...

Good news and fingers crossed that will be an end to it

You might want to consider investing in the Mason Alarm (£27 and simple to fit) so your temp gause gives true readouts of varying engine temp (the standard gauge is damped and doesn't move to hot until things are almost out of hand). Also the low coolant warning alarm (around £70) for peace of mind against coolant loss.

good advice - sounds like a very good idea. Thanks.